Our target today was the coastal area known as the Catlins in the south east corner famed for wild beaches, bush clad hills and wildlife.
Our first stop was Nugget Point, so named as the rocky outcrops apparently look like nuggets. We’d left early so arrived an almost empty car park and wandered down the track to the lighthouse and its viewing point. It was overcast with a cold wind blowing so we were pleased to be in the lea of the headland. The area is unique as it is the only place where fur seals, NZ sea lions and elephant seals co-habit and there were plenty of them in the sea and on the rocks below us. We spent a long while watching them swimming, basking and fighting and when we turned to leave we found the viewing gallery behind us packed - good job we came early. Yvonne went on down to a Penguin Hide where an information board stated the chicks would be hidden on the beach whilst the parents went out fishing all day returning around 2 hours before sunset. Disappointed and not even seeing a seagull on this beach she trudged back up the hill to Nuggett Point back to the campervan.
Our lunch spot was chosen for its mobile phone reception, which is very rare and sketchy in these parts, as we wanted to book an overnight kayaking/camping trip in Doubtful Sound. Pretty lakeside location, trip booked for next Monday and lunch taken - a successful stop!
After driving down several unsealed (gravel) roads we came to Jack’s Blowhole - unusual as it’s 200m inland from the sea in the middle of farming land. The title is a bit of a misnomer really as it isn't a blowhole in the true sense but rather a 55m deep chasm in the ground with the sea roaring in and out via a tunnel in the rocks - quite spectacular but particularly difficult to photograph.
Next stop was the Parakaunui Falls, also down some unsealed roads: there are a lot in this area! A short walk through the bush brought us to the falls and though not quite as amazing as the guide pamphlet had lead us to believe they were still pretty.
We had planned one more venture to Cathedral Cave, a huge cavern in the cliff side that is only accessible at low tide. When we arrived at the gated entrance of the access road we found the timing would be tight so sought a camp site instead with a plan to visit tomorrow.
The site we found was a small recreational park in a small village right next to an estuary with the most magnificent views across the mudflats to the rolling hills beyond. Yvonne made a very tasty dinner which we ate admiring the panorama.
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| Nugget Point |
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| Jack's Blowhole |
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| Just one of the many beautiful vistas |
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| Parakaunui Falls |
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| Lovely spot for the night. |
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