Posts tagged ‘nz fur seal’

Mar 19

South Island east coast: snippets from the drive home

Summer 12/13 roadie, days 9-10

It was time to point the car back north. Unfortunately. But we were at the bottom of the South Island which meant we were still an 800km drive and 3 hour ferry ride away from home. Plenty of road tripping left.

On this day we’d be stopping overnight near Christchurch. First we had a quick trip into Dunedin so that Mike could do some family history research which entailed a visit to the Hocken Library and a couple of cemeteries.

Found it! (Hard to miss, once you know) Mike with an ancestral grave and memorial

An hour or so north is the small town of Moeraki where we’d been recommended to stop at a seafood cafe. This was the first time I’d been into the town which is tucked over a hill out of sight of the main road. The area is more famous for the Moeraki Boulders, a few minutes away, but we didn’t stop there this time.

Fleur’s Place it turns out is very popular but we found a table upstairs – another deck with another great view. We settled back to lashings of carbs and the first proper coffee for a couple of days (ironically, no seafood).

The rustic building was purpose-built on the site of an old whaling station using demolition materials and various collected items, which definitely add to its character.

By mid afternoon we were in the vicinity of Christchurch and we took the opportunity to head into the city for the first time since the earthquakes. I’ll pick that up in the next post.

The next day we made a beeline for the ferry in Picton.

Kaikoura Ranges from Kaikoura

Just off State Highway 1 north of Kaikoura is a brilliant viewing spot for NZ fur seals and the car duly veered off so that I could partake of some cuteness.

South of Blenheim is a blip of a place you normally just sail on past, possibly noting the striking stone church as you do so.

St Oswalds Church, Wharanui, built in 1927…

…and here in 1938 for Mike’s grandparents’ wedding

Across the road from the church

And the inevitable was getting closer.

Off to the ferry we go…

Hope to see you again soon, South Island. You’re my favourite and I don’t care if the North Island finds out.

Mar 16

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Beach dragons and other coastal wonders at Nugget Point

Summer 12/13 roadie, day 8, part 2

For our second to last night of the trip Mike chose Nugget Point at the eastern end of the Catlins. Again he chose well and while not as fancy (or maybe just less modern) as our Curio Bay pad, Nugget Lodge was fantastic. The upstairs apartment gave us wonderful beach views out to the South Pacific Ocean.

As a bonus, we were back in range of both cellphone and 3G coverage. Through much of the Catlins you’re without either – which ain’t a bad thing.

The coastline here was more rugged and this provided a dramatic lighthouse setting as well as native habitats for seals and penguins. And on that note, after checking in we hustled back out into the car and up the road to see what we could find.

The walkway initially hugs the side of a huge steep hill before taking you along a ridge to the Nugget Point lighthouse

Far below the rugged rocks and beautiful water are home to NZ fur seals

Far below the rugged rocks and beautifully coloured, kelp-laden water are home to NZ fur seals

Seal nursery

The lighthouse has operated since 1870 though of course now is automated

The lighthouse has operated since 1870 though of course is now automated

Introducing the nuggets of Nugget Point

Basking seals surrounded by tentacles of bull kelp

Just down from the lighthouse is a yellow eyed penguin viewing place

You’re quite a distance from the YEPs here (moreso than at Curio Bay) so for any decent photos you need an enormous zoom lens

Given we lacked grunty viewing equipment, and given we had penguin success at Curio Bay, we decided it wouldn’t be worth returning for the evening penguin migration from sea to land. Instead our attention turned to exploring the beach around our accommodation and partaking of beverages on our fine deck.