Tuesday 30th
Invercargill – Kaka Point

The fine weather of yesterday disappeared today and was replaced with an overcast sky with the continual threat of rain. Temperatures down to 6 – 8 degrees again. We made our way out to the Southern Scenic Route that took us into the Catlins Scenic Reserve.

Contary to popular opinion, the most southern part of the South Island is not Bluff, but Slope Point. It wins by a few hundred metres. The 10 minute walk to the point was closed however, due to lambing, so I had to be content with taking a photo of the point from an adjacent hill.

It gets windy on the south coast. The windbreak hides an old abandoned cottage.


Boiling surf at Curio Bay Petrified Forest


A petrified log lying on the forrest floor


The jumble of petrified timber


Thawing out with morning coffee and heater at St Marys Anglican church, Waikawa


Which actually doubles for the local coffee house


Back to work. A walk through the bush to the Salt Marshlands to see shy birds


The habitat of a small salt marsh endangered bird


A board walk ensures dry feet to the water's edge


Matai Falls waterfall


Downstream from the Matai Falls


Another water fall nearby

At Papatowai I stopped for petrol at $1.20 per litre (about 25 cents above the main center prices) and at Owaka we decided that we had earned lunch and a browse of the local quilting shop. We booked into the Kaka Point Motel and then went along the coast to Nugget Point.

Nugget Point Lighthouse. A fierce, freezing wind swept up from the sea.


Nugget Point from the Light House



The track back along the ridge from the lighthouse


Photo taken from the wildlife hide at Roaring Bay where Penguins come ashore to nest

Motel view


View from our motel breakfast bar

Fish and chips for dinner from the local takeaways.    Kaka and Nugget Point Motel $85.   Rating 9/10
Travelled 207Km today.