Catlins – Fri-Jan-29

Leaving Invercargill we headed towards the Catlins, a race against the tides! The Catlins are best seen at low tides. Unfortunately we missed the signpost for the Scenic Route and took Hwy 1 instead, which cost us valuable time. We then drove south along inland secondary roads to reach the ocean and Curio Bay. Years of pounding by the sea has worn away the soil here at Curio Bay to reveal fossilized remains of the Jurassic period 180 million years old. A NZ national treasure & the rock face is a strictly protected area. However, it is permissible to walk it at low tide and marvel at the visibility of the tree rings; the position of the logs is evidence of several floods with the forest growing back between the events. The petrified stumps look more like coal or carbon than trees.
On the other side of the point was Porpoise Bay, home to Hector‘s dolphins. These dolphins are found only in NZ; talking to the Conservation employee we just missed a spectacular display! Darn! A walk along its beautiful sandy beach, complete with sea lions and a solitary blue penguin. (Picture attached) Lunch at Steve’s beachside store, we drove NE past Niagara Falls (sense of humour down here!) then towards Papatowai. Petro stations were few and far between; burning fumes upon our arrival. Taking more back roads, we stopped at Purakaunui Falls, claimed to be the most photographed falls in NZ. It was scenic and we saw a perfectly hallowed out tree – I’m certain I saw Papa Smurf!
It was getting late and the gate to Cathedral Caves was closed, we drove on to Nugget Point to walk to the lighthouse. This was certainly worth the drive (and the 2K walk) out to the point. Great sea vistas from the lighthouse, looking down over the cliffs we saw seals & royal albatross. Wonderful but windy! Leaving Nugget Point we drove to Balclutha, stopping for coffee, then to Dunedin. We were surprised at the geographic size of Dunedin, as it is strung along the coast and to find I-Site closed. Helpful NZ used their cells to try a few places but no luck as the Masters Golf Championship is in town. They suggested the Scenic Southern Cross Hotel (casino), just an easy walk from where we stood. Happenstance we found the right location, within two blocks of the Octagon, the centre of town. It was now 8PM so we went for a short walk, ate dinner at an Indian restaurant and returned to the hotel. Good night Dunedin.