NZ Holiday - Off to the Catlins - Alexandra to Kaka Point

Penguins in the wind - 24th & 25th October

The Lighthouse at Nugget Point

These must be the Nuggets at the Point?

View to the Lighthouse at Nugget Point

Kaka Point - The cabbage tree outside our place

Nugget Point - spot the fur seal?

A penguin puts on show near Kaka Point

It is really amazing how much the scenery varies in New Zealand over very short distances. One minute you are driving across what is virtually a rocky desert and just down the road you hit an area growing fruit trees. Go a little further and you might see sheep grazing. Our route from Alexandra to Kaka Point certainly rang the changes. One thing you do notice is the development of off-road cycle paths. The Otago BikeTrail is very popular and is being expanded. Cycling is definitely seen as an important way of increasing tourism and filling Motel Beds. When we set off from Alexandra it was very chilly, when we arrived at Kaka Point it was very much warmer but the wind was phenomenal. Not a cold wind as it was blowing off the land but we were buffeted by massive gusts. TW was a bit unsure about walking to the Lighthouse at Nugget Point as she thought the wind might carry her over the cliff to join the fur seals down below. No chance of that, her handbag is like a land anchor! The highlight in Kaka Point was seeing Yellow Eyed Penguins come ashore. These gentle creatures put on quite a show for us. Penguins at Kaka Point Penguins climbing to their nests Turn left, or end up in the sea We did manage to borrow a couple of bikes and take a ride along the coast road for a bit. TW finds a downhill in the Catlins A flakey paper tree on our Bush Walk