Moody Morning at Misty Peaks Reserve

High above Akaroa, Misty Peaks Reserve is at the junction of Lighthouse Rd and Flea Bay Road on the Southeast ridge of the former volcanic crater.

I shot this on my way to Flea Bay/Pohatu, a marine reserve that is home to a white flippered penguin colony as well as seals, dolphins as well as other marine life.

After a the return trip down one of the hairiest roads on the peninsula (and that's saying something - I think it beats the Hickory Bay road for buttock clenching moments. Steep, shingle, very narrow with BIG dropoffs) I then turned back on myself for the drive down the site of the old lighthouse at the eastern head of Akaroa harbour.

The old wooden lighthouse now stands in Akaroa after being relocated there, and a rather drab automatic station is in its place. Still the views out to sea and of the impressive cliffs and sea arches are something to behold.

The final leg of the journey home saw me stop at low tide at the Onawe Peninsula in the middle of Akaroa Harbour at Devauchelle. This was once a maori pa site and with its strategic position surrounded by water it's easy to see why. The rock formations at low tide really are fantastic - the Onawe peninsula is at the very heart of the caldera, and is believed to be the source of the volcanics - so there's plenty of basalt stacks and rock pools for exploring. Just remember to check the tides if you're venturing out...