1 March 2013 Dunedin - Curio Bay (Catlins)

Woke up to our first cloudy day, where has the sun gone. This would happen as we are doing the Catlins today so won't look neally as nice.

Had a lovely meal and catch up with Howard (Petes old school mate) and Annette last night.

Left Dunedin this morning at 7.30am .We had to get to the Cathedral caves at low tide as there is a cut off as to when you can get access to them  about two hours either side of low tide then there is no access once the tide comes in. Dunedin is very unlike Auckland. Leaving town at 7.30am hardly saw a car on the road.
We drove on straight roads to Milton. Once we passed Milton the countryside became lush green rolling hills which we havent seen green pastures like that for about two months. I am sure that they get the rain coming through here regularly although the motel chap said it was very hot yesterday. Just looking out the window now really windy out there and drizzle.

We had several places to see down the catlins coast.
First stop was Nugget point. A track of about 900m which leads out to the light house.

Nugget point

Looking down from the light house

Looking down the south coast from the point.

Spot the baby seal in the pool

Looking from the point along the northern coast.

As you can see the weather isn't as good. Had to wear our jackets on our walks. Cold wind blowing up the coast. Can you Aucklanders imagine being cold.

There was Jacks blowhole, which would have been interesting but as the tide was right low at this point we decided not to go out to it. We would have had to walk 25 mins across farmland above the coastal cliffs to a 55m deep blowhole which is connected to the sea by a cavern 200m long. Sounded interesting but they say its better at high tide, as all blow holes are. So gave this one a miss.

2nd Stop was Purakaunui Falls. The falls are reached by a 20 min walk through beech forest to a platform at the base of the cascades. Unfortunately due to the lack of rain lately the volume of water wasn't what it could be, but a lovely walk.

Purakaunui Falls

3rd stop Florence Hill lookout below, looking over Tautuku Bay. I wish we had the nice blue sky.

4th stop Cathedral Caves  down on Waipati beach. It takes 15mins to walk down through the forest (longer to come up again as it was quite steep.) Started off with jackets on but they soon came off on the way back climbing the hill

Track through the forest

Then we walked north along the beach for 10 mins to the caves.

Waipati beach

Entrance to first cave

The first cave was the largest, with its roof over 30m high. You can walk on the sandy floor of the cave through to the second cave which joins the first in a v formation.

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Inside the biggest cave looking up to the roof and the back of the cave

Inside the bigger looking out

Walked through and looking out of the second cave.

Entrance to second cave

This shows the entrance to the bigger cave on the left and entrance to the smaller cave on right, which they connect up inside.

Showing how quick the tide is coming in to the cave entrances. About another half hour and the caves will be filling with water.

We then drove down to Curio Bay to where our accommodation is. Beautiful sandy sweeping bay and our unit in only a few meters from the beach. It is three units under the owners house. Nice and modern and spacious.

Motel Curio Bay Salthouse

Looking out from our room. Great spot.

 Settled in then went for a drive further along the bay to find out where we can see the yellow eye penguins which are best viewed about seven. I hope they will be there as the weather has now (5.00pm) closed in and looks like the rain won't be far away. Will let you know further on how we got along. Although we did see one lonely one on its own below who we were told that he was malting.

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Curio Bay is a great area where they have sea lions that come out on the beach, Yellow-eyed Penguins and Dolphins swimming in the bay. We have been told that they come up to you to play in the water but if this weather keeps up don't think that we will see them unfortunately.

The countryside we have gone through today is more like the north island. I always relate to the south island as being mountains and passes.

Prime real estate

We have brought food for dinner as it is such a pleasant spot to cook our own meal. Then hope to see the Blues game tonight although the rooms don't receive sky sports unless the owner upstairs is watching then he can send it down to us. He said he would so hope he hasn't forgotten.

I will continue after dinner and back from trying to see some more penguins. Its really cold and windy now so we will freeze out there. Pete is asking where are his trackies!!!!!!!!!!!

Just heard on TV  that the Bluff oyster season has just opened so we will now be dropping down to Bluff tomorrow when we pass through Invercargill.
Later.
Just went along to see if we could see some more yellow eyed penguins (7.00pm) Its freezing out there now, low cloud misty rain strong winds coming in right from the south and the poor penguins are right on the south coast.We managed to zoom in close enough to one bird, larger than we had realized. In fact one of the DOC staff advised us that the Yellow Eyed Penguin is the 3rd largest of the penguin family after the Emperor, then the King and then the Yellow Eye.

This is the area of the Fossilised forest where the yellow eyed penguins come in. You can see the remains of the forest wood in the rocks photo below

Got our photo and came back to the unit freezing dressed up in our fleeces and put the heater on. Warming up now.

We don't have cell range here and maybe not tomorrow too. Don't think that we will have wi-fi tomorrow night so will catch up next day.

Still haven't seen any dolphins too rough now but maybe last chance tomorrow morning before we leave.

We saw the rugby the owner transmitted it down to our room.

Weather not looking good for tomorrow.