Otago Peninsula

Day trip out to the Otago Peninsula just outside Dunedin. There are supposed to be two types of penguin and Royal Albatross. The wind that has been so present over the last few days dropped away to give a calm and overcast day, meaning the Albatross didn't take to the air and were tucked away around the headland out of view. The scenery was however spectacular and were reminiscent of the high coastal cliffs and white sandy beaches around Cornwall. Later we visited Sandfly bay with a beautiful beach and resident Sealion population. We were here 12 years ago and watched penguins scale the steep sandy slopes. Apart from a few footprints, no sign of any this time although it was a bit early in the day. The weather broke in the late afternoon giving way to heavy showers. As we wanted to have dinner and a couple of drinks in Dunedin we stayed in a shared dorm in a hostel in the centre - only fractionally more expensive than camping on the outskirts and getting a bus. We forgot NZers eat early and only just snuck into a mexican restaurant before last orders at 8pm and close at 9pm! Finished off with a beer in a Scottish bar, pretty much the only one left open!Read more