Birgit im Abenteuerland ...

Day 14 (30.1.2013): The Catlins

Yeah, I’m still here, it’s truly awesome. All the backpackers seemed to be fully booked last night, so I treated myself to a night in a b’n’b.

As the b’n’b had direct beach access I started my day with a walk along the beach of Porpoise Bay. Followed by a 2.5hr adventurous waterfall wilderness hike at Waipohatu. Awesome! Have I mentioned that I love rainforest? :D

Next I made my way to Slope Point, New Zealand’s most southerly point. Now I have seen both, the most northerly point Cape Reienga in 2002 and the most southerly point Slope Point just today.

Next over to Waipapa Point which has a beautiful lighthouse and sea lions!

Tonight I try again for some penguin spotting … and was very successful. Three penguins made it very close to the viewpoint.

Finally, curio bay treated us with an awesome sunset.

Day 13 (29.1.2013): The Catlins

I love costal rainforest! The lush green, heaps of fern & moss, and waterfalls!

Was a big day today, but a great one!

Cathedral Cave:

Sea-made caves/ caverns, more or less wide and long, accessible only at low tide.

Nice walk through costal rainforest, then along the beach in loose sand.

Matai & Horseshoe Falls:

Again nice walk through rainforest which was topped off by two waterfalls – some more opportunity for slow water pictures.

Catlin River Walkway:

2hr hike along the catlin river in costal rainforest – again. This is so beautiful J

McLean Waterfall:

Last waterfall of the day ;) also very worthwhile doing.

Penguin spotting at the “Petrified Forest” in Curio Bay in the evening. Seen quite some only in the far distance, but one little fellow walked by pretty close. Looks rather exhausting how he makes his way walking through the rocks with the pinnacles and then hopping from rock to rock till he reaches his nest in the beginning bushes. The “Petrified Forest” is named after a very rare occasion when some trees were made to stone within months.

Day 12 (28.1.12013): Dunedin to the Catlins

In the morning - a short drive to the north of town - I visited the world’s steepest street – unbelievable, wonder why they build something like that – especially as they do get snow in winter and according to my host in Dunedin “they don’t manage this steep roads with snow, traffic just breaks down then”.

Then I took the “Southern Scenic Drive” to make my way to the Catlins.

First stop: Tunnels Beach, a secluded beach accessible by a man-made tunnel which was build about 150 years ago by a man who wanted to have a private beach and his daughters to be able to go for a swim unseen by others.

Second stop, or rather detour: Nugget Point, which has a nice walkway that leads to the lighthouse. From the walking path I was able to watch some fur seals and dolphins in the bay nearby.

Day 10 (26.1.12013): Queenstown to Dunedin

First stop Arrowtown. A little town near Queenstown that makes you feel like being in the wild, wild west (ok, besides the cars and other modern amenities ;).

Day 11 (27.1.12013): Dunedin & Otago Peninsula

After a good breakfast at the “kitchen table” I explored the city starting at the octagon for some free wifi and the town hall via the train station until the University of Otago with its beautiful buildings. In the afternoon I drive along the bay on the Otago peninsula with stunning views over the bay and Dunedin. At the very end, the outer tip of the peninsula is the “Albatross Center” where you can see one of the biggest colonies of these huge birds. I make my way back on some gravel roads via Swan Lake and Stephens Beach watching a sea lion. Arriving Sandfly Bay just by 9pm which is unfortunately a little bit too late for the penguins. This is actually a different breed of penguins (yellow eyed) which comes in before sunset – in contrary to the blue/ little penguins which come back to shore at dark. Well, next to the Catlins where I will have heaps of chances to see penguins!