We Found a Dead Whale on a Hidden Beach in New Zealand

We found a dead whale on a hidden beach in New Zealand, but reaching it meant taking on our longest and toughest hike yet. This adventure takes us beyond Akaroa to Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula, where we hike through regenerating native bush, pass waterfalls, follow steep forest tracks, and make our way all the way down to the coast with our Kiwi mates Luke and Isaac. Along the trail, the boys jump into a freezing waterfall pool, we learn more about the reserve from the signs along the way, and we try some proper Kiwi hiking fuel: RJ’s chocolate-filled liquorice. When we finally reach the beach for lunch, we discover a whale carcass washed ashore. We also find baleen, the flexible plates some whales use to filter krill and other small food from the water. Then comes the hardest part, climbing all the way back out and revealing the distance and elevation from our biggest New Zealand hike so far. Have you explored Hinewai Reserve, Banks Peninsula, or the tracks beyond Akaroa? Let us know your favourite hidden walks and local places in the comments. Keep exploring, and thanks for joining us on The Scenic Route. 0:00 We Found a Whale 1:00 The Road Beyond Akaroa 1:20 Arriving at Hinewai Reserve 2:15 Into the Native Bush 3:40 Pepper Plant Stinging Nettle 4:40 Loo for Poo 5:30 Boar Hunting 6:30 Small Waterfall 7:20 One Person Bridge 9:10 Tarps Off at the Waterfall Swimming Hole 11:00 Cascade 12:30 Vegemite & Marmite 13:20 RJ's licorice 13:55 We went the hard way (Jigaba's Directions) 14:55 Stung by Stinging Nettle 15:40 Tui Bird 16:10 The Beach 17:00 Lunch on a Hidden Beach 17:45 A Whale Washed Ashore 19:25 Science With Isaac 19:30 Finding the Whale’s Baleen 20:50 The Moist-ening 21:30 The Brutal Climb Back Out 23:55 Angelina the Explorer 25:55 Angelina Down 26:40 Our Longest Hike Yet 28:30 Keep Exploring #NewZealand #HiddenBeach #BanksPeninsula