Drive from Purakaunui... to Curio Bay

Well rested we set off to take in a number of the waterfalls that our located in this region; Purakaunui Falls, Maclean Falls and a third the name of which escapes me.

We'd been recommended a great campsite by a friendly internet cafe owner in Dunedin which was supposed to be located on the top of the headland looking down into Curio Bay beach where dolphins and seals were supposed to reside. We arrived in the early afternoon and the campsite was beautiful, with each individual site cut back into dense folliage and only a short walk down to the beach.

After a quick settle in and getting the laundry done (these tasks don't get left behind at home you know) we strolled down to the beach on the look out for a pod of dolphins or perhaps a seal or two.

Alas, no dolphins on this afternoon, but we did come across a seal lazing about on the beach. We stopped, sat and watched for a while hoping he'd get a bit more animated... Our patienced paid off as the little fella suddenly sat up, stretched, pooped and decided it was time to head for the water.

Not nearly as agile or elegant on land he was soon darting about in the water just off shore and ocassionally body surfing the small waves into shore. Making his way across the beach he appeared to get curious about a group of 6 or so people waist deep in the water so he went over to investigate...right in the middle of them!

The people got quite a fright when they finally spotted him and whilst he did seem to be just playing around with them a couple of times he did bear some frighteningly sharp teeth!

A stop off at New Zealands southern most point and lunch in Invercargill and then we were off to the Fiordlands.