drive to DUNEDIN: falls, walks

Saturday, February 24, 2007
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
No dolphins this morning in the Bay at the campground.
Continuing the drive east through Catlins. 
Many stops and several walks along this remarkable scenic drive: 
Niagara Falls: Named by a surveyor with an obvious sense of humor! The ironically named falls share little in resemblance with gigantic Niagara Falls. In fact, they are probably one of the smallest falls in the Catlins. Today they were almost nothing. 
McLean Falls on the Tautuku River. Very pleasant walk uphill but not too steep. Really pretty with the high drop and the lower cascades.
Cathedral Cave was closed. The sea caves located at northern end of Waipati Beach can only be accessed at low tide. Our timing was off. 
Lake Wilkie: Small, scenic lake near Tautuku Bay, south of Dunedin. Short walk to a boardwalk over part of the lake, which was formed when chunk of ice was trapped during last ice age.  It's slowly filling in and becoming a bog lake.  
Perfect flat water with amazing reflection!
Florence Hill Lookout: Short gravel road led to this hill with fabulous sweeping views of Tautuku Bay with a beautiful sandy beach cove. Description says spouting cave; couldn't see anything spouting.  The quartz content of the sand almost createed a glow.

Purakauni Falls: Three-tiered falls is one of Catlins iconic, most-photographed sights. Easy path through beech forest to the top viewing platform. Descended steps for the best view. Most dramatic falls along the southern scenic drive.

Nugget Point Wildlife Bay
was beautiful; however, not worth driving on 14km of bad dirt roads.  Could not drive RV up to the lighthouse perched on the steep headland. 
Kaka Point beautiful--setting up for wedding on beach. 
Drove to campground:  
DUNEDIN HOLIDAY PARK
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