Next morning we left Te Anau and our destination now was Dunedin. But that was far away- we had to drive across the South Island to the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile we enjoyed the countryside stopping for interesting sites and visiting small towns like Gore and Balclutha.
We stopped for lunch in Balclutha because we were told that was the place to try cheese rolls. Every restaurant on the street served them:
Our coffee was always perfect:
At the cafeteria where we had lunch I saw this sign:
Actually we saw many signs written in Maori and we were told that Maori language is taught in schools in New Zealand.
There was another sign at the cafeteria next door:
And some one has followed the sign:
After lunch we drove to Kaka Point. Kaka Point is named for the New Zealand kākā bird, whose signature call is “ka-aa.” At Kaka Point wee wanted to see yellow-eyed penguins.
Unfortunately, the beach was empty, penguins were not home:
We stayed there for a while but finally it started raining and we decided to go to Dunedin. When we got to Dunedin, it was pouring.
Dunedin is the second-largest city (after Christchurch) in the South Island. The harbor and hills around Dunedin represent the remnants of an extinct volcano. In gold rush era Dunedin became the capital of the whole of New Zealand. Discovery of gold led to a rapid influx of people and to the growth of the city. Many beautiful buildings were built then that stands to this day. The most famous is Dunedin Railway Station:
Some other buildings in Dunedin:
As you can see Dunedin was built on hills and it also a home for the world’s steepest street:
The weather wasn’t good, there was always dark clouds covering sky but somehow where ever we went those clouds stayed behind. The same happened on our second day in Dunedin when we decided to visit Royal Albatross Center located in Taiaroa Head outside Dunedin.
Royal Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Head is the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world. We learned a lot about these magnificent birds and their life. Then we were taken to the observatory above the center where we got a chance to watch them flying, socializing and taking care of their chicks.
These birds are amazing but it is too long story to tell here. I recommend you, who are interested, to read more here:
On a way back we visited Larnach Castle where, despite the rain, we enjoyed beautiful views and pretty plants:
That was a long day… But tomorrow there is going to be the most adventurous day of this trip. Come back!
Very interesting, even the boots left by the door!