Angela Dixon
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka ▷
Catlins River Walk
I lived in Owaka for a year in 1992 and loved this walk then and still love it on my return to NZ.
If you don't have time for the whole walk then start at the Wisp. There isn't a campsite at that end so you'll have to drive there but on a 6km there and 6 back walk you go over 3 of the 1 person at a time metal swing bridges which are my favourite thing about this walk.
The highest and scariest swing bridge is about 3-4k from the wisp before the Wallis stream picnic area.
You see hardly anyone, there are loads of bellbirds singing to you in the rainforest as you walk and despite the recent heavy rain it is nearly all pleasant and dry underfoot.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka ▷
Pounawea Bush Walking Track
I love this walk.
It is about 2.5km covering bush and estuary starting at Pounawea motorcamp site (which I also love.) Do it at low tide if you want to walk on the estuary although you can just walk in the bush. Wear footwear you don't mind getting damp on the estuary (boots/ walking sandals). Start in the bush as it can be hard to find the estuary opening otherwise. Beautiful native untouched rain forest with loads of bellbirds and tuis. The tree info signs are old and hard to read. Walking back along the estuary we saw small scuttling crabs, loads of wading birds including spoonbills and a sea lion.
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South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka ▷
Newhaven to Cannibal Bay Walk
10km return walk taking us 2 1/2 hours as it was very windy on Surat bay so we didn't linger.
Beautiful sandy beaches with sea lions. Cross from Surat bay to Cannibal bay at the track at the end of Surat by the cliffs. If you try crossing too early you can struggle in the dunes. Sea lions may be sleeping in the dunes so walk carefully. If you walk up the track from Surat bay you come to a gate and electric fence. Don't cross that but follow the 4wd track downhill and to the right to come out on Cannibal bay which is much more sheltered than Surat.
Some people recommend driving on Cannibal bay but the beach near the road end was very uneven when we were there and best left to 4wds.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Portobello ▷
Albatross Viewing at Taiaroa Head Carpark
It's a beautiful place but I was here several times in the early 90s and was disappointed in the way the centre has changed.
It used to be much cheaper ? Free to see them and I'm sure the penguins were free too. This meant far more people saw them. 100 dollars for 2 people is really expensive. The nearby boat trip looked better value. If it was 10 dollars each far more people would do the tours. They didn't even have the webcam on show which seemed bizarre.