The Southern Scenic Route

The beauty of travelling with a campervan is the complete flexibility of route and itinerary - especially in New Zealand where you can overnight pretty well anywhere as long as you leave no trace. So as we left Dunedin we were faced with the sign "Southern Scenic Route" and we had a quick look at the guide book and decided to stay on the coast after all and headed down to the "Catlins".

We were very happy to have made the choice. It seems the Catlins is one of those out of the way areas that is rarely visited - and it is really very beautiful. Thick wild forests of native trees such as the Rimu (Alister's favourite) extending down to the coast. We passed through places such as Nugget Point (with literally hundreds of seals, sealions and sea elephants living side by side on the rocks beneath the lighthouse), Curio Bay (where Alister went for an unsuccessful (chilly) swim with Hector dolphins, where we saw an example of a fossilised forest on a beach, and where Alister and Matteo got their fishing rods out at last) and in between there were waterfalls and beautiful beaches (including the Cathedral Caves). Despite very bad weather forecasts - we had surprisingly good weather.

After that we drove quickly through Bluff (the least attractive place so far - the equivalent of Land's End) and Invercargill (also quite uninteresting) for just a short visit before heading back into the countryside.

We then started heading up into fjordland and did some caving in the limestone area near Clifden (to discover our first glow worms). We spent a lazy day around Te Anau and then on 30 December we discovered then magnificent Doubtful Sound (on an organised trip from Manapouri) where we had spectacular weather and thanks to previous weeks of rain the waterfalls were in full flow!!

Then up to Queenstown for 31 December. For the first time, the family splits to do separate things. Alister was delighted to get a ticket for the one day cricket international (New Zealand Black Caps vs Sri Lanka) in the magnificent mountainous setting at Queenstown. The weather started chilly and then real cricket weather under a blue sky. A fantastic game won for the NZ Black Caps by the last batsman off the last ball!! Perfect day for Alister!! Delphine and the children took a journey across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw (vintage steam boat) to visit a farm.

We were, all four of us, dancing to live music until the fireworks at midnight over the lake and under the southern stars!! HAPPY NEW YEAR - BONNE ANNEE !!!

Now we will head up to Wanaka.