This part of the Southern Scenic is particularly windy (Invercargill).
I am thankful I am on the Harley, it’s too big and heavy to make any sudden changed of direction.
Southern Scenic, Southlands, New Zealand
Day: 16 January 2007
Southland Museum
Invercargill has penguins walking the streets in the winter.
I have heard this therefore it must be true.
To find out some more interesting facts to be had about the area, I’ve taken some time out to visit the
There are some nice displays on Maori art. And other bits and pieces that indicate Maori efficiency at catching fish.
Here are some Maori clubs.
Maori clubs, Southland Museum, New Zealand
The Maori used a full bodied thrusting action to gain maximum effect from these stubby clubs.
Sub-Antarctic islands
Upstairs at the museum is a exhibit by Greenpeace about the southern islands or the sub-Antarctic islands.
Windswept, cold, full of seagulls.
Fate
Each island tells a story of unlucky travellers after being thrashed upon the rocks, clambering up to face death or starvation or de-hydration under grotesque circumstances.
Whalers, sealers or seamen were forced to eat whelks, limpets anything they could get their hands on.
Differing explorers suffered different fates, which are documented.
One group made a go of it.
By the time they were picked up they had cultivated 2 hectares of potatoes and harvested 3,000 seal skins.
Kelvin Hotel – Invercargill
Petrol tank gauge is showing empty and I just make it into the Invercargill before the Hog starts spluttering.
Find this hotel. 
It’s called the Kelvin.
It’s cheap $104. When I go to the room, there are some French journalists broadcasting something from the lobby window using a laptop and a satellite phone.
Burn
When I look in the mirror I realise I have got a sunburnt face.
My hands are burnt as well.
Will have to remember sun cream for the long rides.
Broadband
The hotel has broadband so I can get some work done in the morning.
Weblinks: Kelvin Hotel – Invercargill
The road to Invercargill
Today I am going to journey southwards.
I plan to drop in on Duneden and Invercargill.
Dunedin
Have just driven through the town-centre.
It really isn’t worth getting off the bike.
Re-Fill
Stop a Micky-dees in the industrial estate for essential carbs.
The Southern Scenic route
This winds it’s way gently through the lowlands surrounding the south-east of New Zealands south island.
It’s free.
It passes through The Catlin National park Nature Reserve.
It runs from Dunedin right through to Invercargill taking in many impressive sights on the way.
Here’s some pictures I took along the way.
Southern Scenic Route, New Zealand
Southern Scenic Route, New Zealand
Southern Scenic Route, New Zealand
Purakaunui Falls.
A stopover point a couple of km’s of the main route on a dirt track.
It’s impressive because the falls are in a semi-tropical setting, canopy sub-canopy, Lyrebirds etc.
Tuatuku Beach
Like Harlech beach for length and spread, this one stretches for miles and you can get a great view from the headland.
Mclean Falls
Located slightly of the road.
After a tramp through the bushes, you are rewarded.
Youths were cooking noodles on the rocks at the base. One is obscuring the picture here.
Mclean Falls, New Zealand
Here’s a view from the 5km unmade road you need to travel down to reach the Mclean falls.
Cathedral Caves
Located on private land, you have to pay to get into this one.
As you enter the gate keeper hut, they sell postcards of different views of the caves which are located on the shoreline.
There is even one picture with a couple getting married.
Weblinks: Southern Scenic Route – New Zealand
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Another place which is worth a visit, is the Kiwi Bird Sactuary.
This has live Kiwi’s to watch in their natural habitat.
It has some interesting bits of natural wild-birdlife up-close, including walk-in aviaries, allowing the birds to grab hold of any attractive sundries you may have about your person.
Doesn’t happen often, but there is an amusing story about a missing lens cover on the audio-guide supplied when you walk in.
Visit @ 11am or 3pm to take advantage of the live Maouri show.
Here’s a few pictures.
Walk in Aviary, Kiwi Birdlife Park, Queenstown
Some ducks hanging out.
Kiwi Birdlife Park, Queenstown, New Zealand
Maouri Hut, Kiwi Birdlife Park, New Zealand
A Maouri house before settlers arrived.
A whole Maouri family whould fit in one of these.
They used to sleep close to the floor so as to overwhelm attackers when they stooped down spearing them in the face.