We are on a road trip around the South Island of New Zealand, and just come off a very scenic drive through the Catlins. Next, we headed to the Otago Peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head. The Royal Albatross is endangered and the Centre is the only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony in the world.
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| Royal albatross gliding over Otago Peninsula, NZ |
We were fortunate to be at the Centre at a time when there were many albatross flying around, loving the windy weather. They are amazing fliers; with their enormous 3-metre wing span, they just lift off and glide on the ocean breezes.
The Centre’s observatory sits right above some of the albatross nesting spots, and a live-cam aptly known as the 'Royalcam', beams albatross nesting activity to a world-wide audience.
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| Royal albatross mum, dad and chick, Otago Peninsula, NZ |
We were very lucky to see a number of fat white fluffy chicks, some with one or two parents with them. There was also a large group of juveniles on the cliff edge testing their flying skills.
These seabirds usually mate for life and breed only in New Zealand. They can live into their 60’s, and spend about 85% of their lives at sea. They are huge, standing at around 1.15 m high, and weighing between 6.2 to 8.2 kg!
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| Scenery around Otago Peninsular, Otago, NZ |
It was quite late, by the time we left the centre, and the scenery around the Otago Peninsular is beautiful, so we stopped in the seaside village of Portobello for the night.
The next morning, we drove into Dunedin. Dunedin’s heritage is Māori and Scottish. It was settled by Māori around 1300 and by Scottish settlers in 1848.
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| Historic railway station in Dunedin, NZ |
After we found motorhome-sized parking, we walked around to explore this attractive city. It has a mass of beautiful historic buildings, with the Dunedin Railway Station being a favourite. The city also has a really vibrant feel. It is a UNESCO City of Literature, and New Zealand’s first University is in Dunedin.
We explored the city for ages, but the very cold weather pushed us onwards. So we drove north and stopped to view the amazing Moeraki Boulders.
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| Leigh with a Moeraki boulder on Koekohe Beach, Otago, NZ |
These are very large and mysteriously round boulders, lying on coastal Otago’s Koekohe Beach. Apparently, each can weigh several tonnes and some are up to 2-metres high. They are made of a hard solid calcite mass formed about 65 million years ago.
According to Māori legend, the boulders are gourds washed ashore from the great voyaging canoe Araiteuru, when it was wrecked upon landfall in New Zealand (NZ) hundreds of years ago.
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| Victorian architecture, Ōamaru, Otago, NZ |
Next, we headed to Ōamaru, a lovely town full of Victorian architecture. Built in the late-1800’s, most of the town’s main buildings are constructed out of the local limestone, giving it a solid and impressive look.
We found the Ōamaru Top10 campsite, and parked there for a few nights. It is surrounded by a noisy road and rail, but we seemed to sleep ok. The next morning, we drove into Ōamaru township and explored the town. What we found delighted us.
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| Victorian architecture, Ōamaru, Otago, NZ |
Around the waterside area, most of the historic stone-built properties have been re-purposed into cafes, restaurants and shops, all with a Victorian theme, making Ōamaru famous as having New Zealand’s most complete collection of Victorian buildings.
They are built out of the lovely cream-coloured Ōamaru Stone, a limestone that has been used in many grand public buildings throughout NZ, and is popular with carvers.
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| Steampunk Museum, Ōamaru, Otago, NZ |
Ōamaru is also known as the “Steampunk Capital” of NZ, and there is an impressive Steampunk Museum there. Steampunk is based on sci-fi/fantasy inspired by steam-powered technology. Think….. Victorian costumes and steam-machinery with a fictional futuristic bent. Interesting!
We stopped at the local bakery where everyone was dressed in Victorian outfits, and bought pepper-steak pies. They turned out to be the largest and most delicious pies we’ve ever had. Next, we drove north-west along a scenic route to see Elephant Rocks.
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| Elephant Rocks in Maerewhenua Valley of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark |
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| Ancient Māori rock art at Maerewhenua cave, Maerewhenua Valley, NZ |
Nearby, we found a site that had ancient Māori rock art. We found it very interesting, having seen several ancient rock art sites in Europe and South America. The site is in a rock shelter in Maerewhenua Valley, and is estimated to have been occupied during both pre- and post-European times.
Our next destination will be chilly, it is Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand.
This is part of a bigger blog on our travels around the South Island of New Zealand. The first blog is called NZ's South Island in a motorhome.