Today has been one of those days when all of the planning I did back in October and November has totally paid dividends. I'd looked at the daily routes, and then noted down the things I thought may be good to see and do close to those routes.
Today between Dunedin and Curio Bay was basically a tour of waterfalls, but I could remember nothing about any of them (apart from the last one for what will be obvious reasons). The perfect day for exploring waterfalls is sunshine from when I park the car to when I return, and rain while I'm driving. That's pretty much what we've had today, and I've therefore probably seen some waterfalls at their very best. What I hadn't planned on though was single figure temperatures; I was glad of the fleece and rain jacket today!
All checked out and away from the hotel at 09:00, the first planned stop was 1hour 48 minutes away according to Google Maps. I stopped an hour down the road at Balcutha to top up the fuel and for a coffee, then made my way to Purakaunui Falls. This turned out to be the exception to the perfectly planned day as the heavens opened while I was under the cover of the canopy of foliage. Down a path to the falls, and for the days starter this turned out to be a good one.
Back to the car park, and I waited under the cover of the trees for the rain to ease off a little, then made the dash to the car.
Away from here, and the next target was Matai Falls Path; the rain stopped as I pulled into the car park, and a 30 minute return walk was promised. What I'd totally forgotten about this is that there were two waterfalls involved. I reached a point where the path split; a sign pointed up a sharp incline promising that I'd reach Horseshoe Falls in 2 minutes, and the trail ahead was for Matai Falls. I took the high path first, and was soon looking at Horseshoe Falls.
Back down to join the main path, and 100 metres on I was at Matai Falls
As I approached the car on completing the walk, the rains started again and hammered down as I started making my way to the next planned stop. I was on my way to McLean Falls, but on the way the rain abated as I approached Florence Hill Lookout. This was on my list but I'd decided to drive by in the rain, but the rain had stopped and so did I. Florence Hill Lookout gave a great view of the coast to the south, and a golden beach with some fantastic crashing surf. Out of the car and it was cold and windy, so just a quick stop for photos and videos before being on my way again.
Onto the car park for McLean falls, and I bumped into some folks I'd seen at some of the other falls; we all seemed to be on a similar plan for the day. A 40 minute return walk was promised, and that's the way it turned out. This was by far the best waterfall I've seen today, and the best I've seen in the South Island to date. First a stop at a fall called 'The Chute' before following some steps upward, and soon McLean Falls was before me. I would describe it, but a picture does it far more justice:-
Only two falls left on my list; the next to be targeted was Koropuku Falls. Parked in a layby beside the road, the sign for the falls wasn't a DOC sign, and the path start was a narrow entrance through the bush. A narrow path followed with breeze block stepping stones to ford the stream, and then the path made of small logs.
It seemed a very primitive trail after the government DOC maintained paths, but I continued however unpromising it seemed. Up some poorly maintained steps, at which point I met a lady on a crutch who complained of a bad achilles (talk about preaching to the converted!) and the wrong shoes but she'd made it, so I continued and after what seemed a very precarious scramble over some rocks I came to the fall.
It was totally worth the effort, with the falls forming a curtain down into the pool below.
The final falls I visited today is one I had remembered. New Zealand has in the depths of the southland a town named Niagara, and the river that flows through it has Niagara Falls (NZ), so I had to pay this a visit (especially as it was only 100 metres away from the road to my final destination today). A sign full of grandeur, but lets just say that the reality didn't quite match ..... someone has a great sense of humour that I can appreciate!
By now I was only 8 km from my nights motel, so back onto the road. On a sharp turn I saw a glimpse of a beach and surf, but didn't have a chance to stop. I found my motel with the plan to return once I'd checked in, but that turned out to be unnecessary as I have the following views from my room. Looks like I'll be going to sleep tonight to the sound of surf.
Where I'm staying tonight has a couple of notable factors. Firstly, it's the furthest south I'll be on this whole trip, and is therefore probably also the furthest south I'll ever go. It's also the point in New Zealand closest to the antipode of home, so it'll also be the furthest from home that I'm likely ever to be.
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