In September I found myself with a chance to take some
leave, and the opportunity to make use of a Maui Campervan, so I grabbed my
good friend Lynne and we headed South….
DAY 1 – Christchurch to Mt Cook
I arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday night, but Lynne wasn’t
flying in until Thursday morning, so I made a short but winding trip out to
Akaroa to spend the night. In the morning I spent some time at the famous little
shelter on the pier, to watch the sunrise. Photography was tricky as there were
lots of boats moored very close to the pier, which were moving around while I
was trying to take a long exposure. Nonetheless I managed to get a few shots I
was happy with.
 |
| Akaroa Wharf at Sunrise |
 |
| Akaroa Harbour |
After picking up Lynne from the airport, we drove to
Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, where we basically had no luck at all! There for
a day and a half, but it was drizzly the whole time and Mt Cook was completely
hidden by cloud. To console ourselves, we headed to the bar for hot chips and
beer. Once we returned to the camper, we watched with slight concern as a man
tried for several hours to break into the car parked next to us. We assumed it
was his own car, with the keys locked inside, but we weren’t brave enough to
ask him! When we woke up, the man was gone but the car was still there.
DAY 2 – Mt Cook to St Bathans
With not much sunrise luck on Friday morning, we decided to move
on somewhere new. On our way out of the national park, the weather finally
started to lift, and we got our first glimpse of the majestic Aoraki.
We decided to head for St Bathans, which was somewhere I had
never been before and really wanted to visit. We took our time, stopping to climb
a big hill in Lindis Pass for a bird’s eye view, to admire the beautiful Clutha River, and see some cherry blossom trees in Alexandra. Also in Alexandra we
stopped at a café where I had the most divine iced coffee ever, along with a
traditional Southland cheese roll. That cafe is totally on my list to return to!
 |
| View of Lindis Pass |
 |
| Sunny skies over the Clutha River |
 |
| Cherry blossoms in Alexandra |
We arrived in the historic goldmining town of St Bathans in
the late afternoon, and I was instantly in love with the tiny township, its hundred plus year old houses, the gorgeous Vulcan Hotel (which people say
is haunted), and the absolutely beautiful Blue Lake. Lynne and I spent some time on the cliffs around the lake taking
photos, before retiring to the pub for chips and beer (a pattern was forming
here!). I was less worried about the ghosts, and more concerned that we would
come to some strange fate at the hands of the most unfriendly and downright
strange “publican” I have ever met. Turns out the lady has quite the reputation
as several people asked me if I had met her when I shared pictures of St
Bathans.
 |
| Shores of the Blue Lake, St Bathans |
 |
| Blue Lake, St Bathans |
DAY 3 – St Bathans to Dunedin, via the Catlins!
After sunrise at the lake, and a bit of time exploring the areas
along the shore, we again jumped in the van and headed south. Lynne and I have
a bit of a history of making up ridiculous car games, and this time we decided
on a competition to spot the polling booth in each town we drove through, as it
was the day of the election. It’s amazing how competitive and passionate two
grown women can be when there aren’t small childrens’ feelings to consider! Our
journey took us through southland to the Catlins Coast. We visited my favourite
waterfall in the country, Purakaunui Falls, along two others – Matai Falls and
the impressive multi-tiered McLean Falls. I still don’t have a shot of McLean I
am happy with, which means I will just have to go back!
 |
| Sunrise at Blue Lake, St Bathans |
 |
| McLean Falls, Catlins Coast |
 |
| Lower McLean Falls |
 |
| Matai Falls, Catlins Coast |
Sunset was at Nugget Point Lighthouse, with a stop on the
way for another delicious cheese roll (a new pattern was forming!). At the
lighthouse, the skies revealed a little soft pink, and I met a lovely man who
recognised me from Instagram. We then pushed through to Dunedin for the night.
 |
| Nugget Point Lighthouse |
 |
| The Nuggets, Nugget Point |
DAY 4 – Dunedin to Moeraki
Dunedin forecasts showed strong winds for the next morning, so
we drove around to Hoopers Inlet, in the hope that the bay would be sheltered.
Thankfully it was! The conditions were perfect with a calm sea but moving
clouds. ** Edited: I was so glad I took the opportunity to photograph the lovely
boatshed here, as it was destroyed in a storm in February 2018.
 |
| Hoopers Inlet Boat Shed |
 |
| Sunrise at Hoopers Inlet |
After the epic drive of the day before, we had a more
relaxed day exploring Dunedin, and eating more cheese rolls. We took in the
University buildings, along with the railway station, and enjoyed a relaxed coffee
in the botanic gardens with friends of Lynne’s. Afterwards we visited Tunnel
Beach, but shortly before sunset decided that the light was looking better further
south. We parked up in a lovely spot at Ocean View Beach, and watched crazy
clouds form. Was totally the right decision as looking north back to Tunnel
Beach, there was little action going on. After sunset we made the drive north
to Moeraki, for an attempt to photograph the boulders for sunrise.
 |
| Blossoms at the Dunedin Railway Station |
 |
| Otago University, Dunedin |
 |
| Ocean View Beach, Dunedin |
 |
| Waves and clouds at Ocean View Beach |
DAY 5 – Moeraki Boulders to Christchurch
Photography at the boulders was a bit of a disaster – miserable
weather and high tide ruining the fun. We did however have a flask of mulled
cider that we had brewed the night before to warm us up, so all was not lost*. After
sunrise we packed up, and made the not-very-exciting drive back up to Christchurch.
 |
| Koekohe Beach, Moeraki Boulders |
After this trip, I decided my time is best spent doing
photography trips in autumn and winter, as spring conditions are just too variable.
Let’s see what the next trip holds!
* We did actually eat some healthy food, and we didn’t have alcohol
for breakfast every day
You can also subscribe to my blog for post notifications in the box on the right hand side menu.
