South Island Sightseeing – From Coastal Wildlife to the Mountains!

01/10/18 ~ 02/10/18

There are only a couple of ways to drive from Dunedin to the Mackenzie district towards Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. The route south-west takes you via Cromwell, where you’d then head north up past Wanaka – much longer. The only other way is via Oamaru in the north and then either directly towards Twizel, or a route slightly further north to Lake Tekapo. For this trip, i took the most direct route towards Twizel. South Island sightseeing is always a spectacle.

(note: there are many landmarks i have not covered that are worth seeing)

Dunedin Surrounds

The trip begins on Otago Peninsula to the cliffs at the end, a wild bird sanctuary. I hadn’t been this far up the peninsula, so I thought I needed to finally visit for a sunset.

Long exposure ocean cliffs at sunset with lighthouse — Taiaroa Head in the distance from the lookout

Here I encountered hundreds of seagulls and shags in the cliffs nesting. There was even a small cave with newborn chicks.

Coastal cliffs and seagulls — Seagulls everywhere!

south island sightseeing — Sunset over the cliffs

About half hour drive out north of Dunedin and you can turn off at Waitati and head east. There is a natural cave formation carved into the rocky cliffs on the sand shore. The location of the cliffs and cave is near the opening of Blueskin Bay on the Dunedin side.

White sand and cliff face — White sands and cliff face

It was worth a visit and wander on the beach, and only takes about half hour return back to the car.

Shag Point and Moeraki Rocks

I continued along the coast from here via Karitane and towards Moeraki.

Ocean and grassy hill overlooking town — View to Karitane

Along the way was Shag Point. Shag Point was an unexpected surprise, and well worth the detour. It’s a bird and seal colony on a tidal rock platform. The Shags were in numerous numbers a little further out.

Shag bird on the rock by the ocean — It’s not called Shag Point for nothing!

Although only around three or four fur seals nearby, it was still a cool experience. They would often look at you briefly before resuming their lazy sleeping positions.

Seal on rock platform near ocean — A fur seal staring at me (bottom middle)

Moeraki rocks are one of those places you go just for the photo opportunity. It’s a tourist trap, and everyone knows it.

However, it can make for very good long exposure and sunset shots. I arrived at low tide and it wasn’t overly spectacular, but some of the rocks are quite spherical. I’d aim for a mid tide where the water is lapping the bottom of the rocks, but you can still walk around them.

Who left the demolition ball on the beach?

Can't get much more spherical out of a rock! — Can’t get much more spherical out of a rock!

Omarama and Clay Cliffs

Omarama was never on my destination list, but it had a nice roadside freedom camping site and a good open view if the mountains in the distance. I was treated to a nice sunset staying there, and generally was happy with my tent camping stay there.

Clay Cliffs was down the road, and I had previously never heard of it. It’s basically a weathered formation on private property, and can be seen from a distance in the road.

However, seeing it up close is well worth it. I spent a good hour there and loved walking between the spires and cliffs. There is a $5 fee once at the gate via a monitored honesty system. I felt this fee was ok, as the owner has to maintain the road and track alone.

Clay spires rock formation — The view looking back after climbing into the back of the formation

It was a hands and feet scramble to get here up this steep slope!

Lake Pukaki

A freedom camping wonderland! This lake offers spectacular camping options along a long stretch of the Eastern shoreline.

The best campsites being after the power station and a further five or so minutes drive (the little toilet sign has a secluded spot, and the turnoff right before it has a larger more open nice spot too.

The campsite - brother-in-law and their camper van — The campsite – brother-in-law and their camper van

Swimming in the freezing glacier-fed lake!

I ended up camping there two times, once for when my older sister and brother-in-law were visiting, and the second with my younger sister and her fiance.

When the sun goes, air temperature drops in NZ big time

Nothing like a huge fire, music and booze by the mountains!

... and then came the stars :) — … and then came the stars 🙂

Milky Way star shot — Milky Way! Venus and Jupiter in lower right (Venus projected onto the water it was so bright!)

It was quite windy on the second visit, but both times I had a nice swim all the same! Give Lake Tekapo a miss if time is short, and come here instead!

Island in a blue water lake — A tropical island paradise in the middle of a glacial lake

Blue lake and clouds — The water appeared even bluer than on the first visit here – even reflecting into the clouds!

~ Read more about other blue lakes I visited in NZ here in Nelson Lakes National Park ~

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