Big Trip Day 14 (Dunedin to Invercargill)

Cereal, chocolate chip banana bread, yogurt...still no complaints.  Out the hotel door at 10:45...haven't seemed to have managed that last time shift (9 pm sunsets don't help).  Drove the Southern Scenic Route, choosing the site we wanted to stop for--absolute must drive.  Had packed sandwiches and Doritos for lunch.  

1.  Stopped at Nugget Point and walked up to the lighthouse.  This is one area a camper would not be able to drive to.

2.  Purakunai Falls.  World-famous photography setting.

3.  McLean Falls.  Go all the way up--where you can see the top of the water fall.  At the half-way point we almost didn't go further because there was water coming down the trail.  Upper part is worth it.  Can climb the rocks further in the "upper part."  Saw the LDS missionaries here--had to take a picture for proof.

4.  Curio Bay.  Fossilized forest.  Only one of three in the world that is easily accessible. Would be a lovely, lovely place to get a flipkey.com rental--if any had been left.  Saw one rare yellow-eyed penguin at 4:30--who usually come out between 5 and 7.  Bought huge milkshakes at Porpoise Bay--30 seconds-ish around the corner.  

5.  Passed millions of sheep along the way and arrived in Invercargill at Admiral Court at 6:30--lovely owners.  The city has a very fancy water tower. Chose to eat at Ascot Chinese Take-out for $85, ridiculously large portions but would skip "next time" and choose a different restaurant--it wasn't very good.