Penguins, Seals, Sea Lions and Sheep

Maori Rock Drawings

We wake up more rested today… Yeah!

Our first unplanned stop is to see the Maori Rock Drawings at Takiroa. John is very excited by the drawings, I am excited by all the birds nests in the limestone.

Elephant Rocks

The next stop is a field of 25 million year old humungous limestone boulders called Elephant Rocks. This was the area used to film Aslan’s camp in the movie, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia). I don’t know why they call it Elephant Rocks, nothing even comes close to resembling an elephant or …a herd…except they are grey.

This area was once the bottom of an ancient sea. After the land was raised and the bottom exposed erosion of the limestone rock by the elements over millions of years created the present day rocks.

We drive through hilly farmland dotted with cows, sheep and sometimes horses.

Oamaru and Bushy Beach

We have lunch in the pretty seaside city of Oamaru. It’s a steep drive to the lookout but the beautiful view is worth it.

Just outside of town is Bushy Beach, known for its sea lion, fur seal and yellow eyed penguins. Nothing is built up around the beach. It is a steepish climb down but once there we see lots of seals and one moulting yellow eyed penguin. The rest of the penguin colony is apparently out at sea and usually only returns two hours before dusk.

We had to get past a big seal to get to the stairway back up. It was a little scary. Click here for the video.

I could have stayed a little longer in this city but we have a few other places to go before checking into our B&B.

Moeraki Boulders

Next stop is the Moeraki Boulders. There are about fifty or so roundish large boulders on the beach (some under the waves or sand). Some are cracked in half. Very strange. The beach even without the boulders is beautiful.

Katiki Point and Shag Point

Nearby, about a 15 minute drive, is Katiki Point. There is a lighthouse here and it is a wildlife reserve. They especially do a lot of work with the yellow eyed penguin (which is the rarest penguin in the world).

We actually see a wild yellow eyed penguin as well as many seal and sea lions. One seal got very angry when John got too close and vocally told him off before moving a few more feet away.

We stop at Shag Point Lookout which is another great place for seeing sea lions and seals.

Dunedin

Time to head to our Airbnb Bed and Breakfast in Dunedin.

The Airbnb is lovely and has a great view of the harbour and pretty gardens. It’s a 5 minute drive to the City Centre. We check out the historic old railway station, built in grand British Empire style, and head to an Irish pub for supper.