Sorry for being so out of touch but camping in rural New Zealand has limitations for internet connectivity. This post is a big catch up from the last one.
Thursday
Drove the scenic route to Moeraki beach to see the famous boulders … they are massive. The beach was lovely …loads of sea birds and fascinating bits of driftwood. It was a bit chilly though! Found the only tavern in town and were very relieved to find something we could eat and I Sampled yet another Sauvignon Blanc or ‘sav’ as it’s known locally. While we’re on the subject I’ve been enjoying the odd glass of Pinot Gris too!
We walked the millennium trail from the tavern that takes you up to a great view point and 5hen we decided to make it a circular walk and set off …needless to say, it was a longer walk than expected! We saw some resting seals along the route. Also found a restaurant up for sale and had a day dream about what could be done with it…🤔😂
Took a trip to Katiki point lighthouse and had a great walk out to see all the wildlife, seals, sea lions and so many different sea birds.
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| Not formed by the sea but by geology |
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| Cheeky sav for Mrs C and an AF for me |
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| Carb heavy lunch |
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| Fur seal |
Friday
Took the scenic route to Dunedin … took about 3.5 hours.
Explored Dunedin a bit and had lunch in a great little cafe. Spent ages in the settlers museum which was fascinating… could’ve spent hours there. A nice vibe in the town, lots of free things to do and some interesting historical buildings.
Drove onto the Otakou peninsular to find the Portobello campsite…home for 3 nights!
Beautiful drive alongside the ocean inlet in beautiful sunshine.
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| I think at this point in Dunedin we were 11908 miles from home |
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| Dunedin railway station |
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| Inside |
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| Punch card from the computer below. It dates from the early 1960s and was used to process payroll and invoices. |
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| On the way to our campsite |
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| Setting up camp |
Saturday
Decided to do a hike through the hills and forests. We got a bit lost and walked a few extra miles, but the spectacular scenery kept us going. Tricky climbing up forest banks and getting a bit bogged down in marshy ground and walking down a steep hill with waist high grass, but after 4 and a half hrs we arrived back at the car. Drove out to Pilot beach and had a walk and a look around the visitor centre… we learnt a lot about the albatrosses that can be seen there, but we didn’t see any.
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| Coffee to start the day |
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| Raine having a little house on the prairie moment 😂 |
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| It must be this way |
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| I’m not going down there unless I know it’s the right way |
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| View |
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| Pilot Beach conservation area. Loads of different birds, seals and sea lions. We didn’t see any albatross as they were out at sea feeding |
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| Saw nesting gulls though |
Sunday
Explored the local beaches, first Tomahawk Beach. We walked end to end barely seeing another person. We did see some welcome swallows though…cute little birds flitting along the rock face.
Just so peaceful paddling in the shallows, listening to the waves and feeling so small beside the ocean.
Took a drive to Baldwin Street, Dunedin; reputed to be the steepest street in the world. It was a steep climb I have to say!
Later went to Allans Beach, again spectacular and almost deserted …
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| Tomahawk bay. Very few people despite being a Sunday and only a few kilometres from Dunedin |
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| Look, no people |
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| I haven’t lost anything |
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| It was very steep. We just climbed up there |
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| Sea lion at Allan’s Bay. Apparently quite rare. |
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| A sleepy fur seal |
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| Allan’s Bay was stunning |
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| Useful advice 😂 |
Monday
Made the trip to Te Anau… another 3 and a a half hour drive taking us through more beautiful scenery on the presidential highway between Clinton and Gore. Stopped for a mosey round Gore and had some lunch. It took a while as we kept stopping to take in the views and take photos. Eventually got to the campsite and set up. Went for a walk by the lake, stopping for a drink on the way back…and the sun was still shining.
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| Saw a building being moved by road |
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| Historic Gore |
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| New camp |
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| Lake view |
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| After walk drink |
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| Alcohol free beer for me |
Tuesday
Early start to catch the boat for a 7 hour trip around Doubtful Sound. It was a fantastic experience… a little chilly to start with. The boat took us across lake Manapouri to meet a bus which then took us for a drive to catch the next boat for the trip through the sound. It was truly magnificent…we stood out on the front of the boat for a good view of everything, luckily it was a still day and the waters were calm. We were lucky enough to see a pod of Bottlenose dolphins: they wear swimming all round the boat… magical. Then we entered the Tasman sea where the waters had a mighty swell and it was too bumpy to move around so I was stuck at the front of the boat as we lurched across the waves. Eventually we came to a small island where seals were basking and playing…wonderful to see.
I was very relieved to be back in the sound and calmer waters. Our guide talked about the geological features, the wildlife and the history…so interesting.
Just before we docked we saw the dolphins again. There were so many there. They put on such a display for us!
We did the return journey by bus and boat.
We decided that was enough excitement for the day so read in the sun back at the tent …it was 26 degrees
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| Early start. Crossing Lake Manapouri on the first boat |
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The view from the land bridge
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| A bad picture of a Kea |
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| Starting out on Doubtful Sound |
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| Beautiful morning light |
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| That’s the Tasman sea out there |
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| The weather couldn’t have been better |
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| So still |
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| Adventurers |
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| Bottlenose dolphins |
Wednesday
Another epic journey from Te Anau to lake Wanaka. Beautiful going through the Crown Range pass. We made several stops along the way and found a deserted picnic spot for our lunch. Another really hot day- the car temperature gauge hit 28 degrees.
Arrived at Wanaka mid afternoon. Set up camp then headed out for a walk and a paddle in the lake. It’s a fabulous place with so many people out and about, paddling, canoeing, paddle boarding or just having a picnic. Later stopped at a pub for a drink before walking back to camp.
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| On the road again |
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| Enjoying a picnic lunch |
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| The view from the lunch stop |
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| Setting up camp |
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| Lake Wanaka |
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| The Wanaka Tree |
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| Sav for Mrs C and hazy alcohol free for me |
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| Partridge and chick at the campsite |
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| Partridge |
Thursday
We hired some bikes today and cycled around the east side of the lake along the inlet river into a small town called Albertown, where we stopped for lunch. The cycle trail was a mix of open, smooth paths shared with pedestrians and then narrow, rutted, sandy stretches littered with tree routes. I didn’t fall off but got off few times…it was a too rough! Still managed to enjoy the scenery as we went by. Stopped at a couple of small beaches to admire the mountains.
Dropped the bikes back and went to the lake for a rest in the sun watching the ripples sparkle on the water.
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| On our bike ride |
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| Lunch was earned |
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| Tugging on a AF beer |
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| Lake Wanaka |
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| Cooling our feet in Lake Wanaka |
What wonderful research to be able to take in all those sites and such a variety. Can’t believe all those stretches of beaches and wonderful scenery with nobody around. What you’ve seen will remain with you for ever! This is definitely what life is about and I can certainly imagine what people have always said about New Zealand. The variety of walks you’ve been on is marvellous. Will be looking on my map now to see where everything was…… Love to you both and keep enjoyXx
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