Southern Scenic Route to Dunedin

At the suggestion of George, our host, we plan to take the Southern Scenic route today as we drive to Dunedin.  Leaving the Te Anau Lodge, I took this picture of the tussock grass plants by the driveway.  The tall (up to 5 feet) tussock grasses are Chionochloa – a genus that is largely endemic (found only in New Zealand). This plant seems prized here. 

 This morning we visited the Te Anau Wildlife center.  The people of New Zealand are very environmentally conscious and are making efforts to save endangered bird species.  We had seen a beautiful Takahe in a naturalist film at the Fiordland Theater in Te Anau on the first day we arrived.  Now we got to see one at the wildlife center.  There are only 200 of these birds left in the wild.  They are large, flightless birds with brilliant blue and green foliage and bright red orange beaks and feet. 

There was a little park by a historic, suspension bridge over the Waiau River where we took a quick stop. The park was created by the Orawia Boy Scout troop and had a tiny outhouse with a flush toilet!  The Ciftden bridge was was under construction from 1896-1899 and was 366 feet long - the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand at the time. It was designed for horse drawn traffic and allowed improved trade in the area (replacing a ferry).

 We stopped at McCracken Rest (Overlook) at the black sandy beach facing south.   If you could see far enough from here, you would see the continent of Antartica.









Looking east from this point you can see the bottom end of Fiordland National Park with its majestic Mountains, The dunes here are mostly covered with a short meadow grass. A viewing platform here gives excellent views of Te Waewae Bay. 

 Driving this road you see evergreen trees grown into unusual laid over, windswept patterns similar to the live oaks at Emerald Isle.

This area of the country feels "beachy" with bridges over inlets from the sea.  Riverton is a favorite beach vacation place for New Zealanders.  This is a little beach front town with fishing boasts and small sailboats lining its dock.  It seems strange to see beautiful views of the ocean with sheep tucked into it.  With directions from George, we had lunch at the Beachhouse restaurant overlooking Michells Bay. It was a cozy family cafe with two young girls waiting the tables. We shared a huge bowl of delicious seafood chowder and used the internet to make calls to our girls in the USA.  

After leaving Invercargill, We are driving through the region of New Zealand called the Catlins. We stopped at Curio Bay and walked down the path bordered by Flax, huge plants with leaves like long green blades. These flax plants are endemic to New Zealand.  This was the first time I have seen a tsunami warning sign posted.

There was an elaborate porch and steps reinforced by huge beams leading to the beach.  What we saw was petrified wooden tree trunks.  Archeologists suggested that the logs were carried in by a huge flood that washed a forest away. Then they siltified quickly before they could rot.   This beach is  a rock shelf where you can see the waves breaking as the tide comes in.  It is also also a nesting area for Yellow eyed penguins, but we were too early in the afternoon to see any.





Later we stopped at the Florence Hill overlook and could see the black beaches of Tautuku.  Imagine this beach scene with cows grazing in the salty air. 





We have moved away from the high mountains, into rolling hills and farm land.  The fields on both sides of the road look like extensive golf courses with manicured lush grounds.  We also saw some interesting trees here.  Farmers are raising both sheep and cattle here. 

 A long day... we arrived in Dunedin late.