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