Kaka Point
 
One of the most visited sites on the peninsula is the "Royal Albatross Colony".
 
It is the only continental colony of this species with a size up to 3 m.
 
During the breeding season, the visit is limited so as not to disturb them, but the access price is identical and above all exorbitant.
 
We decide not to go and prefer to see sea lions at "Pilots Beach" and "Victory Beach" where we take a one-and-a-half hour hike along the beach.
 
To leave the peninsula, we take the "Portobello Road" along the coast
 
Back in Dunedin, we make a stop for supplies ... !!!
 
Our fridge and storage cupboards are small, so we have to do the shopping almost every day. We also plan the future stages because here we pass through villages rather than cities where supermarkets do not exist.
 
To reach our evening stage, we cross a beautiful heath area.
Harwood
 
Before heading to the Otago Peninsula we make a stop at "Dunedin"
 
The city, founded in 1848 by the Scots, has a unique charm thanks to the excellent conservation of its buildings with Victorian and Edwardian architecture
 
* Railways station: Built in the Victorian style, in 1906, the station is the most photographed monument in the country. This station is now mainly a tourist attraction.
 
* The Octagon :  This octagon-shaped space is surrounded by ancient and iconic landmarks. On one side there are many bars, cafes and restaurants and on the other side there are important buildings of the city such as the library, a theater, the town hall.
 
* First Church of Otago: The city’s first Presbyterian church, built between 1868 and 1873, can accommodate over 1,000 people.
 
After lunch we take the circuit of the Otago Peninsula.
 
This peninsula has many attractions such as the exceptional accessibility of its wildlife. Indeed, there are fur seals, sea lions but also Antipodes penguins or one of the most important colonies of royal albatros.
 
We first visit the gardens of ' Larnach Castle ... Nothing extraordinary and especially very expensive.
 
Then the " Sandfly bay ": To reach this beach and see sea lions and seals, you have to take a sandy path.
 
The return is difficult, the climb through the sand dunes being quite steep and unstable. Fortunately our furry friends are present
.
A free parking area for campervan welcomes us tonight.
Waikouaiti
 
The good weather is back.
 
We are in the charming rural part of the country. The shift from arid uplands to more humid and temperate coastal lowlands begins. There are no major cities or tourist attractions.
 
We reach the seaside at " Oamaru ". A small town with some historic buildings that give it a very English touch!
 
It is best known for the " Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony ". Unfortunately, this is not the right season to admire this species of penguins.
 
Then we travel in the wonderful world of Steampunk: A museum at least original, with machines straight out of science fiction books like those of Jules Verne.
 
We are back on the road to "Moeraki Boulders"
 
These boulders are round stones scattered along a section of the beach. This round, very regular shape is surprising. In fact, these rocks are the result of erosion. They come from the adjacent cliffs that over the years, eroding, have seen part of their rock collapse and fall on the beach below. To reach this size, researchers estimate that it took 4 million years and that these sediment clusters were formed 60 million years ago.
 
We find refuge tonight by the sea on a huge sandy beach.
Kuro
 
The Waitaki Valley is on the agenda.
 
We take the road along the lake " Pukaki ". This lake, with its turquoise blue, seems almost unreal and the magical panorama it offers with Mount Cook is simply magic.
 
On our way we stop at the " High Country Salmon".
 
Here, high-end Chinook (or King) salmon are grown in the icy waters of Mackenzie Country’s canals.
 
The constant flow of virgin water makes salmon firm in flesh, and soft on the palate.
 
We stop there and buy this famous salmon ... It turns out to be delicious.
 
Then we continue our descent towards the sea and make a small detour to the "Clay Cliffs" of Omarama.
 
These clay cliffs offer a striking spectacle with peaks that rise to almost 30 meters high almost vertically. It is a landscape of supernatural beauty and which does not seem to be of natural origin with its pastel yellow hue where white and brown layers mix. These are layers of gravel and silt that were washed by glacial rivers millions of years ago.
 
It is sunny with increasingly threatening clouds in the late afternoon.
 
We choose to stay overnight at a campsite to benefit from electricity and do laundry.
 
Before, we have a natural fruit ice cream ... A treat!!!
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