Scenes from the Catlins and Southern Scenic Route
Sometimes the best things in life are things that are not planned. Like the picture, above. We had planned to drive further, but when we realized we could see yellow eyed penguins come ashore for free in Curio Bay, and further realized there was a pretty awesome campground wedged right between Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay, we parked our campervan and stayed put.
In fact, we almost didn’t take the Southern Scenic Route at all, which would have been a shame since, true to name, it was pretty darn scenic. The route snakes along the southern coast of the South Island from Dunedin and cuts north to Queenstown after Invercargill. We did the route in two days (not counting our detour to Te Anau and the Milford Sound), but you easily could spend more time meandering through. The Southern Scenic Route follows the rugged coastline for most of the way, with sandy curved bays popping up now and again, but some of the best parts are the short detours down the often unsealed Heritage Routes. Lighthouses, surprise sea lions on land, yellow eyed penguins waddling ashore, a high density of cows and sheep, remote gas stations which open upon request, college and pick-up rugby and cricket games, and short little hikes just how we like – it’s worth going the long way.
Sadly, the home team of Telleford were getting their butts kicked pretty bad in this rugby game.
Self-portrait at Nugget Point
We didn't spy any penguins from the hide at Roaring Bay, but did see a sea lion sunbathing on the beach.
One of the many gorgeous scenes in the heart of the Catlins.
As the sunset, we watched this little guy waddle ashore back to the young.
The Curio Bay Camp Ground
One of two sea lions we came across by surprise on shore. This one visited our campground.
Porpoise Bay in the morning
Curio Bay in the morning, where we watched the penguins the night before.
A lightkeeper and his family lived at Waipapa Point up until the 1970s.
Another beautiful stop
Back inland
Wow, Australia and New Zealand are exotic. But you are inching closer to the west coast and then to Pittsburgh, PA. Sean, the buddy lunch is on hiatus. Brad left and then I left two weeks ago. Finally was able to use the switch as a verb in a sentence.