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Down the steps at the back of The Store there is a small beach with a large rock, home to a few local seals. They seem happy enough but don't get too close!!
The walk takes about 10 minutes there and back with the ability to get onto the rock itself at low tide. As already mentioned, be wary of the seals as they are rather territorial.
Updated Nov 29, 2007
Address: Beach below The Store
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It's a very peacful area with great views up the coast towards Ward and down the coast to the Kaikoura peninsula
Written Nov 5, 2005
Address: Kekerengu
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Let them sleep in peace, without worrying about us two-legged creatures. They really do love to sunbathe.
And they smell a bit, so don't get too close.
Written Feb 25, 2003
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Please don't try to get this close, I used a telephoto lens from the viewing area.
Wherever you are in coastal New Zealand there are seagulls, very much a part of life down here.
Written Feb 25, 2003
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Just about 30 kms south of Kekerengu on the main highway, and before you get into Kaikoura, heading south, you can stop at Ohau Point and view the colony of bull seals. Only males here, they are very close to the road, and lookout. Please don't be tempted to go in amongst them, human intrusion should be kept to a minimum. Besides they can be dangerous and are a LOT faster at moving than they look! They smell pretty foul as well...
Written Feb 25, 2003
What's wrong with the service industry in NZ?
The expression "service in New Zealand" used to be a bit of an oxymoron.
Fortunately this has changed of late and continues to improve.
However there are still some remaining outposts of the "we don't give a rat's arse" style of hospitality service that personified New Zealand twenty years ago. The Store at Kekerengu is one such place.
Don't ask for water...
Our visit to The Store at Kekerengu was the culmination of a long overdue weekend away together sans children. We'd had a brilliant time, watched a rugby international and decided to round it all off with lunch at Kekerengu.
After lining up for some time (they were rather busy to be fair) I ordered soup for my wife and a chicken/brie pie for myself.
I then rather foolishly asked for water. It became apparant at this point that water is not something they 'do' at Kekerengu. This was reinforced by the stout female maitre-de announcing to me (and the rest of the restaurant) that "we don't give out water". They do however conform to other restaurant protocols as most dish prices were the equivalent of a good restaurant main. Thus chastened (and feeling very foolish) I retreated to our table to wait for our meals.
How was the food?
The meals arrived in good time. The reason for the speed became apparent as I attempted to cut into my pie, which resisted very gamely any attempts to divulge it's contents. The reason being that 3 minutes previously it had been resting in a chilled cabinet and was now hot (very) by virtue of spending 3 minutes in a microwave oven. Soggy and rubbery pretty much sums up the result. I don't know about you but I would generally expect better than this when I pay $7 for a pie. My wife's "Market fresh soup" bore a striking resemblance to Watties "special soup for one pumpkin" soup which I often have for lunch at work.
We had planned to finish with coffee and cake after (the reason we wanted water to start) but after the surly brusque service we were happy to leave without further custom.
Favorite Dish: Hard to say...
One inedible pie and a plate of very ordinary soup.
Updated Jul 10, 2006
Address: The Store, Kekerengu SH1
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This place is really a rest-stop but it has grown into so much more. A few years ago it was a very basic affair but now it is almost a 'must stop' place especially if you are going to from Christchurch to Picton. I usually avoid the traffic of Kaikoura and make my rest stop The Store at Kekerengu - so much more relaxing and the food is a whole lot better (well it was last time).
Favorite Dish: Take your pick - stacks of nice food & wine to choose from.
Written Oct 12, 2005
Address: Main Road, Kekerengu
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You must stop here, whether just for coffee or for a full meal.
The ambience and the coastal setting set it apart from anywhere else. Nicely situated when you are about ready to have a rest from driving.
The food is modern and takes in to account the local seafood.
Updated Dec 25, 2002
Address: State Highway One, Kekerengu, Marlborough, NZ.
Phone: 64 - 3 - 575 8600
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You can't miss this place as it is full of salt hills. The crew let the sea in & then let evaporation do its thing - salt for everyone plus the by-products gypsum and caustic soda. This place is North of Kekerengu approx 20 minutes
Written Oct 12, 2005
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Favorite thing: If you are like me and you enjoy relaxing in the sun then you will like Kekerengu. There is very little here to do except, once you have bought something to eat at The Store, sit and eat in the sun.
There are a few nooks and crannys to explore around the area including the steps down to the beach level and the nice gardens which are part of The Store.
It all depends on your ultimate goal but a quiet relax with food & drink here will set you up to do more xciting things down the road at Kaikoura where whales and other delights await.
Written Dec 17, 2006
A one shop stop with a few Seals
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