Invercargill Off The Beaten Path

Horseshoe Waterfalls, and once again you pass through Podocarp forest to see these small, 10metre falls.
These falls are on the same track as to Matai Falls, when you reach a junction, take the path to the right and walk (mostly uphill) for another 2 minutes to view Horseshoe Falls.

From Owaka, continue driving South on the Papatowai Highway for approximately 18 km until you see a sign for Matai Falls.

LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

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Located on a high knob jutting out into the Ocean is New Zealand's oldest Lighthouse, built in 1869.
The area is a wildlife sanctuary for Yellow-eyed Penguins, fur seals, elephant seals and many sea birds. We saw lots of Seals here. There is a viewing hide for the Penguins, the best time to see them is dusk.

The Nuggets are all the very tiny islands / rocks that are in the Ocean, somebody thought of a clever name!
It is only a 20min walk from the car park to the lighthouse.

A very scenic area, and I would call it a MUST VISIT!

LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

On one of our days at Invercargill, we decided to drive to Gore,
"THE WORLD BROWN TROUT CAPITAL" , to see the town and the surrounding district.
We were lucky the day was fine, as around here, Rainfall is very high, ranging from annually 750mm to 1,000mm per year.

The town of Gore takes its name from Colonel Thomas Gore-Browne, Governor of New Zealand from 1855 to 1861.
The area has quite scenic landscapes, I love the Poplar trees in the area, and also the nice gardens growing Peonies, Magnolias, and bulbs that I can't grow at home.

Although officially a ‘dry’ area from 1903 to as late as 1954 the "Hokonui" stills became famous for their production of illicit whisky which flourished until World War II.
The Hokonui Moonshine Museum tells the story of illicit whisky making in this region. If you enjoy a Whisky, you can buy “Old Hokonui” whisky, made to the original local recipe from the centre. Would you believe, that late February every year, the hold a Moonshiners Festival!

OPEN.....Monday to Friday – 8.30am to 4.30pm.....Hokonui Drive, Gore
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: (Summer) – 9.30am to 3.30pm - (Winter) – 1.00pm to 3.30pm
Phone....(03) 203 9288
ADMISSION.... Adults $5.00 (children free, but must be accompanied by an adult)

http://www.hokonuiwhiskey.com/hokonui.html

Today farming, rural services, forestry, meat, and tourism are the district’s major industries.
From October through to March the dictrict receives lots of visitors trying to catch the local Brown Trout.

We found a large Brown Trout Monument in the Town.

Cannibal Bay, I had read, was a place where it was likely to Sea Lions in the wild as it was a breeding and resting ground for Hooker’s sea lions and elephant seals.
We were in luck, there were three on the Beach. We knew not to walk on the Beach between them and the Ocean, so we stood on a high bank and looked down on them. We were quiet, and just observed them, they did not seem bothered with us being there. I certainly wouldn't want to upset them though, a Male Sea Lion can weigh up to 500kg.

LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE.

Matai Falls is located in the Table Hill Scenic Reserve in the Catlins, south of Dunedin and Balclutha in Coastal Otago New Zealand.
The walk to the waterfall is through regenerating podocarp and broadleaf forest and is mostly level track, just a small area that will be uphill on the return journey. These falls are not large either, only a 10metre drop, but they are quite pretty.

After approximately 15 minutes, you’ll come up to a junction where you can go either left to a viewing platform to see Matai Falls or right and walk (mostly uphill) for another 2 minutes to view Horseshoe Falls.

From Owaka, continue driving South on the Papatowai Highway for approximately 18km until you see a sign for Matai Falls.

Remember when walking in these areas, it can be quite cold as the sunlight has trouble to peep through

McLean Falls are really beautiful! The walk there is gorgeous in its own right, passing by mossy rocks and through podocarp forest and huge tree fuchsia's.

McLean Falls are located on the Tautuku River in Catlins Forest Park. They are a series of falls, with the main ones plunging over mossy rocks, a 22mtr drop, and then carrying on downstream and over two smaller cascades.
They are often said to be one of the prettiest in New Zealand, and I could certainly agree with that comment.

The entrance to the McLean Falls River Walk is three kilometres from the Southern Scenic Route on Rewcastle Road, near Tautuku.

It is an easy 40min return walk, and is worth doing!

Walking in this area amongst the forest, it was quite cool to cold, so you may need a jacket, I did!

LOCATED ON THE SOUTHERN SCENIC ROUTE

Slope Point.....THE Southermost point on the South Island.

It is located just south of Waikawa, and north of Otara. To reach the point you take a short 20min walk along a track on private property. Sheep are plenty in this area, and the grass is so.. green!
A AA signpost at Slope Point shows the distance to the Equator and the South Pole.

The views are great of the rocky coastline and surrounding cliffs and the wind power is incredible, it took me all my effort to stand on my own two feet, and I made sure I didn't stand too near the cliff edge. Not only is the wind strong, but it is cold! straight from Antartica I think!
Have a look at the photo, that shows how much and how strong the wind is here. There is a Hut hidden in behind the Trees!

Located about 70kms from Invercargill

Bluff has a history of Whaling and Sealing, but is also well known for its Oysters. The port of Bluff, is home of the Bluff Oysters, some of the best in the world, they say, I don't know, because I don't eat them. The Oyster season runs from April to August.

At the Bluff Maritime Museum, we found out about the history of oystering and whaling, also about the town of Bluff, seeing some old artwork of "Olden Bluff." Located beside the Museum is the oystering boat the "Monica," a chance to climb aboard and understand the workings of a real oyster boat.

If you are cooking your own meals on holiday and fancy some fresh seafood, then this is the place to buy it. It is always nice to buy freshly caught seafood!
Follow the sign to the Island Harbour entrance and to your left you will find the factory of Big Glory Seafoods. During factory hours [8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm Monday to Friday], you can purchase fish caught in the waters here.

The Museum is open on weekends 1pm - 5pm