The Northward Track

After leaving Dunedin on Nov 28th, the direction remains north, with only slight diversions, until we get back to Auckland in about 10 days.

We found another very nice DOC campground at an out-of-the-way place called Trotter’s Gorge. It was only about 5 km off the main highway, but you could have been in a secluded valley miles away. There were probably 10 other vehicles staying there that night and we woke to blue skies and nice temperatures.

Just up the coast were the Moreaki Boulders. I’m not really sure of the proper geological term, but they might be very large geodes. Some had fallen apart, revealing a semi-hollow interior. In any case, they are like large, round boulders just lying on the beach. Probably about 4 feet high, partially buried in the sand. Interesting.

The “town” of Oamaru turned out to be a city of 12,000 with a surprising number of very nice sandstone buildings and another excellent public gardens. We continue to be amazed at how nice these public gardens are in New Zealand, keeping in mind that most of them were started back when the cities were first founded (over 130 years ago) and they aren’t just “parks”; they are botanical gardens with themed areas (Rhododendron Glades, azalia plots, rose gardens, and so on). Oamaru’s did a good job with various water gardens along with everything else. This town also had a breeding population of Blue Penguins, but we were there at the wrong time of day so we skipped it.

We’ll be in Christchurch in the morning (November 30). Christchurch is reputed to be a very “British” city. We’re planning to do the mid-city wander to try and get a feel for the place. After a great morning, the day’s weather has slowly deteriorated to cloud and a cool drizzle.