South Island: Day 8 > Bluff - Riverton - Manapouri

Up early doors as Amanda had a phone interview for a new job. It went well, but, as we all know 8 months later she did not take it.

Learn a new word from the owner of the homestead where we stayed: Piwi - an alternative to Kiwi-Pom.

With the interview over we complete a short coastal walk along stirling point, with great views of Stewart Island on the horizon.

Stop in the very pretty seaside town of Riverton for lunch and a paddle in the bay; very, very cold and I don't stay in too long, thankfully the tide is too far out for a swim!

From Riverton we continue east towards Tuatapere. WOW! As we turn a bend we are offered our first glimpse of Fiordland in the distance. I think Fiordland is New Zealand for many people outside of New Zealand. As honourary Kiwi's we now know there is much more to the place; but that said it really is a gem and we could not wait to get there.

Our progress was somewhat slowed however, by our continually stopping the van to admire the view and grab another photo. Every kilometer the view improved, the vista's made all the more dramatic by the storm clouds on the horizon. They are probably at their best, where we can see the sea in front and the mountains of Fiordland behind it.

The roads here are still more often than not, long and straight and would have been very dull if not for the views; but at least it means we can make good progress. It's a little incongruous seeing towering mountains in the distance and farmland complete with rolled hay bales in front.

Some swallows are playing 'chicken' with us, swooping in front of the van and away again at the last second. Bugs are doing the same in their hundreds; but less successfully and probably not intentionally! We'eve had to wash the windscreen twice today already...

Our amazing day of driving comes to an end after some 225km at the Possum Lodge camp Ground; a cosy little place nestled on the banks of the mammoth Lake Manapouri.

Odometer: 1212K

Tauranga, Mount Maunganui & Waihi Gold Mine

Last weekend we visited Tauranga, approx 2.5 hours drive south east of Auckland and the 4th largest city on the North Island with a population of approx 115K - so about the same size as Crawley!

We stayed with a lovely couple we found through AirBnb.

Some cool galleries aside, Tauranga itself was nothing too special, but the beaches were superb and the nearby Mount Maunganui well worth the visit. We walked the perimeter before scaling the summit and rewarded ourselves with a dip in the natural saltwater hot pools. There was also an american car rally going on and some beautiful cars on display - the Mustang's particularly.

Other highlights of this weekend were exploring old mining tunnels in the Karangahake gorge, bush walking at McLaren Falls and walking around a huge open cast gold mine in Waihi - 4km circumference and almost 200m deep. It's been closed down once, but reopened again recently. Probably because it generates over $1M a day in gold. Still, it is due to be closed down again soon and turned into a very deep lake. The monster trucks are even bigger up close and those tyres? $11K a pop!

South Island : Day Seven

Up early for change and awake along the headland; the one we watched the glorious sunset from the night before. Move the van so we can have breakfast with a view or Porpoise Bay. Do not see any of the famed 'Hector's' dolphins though. they are known to 'play' with surfers, of which we saw a few out today.

Prior to leaving we take another walk around the petrified forest and check up on our Penguin friend - he is now fast asleep and oblivious to all the people ogling him.

First stop on our travels today is Waipapa point and involves a very long and seemingly never-ending stretch of gravel road A lighthouse was erected here in 1881 after New Zealand's worst ever maritime disaster. It was manned until 1976, but is now automated. More interestingly, it is also home to many Sea Lions. There are quite a few having a wee nap on the beach. A cloudy day, but not very windy we take a stroll along the beach and discover more Sea Lions and find a Paua shell. The beach is also strewn with all manner of seaweeds in different colours.

Back in the van we head for Invercargill; the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. The roads are very straight and flat and pass through never-ending farm land. Moo! Baa! Strong winds mean we don't make very good time and burn up some fuel despite the easy roads.

Amanda makes use of civilization to print of a job description in the library in preparation for a job interview the next day (over the phone). Check out the local museum as it is contains some info on Burt Munro of 'The Fastest Indian fame' and some interesting displays on the lives of the original settlers.

About the only thing of interest in Bluff is a signpost proclaiming to be at the southern most point of the island - it is not, part of The Catlins is about 5km further south. Still, there is a nice coastal walk here, which we of course do. Cannot remember why we decided to visit Bluff; perhaps only because the guide no an NZ TV Documentary title 'South', lived there and raved about it.

Home for the night is The Bluff Homestead. A cute and quirky place with some nice views. We are esssentially parking in their garden and they provide washing facilities and a kitchen. The 'kitchen' however, is a solitary electric burner, so we decide to eat out tonight. This didn't prove easy either - there are only two places to eat in town. One is closed and the other has a private function on. Thankfully, they kindly offer to let us eat anyway. Nothing else to do in Bluff and even the hen do is wrapping up so home to bed. Probably a good thing as Amanda has an interview first thing.

Odometer: 988km