Slope Point – The southernmost point of New Zealand

From Balclutha out it was not far to the Catlins, a region of green meadows, pristine forests and a rugged coastline. In the Catlins many animals are at home: Seerobben, Penguins, Dolphins and even whales can see with a bit of luck here. Our first stop was at Nugget Point. On the way to the lighthouse we heard down from the cliff a few strange noises and discovered upon closer inspection several see seals. Sheltered from the people they could doze in peace there, play, swim and there was even a seal "kindergarten" – a kind of natural small pool on the rocks where the baby seals were seen swimming safely under the watchful eyes of their mothers. That was very cute to look at. The Nugget Point Lighthouse stands on a rock high above the sea. From up here, we had a great view, on the rocks lying below the water, on which cavorted more seals. Here we would still remain for hours and can watch the animals.
Then we went further and saw many cows and more sheep. When we stopped the car for a photo stop, we could hear the loud bleating and mooing from all corners. Further south,, an der Curio Bay, We parked our car at a campsite right by the sea and surrounded by huge flax plants. We went straight to the sea, because we wanted to see the rare yellow-eyed penguins there. And we were lucky! We could see more of the funny animals and even a mother with her two boys. The two looked not even like real penguins from, because they had a gray, fluffy fur. She waddled after their mother bravely. And always when a stone or a small ledge on their way lay, they hopped a little awkward about it. It looked pretty funny. The area, in which reside the yellow-eyed penguins, is a fossil- or. Petrified Forest. At low tide you can walk around here and see the fossilized tree up close.
Pretty secluded and lonely by the sea on New Zealand's South Island, we spent a quiet New Year's Eve without a bang, Firecrackers and rockets. Once completely different than usual at home in Germany.
The new year began for us with a walk along the Porpoise Bay, right next to the campsite. Here we could on the sea, the fins of Hector's dolphins, one of the smallest and rarest dolphin species in the world, watch. Unfortunately, they have not jumped into the air, as one would always imagined so beautiful. When we had enough of Delfinbeobachten, we drove on to Slope Point, the southernmost point of New Zealand.