Otago Peninsula and Stewart Island
This morning I woke to wonder if my room at Larnach Castle Lodge had blown away in last night's gale force winds. Relieved it was still there, we took a tour of the Castle which was built by an Australian, William Larnach, in 1871. If they had television in those days Larnach's life would have been a Logie award winning drama. He had three wives and shot himself after the third had an affair with his son. Good times.
After several scandalous stories, we weaved our way from Larnach Castle further down the Peninsula to board a Monarch Wildlife cruise. Clive gave us pointers on how to photograph albatross in flight. Not easy when these giant sea birds reach speeds of up to 115kph! For Camilla the highlight was photographing the rare and endemic hectors dolphins that surrounded the boat.
Once docked at Weller's Rock, we hit the road again following the Southern Scenic Route to Stewart Island — NZ's third Island. After a short flight from Invercargill airport with Stewart Island Flights we were greeted on to the Island by a feast of famous Bluff Oysters. I'm not usually an oyster fan, but felt obliged to try the delicacy. Let's just say, the following day with minutes to spare, I ordered a dozen to take away for the return flight to Invercargill!
We made our way to remote Mason Bay which was a true Kiwi adventure. No mobile phone coverage, no internet, no shower and just a long drop for the toilet. Blogger Neerav seemed slightly on edge with this lack of technology!
With our Ruggedy Range guide we were on a mission to photograph Kiwi in the wild. Stewart Island is the only place on earth to do this and the only place the Kiwi bird venture out during daylight hours. There are around 20,000 Kiwi on Stewart Island but we saw only footprints, feathers and poo! Except for Neerav who had a Kiwi run through his legs whilst stumbling to the long drop!
Even if like me, you don't get a photograph of NZ's icon, Stewart Island has plenty more to offer photourists. Intricate plants, historic homesteads, local hunters and sweeping sand dunes to name just a few.
The dining room of Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only Castle. The adjacent lodge with quirky themed rooms was where we stayed last night.
Rainbow over Larnach Castle gardens, the only South Island garden to receive the highest quality rating from the NZ Gardens Trust.
The exterior of Larnach Castle built by Australian William Larnach in 1871.
A northern royal albatross swooping around the only mainland breeding colony of these giant sea birds. www.wildlife.co.nz.
A highlight for Camilla were these hectors dolphins which are only found in New Zealand. The dolphins were spotted onboard the Monarch Wildlife cruise.p>
A feast of seafood including famous Bluff Oysters at the South Seas Hotel, Stewart Island.
Helicopter into remote Mason Bay on Stewart Island with our Ruggedy Range guide
Searching for kiwi amongst the lush vegetation at Mason Bay with our Ruggedy Range guide.
Even without a photo of a kiwi Stewart Island offers photourists so much more including moody skies and sweeping sand dunes.
Perhaps my bright red jacket frightened off the kiwi!
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