As one great man once said to us, “take it steady mate”, so that is just what we did today, on our second day driving on the Southern Scenic Route. We got up early and started our drive, sharing the road with only a few herds of cattle. After only 1 hour we entered the scenic region of The Catlins.
Famously rugged and dramatic, this part of the south eastern coastline was hopefully set to bewitch us for the day.
First stop was Waipapa Point Lighthouse, a small timber construction, built in 1884 after NZ’s worst civilian shipping disaster happened on this stretch of coastline.
The weather today was changeable, and we were soon to realise that we would be trying to avoid getting caught in the heavy showers. We set out along the barren coastline in search of sea lions, which are well known for hauling themselves out on the beach here. Sadly we failed to spot any, instead we found two Paua shells (pictures will be added tomorrow once cleaned), they are a beautiful shell that house an edible sea snail.
Curio Bay’s petrified forest was next on the agenda; a well preserved Jurassic fossilised forest, only visible when the tide is out. We had timed our visit to coincide with the tidal change and were able to walk over this 180 million year old kauri and matai forest that had been embedded on the coastal bedrock. We had hoped to see some of the rare yellow eyed penguin here, however on reading the signs we found they would all be out at sea fishing.
We headed around the corner to Porpoise Bay, and at a windswept lookout we stopped for a moment to admire the scenery and indulge in a biscuit or two.
Back on the road we did the trio of waterfalls that The Catlins has to offer, and thanks to last nights heavy rain they were all in full force today.
First was McLean Falls.
Second Matai Falls.
And lastly, the most photographed of the three (or so our guidebook proclaims), Purakaunui Falls.
A 30 minute walk across a farmer’s field then took us to Jack’s Blowhole.
Situated in the middle of a sheep paddock, this huge blowhole was no less than 200 metres from the sea, and connected by a subterranean cavern. We stood in wonder as the incoming tide crashed in against the steep sheer walls.
Last stop of the day was at Nugget Point, where we walked out to a small lighthouse that was perched on a rocky cliff edge. The sea winds battered us from both directions, and the sheer drops down either side of the path were dramatic. We looked through binoculars trying to see the infamous inhabitants of this isolated outpost – fur seals, sea lions, elephant seals and yellow eyed penguins.
We saw several fur seals on the rocks below, but no other occupants were home! We settled instead for a walk to the lighthouse lookout, and a view out to sea that took in the sea worn rocks that give this place it’s name – supposedly they look like gold nuggets.
On the road back down we stopped at Roaring Bay for one last attempt today of catching a glimpse at the yellow eyed penguin. We wandered down to the hide, and on entering and glancing through the windows all we saw were sea gulls….BUT…hang on, what was that there in the gorse…could it be!?!?!?!?!?
YES!!!!! A PENGUIN!!!! If only Ben had recorded Nicola’s reaction – apparently it was hilarious to watch!
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