NZ South Island II
Dunedin>N
Head north out of Dunedin for Waitati and along the scenic coast road through Warrington to Seacliff where there is a small museum worth a visit. Then go to Karitane with its strong Maori influence and historical importance as a first whaling settlement in the 19th Century. From Karitane, drive through Waikouaiti and Palmerston across the Shag River to Shag Point where sea lions can be spotted. There is a reef here said to be the upturned hull of a Maori canoe. Heading north again through Katiki you come to Moeraki Beach where you can see huge round boulders on the beach. Maori legend says they are food baskets turned to stone that were washed ashore from the great canoe that lies at the Shag River estuary. Onwards to Oamaru with its distinctive Victorian architecture made from local white stone. Another feature of this large town are the blue penguins.
Oamaru>ENE
The trip along the coast north to Christchurch is beautiful but then you would miss the drive inland along the Waitaki River valley. Just past Duntroon are the Takiroa rock drawings drawn with charcoal and ochre up on the limestone overhanging cliffs. You then come to the largest town in the valley, Kurow, with about 400 inhabitants, a campground and white stone buildings. The hydro-electric dams and their lakes are the main features of this journey, however. The Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore dams are spectacular and provide about a third of New Zealand's power. There are plenty of tours offered and you can drive all the way round Aviemore and Benmore Dams before returning to the main road at Otematata and on to Omarama.
Omarama>N
A short way out of Omarama are the clay cliffs, a protected area of outstanding beauty with its ravines, gullies, pinnacles and sharp ridges eroded from the gravels and silts. Back onto the main road and north to Twizel then along Lake Pukaki and the Tasman Valley. Hopefully the weather will hold so you can see the spectacular views to the high mountains and glaciers. After a breathtaking drive you soon come to Mount Cook Village with cafe, campground and hotel. This is great walking country and there's a good viewpoint to see the snowy peaks and glaciers and, of course, Mount Cook. Also known as Aoraki this is a sacred Maori place and I felt a very strong feeling of peace as I gazed at the awesome beauty as the sun went down. Unmissable.
Aoraki (Mt Cook)>S>W
The scenery changes slowly from the stunningly spectacular to the merely magnificent as you drive south, west and north west to Lake Tekapo formed by the Waitaki Dams but no less splendid for it except for the electricity pylons. Tekapo has scenic flights available. Heading west from Tekapo go through Burke Pass into hill farming country and on to Fairlie and then Geraldine with its amenities, cafes and vintage car museum. You are soon through Ashburton to Christchurch from here. If you have more time you could take a more scenic route through Stavely, Alford Forest, Mount Hutt, Windwhistle, Glentunnel and then Christchurch. There are many opportunities for walking, camping, fishing, picnicking and even skiing along this route along with the usual high quality restaurants and cafes that New Zealand excels in.
Continued later...
