Less busy, very scenic entrance

This entrance is my pick. It’s where the locals choose for a reason. Less tour buses and heeeeps less people. You ideally need 2-3 hours to get the best out of this route. There's some up and down involved.
I wouldn’t choose this entrance is if it’s blowing a snotty southerly wind, you're less physically mobile, or if you just want to see seals and have very little time. The North entrance provides quicker and easier access to seals.
The ideal option is a circular loop that’s 60% up high and 40% down low, in the seal zone.
You start gaining height and walk for around 20 mins until a viewpoint. Then a track that heads down to the coast. Prime seal viewing territory down here.
Wander this cracker coastline until the North carpark entrance where you can head up to the plateau again with top views as you head back.
You can choose to walk further along the walkway too. It’s mainly paddocks or near roads and not worth it for me. While this one is such a highlight and one of the best places in NZ to see seals (many hundred of them in fact :)