Jacks Bay Retreat

20/04/2026

Image from my perch

18/04/2026

Had a few visitors today, but I would have to say this sweet wee sea lion would have to be the best.
Or do I say more unforgettable and rear.

10/04/2026

Stunning morning Jacks Bay Retreat

03/04/2026

Italian Easter Bread
Our wee treat to celebrate Easter.
Yum!

30/03/2026

An abundance of our New Zealand fairy tern are here on Jacks Bay beach today. Too many to count and I have never seen so many here at one time ever before.
Delight to see, watch and walk along side. Favorite sea bird.

30/03/2026

Always a great ride from Jacks Bay around Catlins Lake, into Owaka and back to Jacks Bay. Can ride this circuit either way. Today I left in calm conditions, fresh with the sun just coming up out over the sea creating a picture of beauty arriving back to full bright sunshine completing 32 kilometers. Visited the latest Art Exhibition too at the Owaka Museum, well worth the stop.

14/03/2026

Catlins 54k Bike Ride I left Jacks Bay Retreat and headed over the Hina Hina Bridge, on reaching tarseal took a right turn to Catlins River Bridge. Have extra options to ride into Pounawea and back and also once over bridge you can take another right which will take you to New Haven. This would extend your ride quite a bit.
I took the left turn following on Duttons Road. You have the Owaka River on your left and you go past numerous whitebate stands. Take a right turn onto the main Owaka Highway, up passed Tunnel Hill Reserve. You can stop and take the walk through the old railway tunnel. Down the hill to the Monument turning right onto Ahuriri Flat Road.
You change from tarseal after a number of ks and onto gravel.
Take first right which is Cannibal Bay Road 4 ks of undulation on a very good narrow gravel road and such a tranquil and enjoyable section to ride. Opens up and you have great views of farming country out to the sea on your left all way towards Nuggets. Continue to the top and the next views straight in front of you are out across native farm land to Surat Bay and beyond all the way towards Jacks Bay.
Whizz down rest of the way to beautiful Cannibal Bay. Toilet stop and suggest walking the beach and go all the way to the end and over sand dunes to Surat Bay then return. Some may like to ride this beach but not me with my bike.
Continue on Cannibal Bay Road undulating for 8ks to main road and be conscious of oncoming cars and campervans aa well as vehicles from behind you.
Turn left onto Owaka Main Road and you can head into Owaka for food & drinks, Museum visit and explore shops before heading to Hina Hina Bridge and left back to Jacks Bay your starting point.
Such an enjoyable ride.

05/03/2026

Jacks Bay

05/03/2026

Bike Ride from Jacks Bay, Hina Hina road, Lake Side Road low tide look out for all the wading birdlife, left onto Purakanui Road, right Warnock Road, left Papatowai Highway, right onto Puketiro Road, gorgeous bush, right Tawanui Road through more bush with the sounds of the river and bird song, Clutha Valley Road, left back onto Papatowai Highway, right Purakanui Road, then a left onto Lakeside Road, Hina Hina and back to Jacks Bay.
Awesome way to explore Catlins.

03/03/2026

02/03/2026

Natural Kelp Art created by nature here at Jacks Bay

04/02/2026

Low tide here at Jacks Bay today I discovered these beauties in and around the kelp and rocks.
Water was really warm too.