Southland

We drove the Southern Senic Route south from Dunedin to Nugget Point, where again we were treated to seeing Seals! As well as some cool rocks and a lighthouse.

#1 tourist spot in this part of the world is Slope point, the southernmost point of mainland New Zealand! Token photo with a sign with a walk through some friendly cows to get home.

Curio bay was the destination for the night. This end of the road bay had 3 big appeals, Coastal camping, Yellow Eyed Penguins and Dolphins! We secured a cliff-top campsite (1/3) before Cat went swimming. Apparently the Dolphins like playing with people here and come up to swimmers. Adam declined to swim, due to newly found fear of being eaten by dolphins…. Sadly for Cat, no playmates arrived before hypothermia became a real risk!

After dinner, we took turns to go and look out for the Yellow Eyed Penguin – the Worlds Rarest Penguin! Adam first. Having arrived at the viewpoint and settled in for a wait chatting to the DOC conservation man, it was actually only 3 minutes before Adam spotted that there was actually a penguin stood on the beach! As there is currently only 1 breeding pair at Curio Bay, this was it! Quick photos were taken before running back to the van to tag out for Cat, so she could see the Penguin waddle into his nest. Success! We were very much like the Yellow Eyed Penguin that night. One parent said went out into the wild, whilst one stayed back in the nest looking after the chick!

Leaving Curio bay, next stop was  Gemstone beach. Crashing waves and shiny stones! Not much more to say really, does what it says on the tin. Then, we entered Fjordland…..