Nape Nape Beach

Great for a day trip from Christchurch. We came for a very rainy and windy visit but was still enjoyable. The cliffs and rocks are quite unusual and it's worth roaming around the trees (on the beach side of the fence) to see some of the large rocks. But be conscious of the seals, we almost stepped on one and were about as startled as the barking seal. The surf was wild and raging while we were there but even on a nice day I wouldn't recommend swimming.

Nape Nape is a scenic coastal reserve with spectacular limestone cliffs and one of the few remnants of coastal native forest in the district. It is not uncommon to see seals surfing the waves and basking in the sun on the beach. The seals will happily co-exist with the primates (humans). If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. This reserve comprises rare native ecological fauna. The coastal forest includes ngāio (Myoporum laetum), akeake (Dodonea viscosa), puka (Griselinia lucida) and kawakawa (Piper excelsum) with ferns and small shrub species, set amongst a backdrop of limestone cliffs and talus slopes. Nape Nape is also an important archaeological site of early Maori occupation. Limestone, is a sedimentary rock abundant in New Zealand which consists mainly of the bones and shells of tiny marine fossils. The parliamentary building in the capital city of Wellington was "intended to give the people of New Zealand a public building to be proud of, built of splendid materials" found in NZ. Coromandel granite was used as the base while Kairuru marble was used in the construction from the first floor up. Marble is metamorphosed limestone. The limestone that has been formed in New Zealand is mainly in late Eocene to Oligocene time, 25–40 million years ago when much of the New Zealand region was submerged beneath the sea. New Zealand was once covered almost entirely by a shallow sea. Signposted on SH1 10km north of Great Valley. Take Stonyhurst Road and Blythe Road to Nape Nape Road and beach. It’s a half hour drive on gravel roads from the main highway. Alternatively take the Hurunui Mouth Road from Domett on SH1 and then south on Blythe Road to Nape Nape Road.

Lovely beach off the beaten track. Lots of seals and interesting rock formations and a summoning cliff at the beach end.

Great ride and awesome riding on thick beach pebbles for the adventurous or those wanting to hone thier skills.

Great place to relax and meditation