63 and free

North-south transit completed, a petrified forest, and yet more cathedral caves!

Yesterday, Jan 30th 2023, we drove the southern scenic route from Te Anau to Kaka Point. It was extraordinary (I know, what a SHOCK, right?).

The first stop: Waipapā Lighthouse.

One of the last timber lighthouses built in NZ.
We weren’t sure this sea lion was alive until it moved!
It must have been cold; it tossed sand on its back!
Very different landscape!
The details.

Next stop: Slope Point. This completes our north-south transit of the entire country. For the most northern point, see our blog post entitled, “A twisted sense of humour, a massive whirlpool, and Kiwi toboggans.”

This could be eastern Alberta! Except for the sheep.
The southern most point in NZ. We are closer to the south pole than the equator.

Then we had to see the petrified forest at Curio Bay. The universe was with us as we arrived just after low tide. Pure luck!

Hard to believe it is rock!
All of those bumps in the foreground are petrified stumps! And that pale rock is one helluva layer of ash!

Then, GUESS WHAT?! We finally saw Niagara Falls!

Final stop of the day (yes, it was a real Pippin day): yet more cathedral caves! It was a kilometre walk down, down, down to the beach and then 300 metres to the first of the caves.

They were deep and dark. Not for the faint of heart.

Lots of switchbacks on the way back. I made it in a reasonable time, and without too much complaining (😳). Methinks all this Bernie-time is actually getting me in some semblance of shape. 😱

David and Bernadette Harris

2 responses to “North-south transit completed, a petrified forest, and yet more cathedral caves!”

  1. Granddad Avatar
    Granddad

    Loved the shots of Slope Point and the fossil tree beds!

    I gather you’re as far south as the land takes you so back to Auckland?

    Like

    Reply
    1. David and Bernadette Harris Avatar
      David and Bernadette Harris

      Very unique sites indeed!

      Nope. We are winding our way north before circling back to Christchurch. Then we head west and back east (on a train both ways), before flying to Brisbane on the 14th.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Granddad Cancel reply