– MARCH 26, 2015
After seeing the blue penguins in Dunedin (and getting our fill on chocolate), we set course through the area called “the Catlins“. The Catlins, on the south-east cost of the south island (right on the famous Southern Scenic Route), offer a glimpse of rural New Zealand set amid native forests, fringed by high cliffs and golden beaches. Here, you’ll find a world of waterfalls, including the tiered Purakaunui Falls, amongst the most photographed in the world (more on that later). This spectacular coastal stretch is home to an array of marine life – sea lions, penguins and dolphins among them. This area was custom made for AJ Schiek…you need to visit here some day AJ.
NUGGET POINT
Nugget Point provides a spectacular viewing platform with its lighthouse perched on a spur of land.
Nugget Point welcome stones
Nugget Point walking path
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point – the long sea weeds cling to the rock sides and gum up the waterway.
Nugget Point – sea lions were singing away on the rocks below.
Nugget Point
Nugget Point
Nugget Point beach – a yellow eyed penguin is standing in the middle of the photo if you look closely (the white speck).
Nugget Point beach – yellow eyed penguins habitat on this beach.
JACK’S BLOWHOLE
Jack’s Blowhole was named after the Maori chief Tuhawaiki (known to European settlers as Bloody Jack). The blowhole is 55m deep and 200m from the sea. It formed when the roof section of a large subterranean cavern, eroded by the sea, caved in.
Jacks Blowhole welcome sign and steps
Jacks Blowhole view from the entrance to the walking path
Jacks Blowhole
Jacks Blowhole
The water was moving pretty intensely down that hole. Not too big of splashes, it was more of a hole in the ground than a blowhole. I find that New2 Zealand likes to use bigger words to describe stuff that isn’t always 100% accurate.
PURAKAUNUI FALLS
Purakaunui Falls is a true icon of the Catlins. This is New Zealand’s most photographed waterfall in the country. It graces the cover of calendars, postcards and book covers.
Purakaunui Falls walking path
Purakaunui Falls bridge
Purakaunui Falls…the most professionally photographed waterfall in New Zealand.
McLEAN FALLS
McLean Falls is a 22m waterfall on the Tautuku River and is often described as the most spectacular in the region. People in Dunedin specifically stated that this was one of our mandatory stops (and why argue with the locals?).
McLean Falls small starter waterfall at the entrance.
McLean Falls
McLean Falls
McLean Falls
Stunning scenery. We had plans to meet Joanne (from the Claremont Castle visit) in Bluff, so we had to get back on the road. In hindsight we should have camped in the Catlins at one of the DOC sites and spent another day in this area. There is much more to see.
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For more photos of our adventure go to our flickr account here.
A Leaf on the Wind 