Sunset at Scotts Beach, Kahurangi National Park

The southern end of the well-known Heaphy Track, linking the northern West Coast to Golden Bay, traverses a 15-kilometre stretch of wild, remote coast from the Heaphy River in the north to the Kohaihai Rover in the south. Despite its southerly latitude the coast here imparts a subtropical feel to the visitor, thanks to relatively warm ocean currents and the thousands of nikau palms that grace the often precipitous coastal hills and cliffs. Granite rock dominates the coast, forming rampart-like headlands separated by long stretches of coarse, golden-yellow sand. Being fully exposed to the west means that this coast is rarely without its characteristic booming West Coast swells, surging energetically over granite outcrops and constantly reworking the sandy beaches even after long periods of calm weather.

This midwinter sunset photograph was taken at low tide just a few kilometres north of the Kohaihai River, looking southwards from the bouldery northern end of Scott’s Beach.