2012/13 - South Island, NZ (Part 2 - The Catlins)
To a pristine forest area on the south eastern corner.
Monday 31 December 2012 - Tuesday 1 January 2013
View
2012 South Island NZ
on nzhamsta's travel map.
Monday 31 December
After leaving Dunedin, I drove towards to Catlins, an area of superb scenery in the very south eastern corner of the South Island. The weather was changeable but I managed to see the major sights and sites. Kaka Point is a popular holiday destination and has a very important penguin breeding ground nearby. The yellow eyed penguins are native to the area and are quite rare.
Kaka Point beach.
The lifeguard on duty at Kaka Point beach.
Seals at Nugget Point.
Roaring Bay.
A yellow eyed penguin.
The same yellow eyed penguin.
The yellow eyed penguin heading towards her nest.
I stayed in the village of Owaka at the YHA. It used to be a hospital and then an old folks home, giving it that institutional feel. It had that usual mix of interesting visitors, including an American cycling everywhere and the usual weird old guy.
Tuesday 1 January
I stopped at Purakaunui Falls and a couple of other places but the rain precluded any photos. Curio Bay is an interesting place, hence its name I suppose. It is a fossilised forest that has been exposed by the sea over time. It also has penguins,
The river heading towards Purakaunui Falls.
Purakaunui Falls.
Purakaunui Falls.
Curio Bay.
Penguins coming ashore at Curio Bay.
I carried onto Invercargill for a late lunch and to do some shopping before I caught the ferry to Oban on Stewart Island. The crossing was a bit bumpy but otherwise fine.
.
Posted by nzhamsta 12:00 Archived in New Zealand
