Christchurch to Dunedin

Leaving Christchurch the following day, we picked up our rented car at the airport. Bit nerve-racking for both driver and passenger to start out on the "wrong" side of the road from a busy airport and intersection - takes some getting used to. For those of you used to driving on the right side of the road, imagine everything is completely opposite - both inside the car (blinker lights, windshield wipers to name just two things) and on the road - like roundabouts where you definitely have to LOOK and YIELD RIGHT to avoid a collision!

We were warned that the route between Christchurch and Timaru would be uninteresting, termed in fact as "the most boring" stretch of road in New Zealand – which turned out to be true. Since our aim was to get to Dunedin by the end of the day, we chose to drive that route regardless. An alternative route – which we took on the way back to the east coast from Twizel – is the Inland Scenic Highway 72. 

We stopped at Omaru for lunch at an old hotel in the "historical precinct". Very quaint. There is also a penguin colony there, that means, a managed habitat that has an entrance fee. Fair enough since they maintain an eco-environment for the birds. Colony or not, we would have had to wait until dusk for a chance to get a peek at these shy creatures, but we had to move on to reach Dunedin by evening.

Next stop Moeraki Boulders – at first sight thought "just a bunch of rocks on the beach" but then realized how incredible they are. Understand why the Maori consider this a sacred spot. Geologically, we learn, they are "concretions”. Spiritually and scientifically, truly extraordinary.

Arrive in Dunedin at our B&B, Albatross Inn, on George St with its Edwardian buildings of yesteryear at dusk – just when the penguins are appearing at sheltered spots all along the coast. Dunedin is a very charming town. The most famous and historic building is the old railway station. People we met along the way recommended taking a walking tour to see all the historic sites – sounded like a great idea. However, our time was limited; our next day was totally dedicated to the Otago Peninsula, an amazingly beautiful place.