heading east...
Still shivering and wet from my unexpected dip in the Kawarau River, I collected the usual souvenirs (DVD, tee, photos, etc) and we were on our way again. It's one of the more interesting diversions I've taken on a road trip, that's for sure.
East across Otago to Cromwell at the junction of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers, along the north edge of Lake Dunstan (the result of construction of the impressive Clyde Hydroelectric Dam), then following the Clutha River through Alexandra and south overlooking spectacular rugged landscapes of native grasses irregularly punctured by rock fragments. The river contrasted by the beautifully bleak landscape is something that you don't get tired of seeing, while the road winds and eases, following the natural contours of the valleys. Past the Roxburgh Hydroelectric Dam and through Roxburgh itself, then more directly south to Beaumont, Lawrence and Milton nearer the coast where a turn north directs you towards Mosgiel and Dunedin. By the time we arrived there it was evening and a good opportunity to find somewhere to eat and stay for the night. Dunedin feels like a smaller Brisbane to me, with the charm and style of Melbourne (pronounced by its position at the end of the Otago Harbour); it oozes history and heritage.
The next morning it was time for some more exploration and it was difficult to resist a tour of the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, located near the city's centre just outside The Octagon - a concentric series of streets in an octagonal layout containing many historic buildings and public resources. The tour was interesting and worthwhile, however no photos can be taken upon entering the factory. It has a very Willy Wonka feel to it!
Dunedin is also home to the world's steepest street, Baldwin Street. It's quite an effort to get to the top, as can be attested to by the guy catching his breath while I was taking this photo...
Beginning the journey back to Christchurch, where we had only stayed briefly (on the night we arrived, then again on the way through to Queenstown), we left Dunedin and travelled along the coast. There are towns scattered the entire length of the east coast, so the journey takes quite some time as you make your way slowly through many of them. However, there's a lot to see!
Out through Waitati, Warrington, up and around to Waikouaiti then following the plains to Palmerston before nearing the coastline once more.
After Palmerston and just before Hampden is the small town of Moeraki. It's a spot to get out of the car and take a look, if only for the Moeraki Boulders, the unbelievably-natural giant spheres of stone which are slowly being revealed by erosion on the Koekohe Beach.
Up to several metres in diameter and weighing several thousand kilograms, these natural wonders formed approximately 60 million years ago (around the time the dinosaurs died out).
It's another great example of just how many unique and unusual features New Zealand has to offer!
Leaving the coast, travelling directly north via Hampden and Herbert before edging back towards the ocean through Maheno, Oamaru and Glenavy, the plains became increasingly snow-covered. The snow from days prior was still causing havoc for residents and farmers of the Canterbury Plains, with widespread power outages, communications difficulties and water supply issues.
For much of the way to Timaru the fields as far as the eye could see were white, with the theme continued through Temuka and up to Ashburton (now tracking north easterly).
The consistently cold weather would retain the snow for many more days.
Further across and over some amazing rivers, their waters generated by the mountains to the west, the trip concluded through Rakaia, Dunsandel, Burnham, Rolleston and Templeton. Back in familiar-yet-unfamiliar Christchurch we settled in to get some good food and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow involved another early start and our last full day in Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud), with a trip on the TranzApline through the Southern Alps to the west of South Island and back again!