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The Catlins Photo Log

March 1-3, 2015

The Catlins is the region in the southeast of the south island and has some very beautiful rugged coastline. It is sparsely populated and off the tourist beaten path due to its remoteness.

Road Trip Journal – March 1, 2015 (Otago Peninsula to Dunedin to The Catlins)

  • Dunedin –> The Catlins
  • Stopped at Nugget Point. short walk to lighthouse, good views.
  • Stayed at Newhaven Holiday Park. Excellent. $125/night, tourist flat, everything but a stove (has double hot plate, though.) Small but nice amenities. Nice courtyard w/ giant chess board. Trampoline. Easy beach access.
Dunedin to The Catlins
The lighthouse at Nugget Point
The boys at Nugget Point, with some of the “nuggets” in the background. Notice anything missing?
Looking south from Nugget Point
We stayed at Newhaven Holiday Park, and this was our favorite one by far.

Road Trip Journal – March 2, 2015 (The Catlins)

  • Walk down Surat Bay then across false islet to Cannible Bay. Lots of sea lions. Heading back wind went from 0 to 25-30 kts instantly. Cold. Rain started after we got back.
Easy beach access from the holiday park
Poor bird lost a foot
We took a long walk along Surat Bay and then over the ridge at False Islet over to Cannibal Bay. The highlight was definitely…
…The sea lions!
Tim provoked this one
This guy is laying on his back
Taking the trail between Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay
Cannibal Bay
Surfin in
Permission granted to return back to the holiday park
It was kind of tricky passing this one
The weather changed instantly on us. It went from warm, muggy, and not much wind to ice cold and about 25-30 kts. This photo tries to capture the wind chop on Surat Bay, but it doesn’t do it justice.
Back at the holiday park

Road Trip Journal – March 3, 2015 (The Catlins to Fiordland)

  • The Catlins –> Fjordland
  • Stop at Purakaunui Falls. Short walk to falls. Nice but low flow.
  • Pitstop at Tautuku Beach Lookout with spouting cave. Loud cows.
  • Curio Beach. Drove thorugh campground to lookout. Stopped to see fosslized trees. Spotted 2 yellow eyed penguins in the bushes.
  • Lunch at McD’s in Invercargill.
  • To be continued…
Leaving the Catlins on the way to Fjordland with several stops between the Holiday Park and Invercargill
Curio Bay
Porpoise Bay
Is anyone else shocked that Tim actually stayed INSIDE the yellow line?
These guys were hiding in the bushes, so we didn’t get a good look, but at least we’ve caught a glimpse of the rare yellow eyed penguins

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