From Disembarkation to Dunedin
- Rediscovering New Zealand: An Expedition to the Subantarctic and South Island Adventures
- Our Adventure Begins in Queenstown
- A Day Trip to The Remarkables and Glenorchy
- Te Anu and Milford Sound
- An Overnight Cruise in Doubtful Sound with Fiordland Expeditions
- Our "Galapagos of the Southern Ocean" Expedition Officially Begins
- Embarkation Day: Setting Sail for New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
- Navigating Rough Seas at the Snares
- A Day in the Auckland Islands
- Discovering Macquarie Island
- A Glorious Day at Sandy Bay
- Christmas at Sea and the Wonders of Campbell Island
- Exploring Enderby Island
- A Surprise Second Shot at the Snares
- From Disembarkation to Dunedin
- A Heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mt. Cook
- Lake Tekapo Weather Woes
- Chasing Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura
- Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track (well, part of it)
Disembarkation day always carries a hint of melancholy, almost like the end of a relationship. We docked at Bluff around 8 AM and, being bound for Invercargill Airport, we were among the last to disembark at around 9:30 AM. The drive to the airport was quiet and reflective.
Arriving at the airport before the Budget rental car office opened, we used the courtesy phone, and thankfully, someone came down so we could pick up our car without much delay. With time to spare before we could check into our Airbnb, we decided to detour to Nugget Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse, established in 1870, stands majestically on a steep headland surrounded by rocky islets known as “The Nuggets.” The walk to the lighthouse offered a refreshing 2km return trip with spectacular views and a charming ‘Sea Lion Crossing’ sign along the way.
We passed through Dunedin, a city known for its Scottish and Maori heritage and the gateway to the wildlife-rich areas of the Otago Peninsula. Still early for check-in, we explored the surrounding areas, discovering the beautiful Sandy Point Nature Reserve—a sheep paddock atop the cliffs offering stunning views—and driving along Hoppers Inlet, where we spotted an array of wildlife including black swans, seals, egrets, spoonbills, stilts, ducks, rabbits, and hawks.
Our Airbnb, ‘The Bothy,’ was a tranquil retreat on a working farm atop the cliffs of the Otago Peninsula, providing a serene environment to relax and regain our land legs.
We hadn’t booked any experiences in advance, as we didn’t know how much rest we would need after the 12-day expedition. This turned out to be a mistake as the tours to see the little penguins were all sold out. Despite our relaxed pace, we ventured out to explore a few local attractions:
- Orokuni Bird Sanctuary: After a somewhat disappointing experience in Te Anu, this sanctuary was a delightful surprise, showcasing wild Tui, Kaka, and Takahe among other native species.
- Allans Beach: A stunning, windswept beach with its resident sea lions.
- Hoopers Inlet: Home to hundreds of black swans, cygnets, and spoonbills.
We had a very quiet New Year’s Eve which included a trip to a laundromat in Dunedin and macaroni and cheese for dinner. Quite a change from last year!
Our time on the Otago Peninsula was restorative, perfectly priming us for the next, more energetic phase of our journey.
