07 Feb - Dunedin to Invercargill

We got hit by a large storm overnight in Dunedin. Lots of rain and wind that caused localized flooding around the south island. But everything was clearing by morning and we hit the road after breakfast to explore Southland (like a county) on the way to the southern town of Invercargill.


Instead of the more direct inland route we took designated scenic roads which hugged the coast and allowed us to take in the Catlin Coast and stop at Nugget Point and Curio Bay which are well known wildlife lookouts.

After a long ride out a gravel road we arrived at Roaring Bay at the end of Nugget Point and hoped to see some wild Yellow-eyed Penguins, the rarest wild penguins.

The Department of Conservation, Kiwi version of our National Park Service, seems to own much of southern New Zealand and provides excellent facilities and access to their natural areas. At Roaring Bay they have access to the beach and a special blind where we could try to see the penguins.

According to the educational material set up in the blind, the penguins have chicks on the beach this time of year and are out feeding until dusk. So, with no jeopardy of keeping adults from their chicks we headed down to the beach.

They ain't waiting til dusk to eat

We left Nugget Point and wound further south through the Catlins and along the coast. This was Tautuku Bay, one of many pretty lookouts.

Our next stop was Curio Bay. This was another promised wildlife viewing area and the location of petrified trees along the coastline.

Petrified tree trunk

Crazy big kelp

After spying a couple of people staring at something we finally zeroed in on a couple of the yellow-eyed penguins. Apparently these guys are childless and clearly enjoying the good life.

Walking back around we spotted another one waddling up the rocks and then stopping to dry/sun/give mean looks to the childless couple. Given their threatened status, access to their roost is surprisingly open. Posted signs just ask to stay at least 20 feet away.

Just a really distinguished example of water fowl

One of those places you could have easily spent the whole day

From Curio Bay we drove directly to our holiday park outside the town of Invercargill. Most of the travel books recommended steering clear of Invercargill simply because it was a bit too quiet and didn't offer much in the way of attractions. We did just cruise through, but it seemed nice enough. Our holiday park was located in a couple's backyard and very nice.

Andy, Zach and I played with Andy's new rugby ball, a nearly nightly practice. We couldn't take his football with us, so we picked up a rugby ball in Christchurch. He insisted on calling what we played rugby, even though we played it as football.

The owner invited us to grab a bunch of sheep treats, called 'nuts', out of his garage and head out into the flock where we were immediately mobbed by three lambs and a momma named "Lucy". The boys thought this was awesome. This picture is post feeding. Andy really held his own despite being knocked around quite a bit. Zach needed some Kim supplied elevation to feel secure.