McLean Falls

After a very, very, very cold night (and hoping that tonight is not more of the same), we departed Miller's Flat and drove through the lower part of the Otago region to Gore and then Invercargill and then finally Bluff.  Bluff has the distinction of being the first european settlement in New Zealand (1824) and the end of New Zealand's Highway 1, which stretches all the way to the top of the North Island.  Bluff also has a very iconic sign post for all kinds of places around the world.

From Bluff we made our way east through the Catlins, a hilly, forested area full of small coves, bays, farms and streams. Very picturesque and also very rarely visited by even Kiwis.  We were happy, though, as we haven't been inundated with trucks, cars, and camper vans and motorhomes!  We stopped at Curio Bay, home of the rare Hector Dolphin (didn't see any) and the even more rare Yellow-eyed Penguins. We saw one of those hiding by the bush and there are ropes to keep people away from its home.

Lastly, we drove to McLean Falls, here in the middle of nowhere. So nowhere, we cannot even get any phone coverage, let alone wireless for the computer.  So, this will be sent tomorrow when we get to 'civilization.'  Regardless, McLean Falls are quite nice, in a typically Kiwi understated way.

Tomorrow, the rest of the Catlins, Nugget Point Lighthouse and then Dunedin!

McLean Falls

Ready for Shearing (1400 and all done in a day!)

The Otago Area

How are Ewe Doin'?

Lower McLean Falls

End of Bluff

Stewart Island in the Haze

McLean Falls Detail

The Bluff Milepost

A Yellow-Eyed Penguin