2 March, 2013 Curio Bay -Invercargill-Riverton- Colac Bay

Left Curio bay at 9.00am. Before we left, the dolphins came into the bay. Too cold to get in to the water. Some people tried but they wouldn't come in close to play. Still too rough to get close to land. Missed out on photos of the dolphins but a least I saw them.

Curio Bay was a nice spot, it was just unfortunate that we had the cold front come through. The position of the accom on the beach was good, really recommend the Salthouse.

Took the tourist route around the coast towards Invercargill, although about 25km was on metal roads very dusty. Should see the car. All down the Catlins coast you have to get off  the main road and branch out to he coast to see the attractions at different spots along the way.

After Curio Bay we drove about 10 km along the coast to go to Slope Point. Then had a 20 min walk across farmland to the most southern point of South Island NZ. Very rugged coastline not like the lovely sandy Curio Bay.

Slope Point most southern point in the South Island.

Looking down over Slope Point most southern rocks

Looking along the coast of Slope Point.

Its great the way the farmers have all these access tracks over their fields for people to see these places.

Moving on to the Waipapa Point  we walked around the light house and looked for the seals.

Light house looking along the coast at Waipapa Point

 We were lucky as we came across two seals playing on the beach so could zoom the camera in to see them close. Got a video of them playing.

We watched these two seals playing on the beach.

This is the coast for Dolphins, Penguin and seals and we were lucky enough to see them all.
Although the weather wasn't too kind to us over the last two days we certainly still got out to see most things.

 If you come down to this area you have to be prepared to spend a lot of driving on the dusty metal roads. Everytime you shut the car doors heaps of dust fly off the car. Everyones cars look the same.No use doing a bus tour down this way as the buses wouldn't get down to the places that the cars can.

We then headed towards Invercargill through nice rolling farm country although mainly flat.
As soon as we arrived in town went straight to the oyster shop and brought two dozen oysters. Iced them up for travelling, then took off to the Bluff. Drove up Bluff Hill although the weather was still cloudy and the sea fog was sweeping over the hill so couldn't  see a lot.

Taken from Bluff Hill lookout looking down at the entrance of the harbour where all those oyster boats come in.

Walked around the Bluff harbour and saw the crayfish, and some oyster boats although I think that most of the oysrer boats would be out picking up their catch.

The crayfish boats in Bluff Harbour.

Then drove through Invercargill, Pete wanted to go and see the rugby grounds, filled up the car with gas, got food for dinner, went to the liquor store, first drink of the holiday tonight.
Went and saw the  impressive old water tower.

Invercargills old water tower

Then headed off around the coast through Riverton on to Colac Bay. Here we had booked into a really nice two bedroom self contained holiday unit on a farm looking over Colac Bay. We could even see Stewart Island.

That is Stewart Island in the distance under the cloud.Across Foveaux Straight.

There were two detached units side by side. Modern and had everything even including a washing machine and dryer. Very handy when you are travelling. They are called Oraka Seaviews would recommend if anyone comes this way.

The two holiday units built on the farm looking over Colac Bay.

Front of our unit.

View from our unit

Down our end of Colac Bay although the bay is  very big sweeping around in a big u shape.

 We didn't arrive here until about 3.30pm so quite a long day driving, exploring and battling the gravel roads. Too tired to stop to look around Riverton so will go back tomorrow morning before we head off to Te Anau. The weather has really cleared since we arrived here. Turned out a nice sunny evening but can be a bit cool outside but you have to realise over the last two days we have been travelling along the most southern coastline. But tomorrow morning we leave after completing the deep south.