McCracken's Rest: A Scenic Lookout
McCracken's Rest is a picturesque lookout and rest area perched on a cliff edge, offering stunning views of Te Waewae Bay. Located along the Southern Scenic Route, it is the first spot where travellers from Tuātapere can glimpse the bay. This rest area is named after Robert and David McCracken, the landowners who generously provided the site. You can enjoy informative panels detailing the area's natural features and marine life, a colourful signpost adorned with stickers, and picnic tables for a break.
Breathtaking Views and Natural Wonders
On a clear day, McCracken's Rest offers views of the Solander Islands, which are the eroded remnants of a volcano that formed around one million years ago. According to Māori legend, these islands are the broken tooth and crumbs left by the whale, Kewa, as it carved out the land between Rakiura / Stewart Island and the mainland, forming Foveaux Strait.
To the west, you can see Sand Hill Point at the bay's end and the Hump Ridge. Looking southeast, Pahia Point and Rakiura / Stewart Island come into view. Additionally, the area is home to New Zealand's largest pod of Hector's dolphins (pōpoto), which can often be spotted frolicking in the waters.
How to Get There
To reach McCracken's Rest, travel along the Southern Scenic Route from Tuātapere to the north or Riverton to the east.
Nearby, you can also explore the beaches of the southern coast, including Gemstone Beach, Orepuki, Monkey Island, Cosy Nook and Colac Bay.
