Vanishing World Trail

 

14th February

Early evening and I happened to look up just in time to see the Viking Mars on its way out to sea. The yellow boat in front was waiting to retrieve the Pilot.

 Apart from the wind buffeting the Toy, (the top did stay down) and the torrential rain first thing, it was ever so quiet here. In fact, we stepped out to look for stars and wow, the sky looked just like that of the Planetarium, but without those laser beams of course!

Another change in our plans, looking at what leaflets we have left for the East coast of the South Island there is still so much to do. If we stick to 23rd as our sailing day back to the North Island, the last few excursions would have to be either left or rushed. We think this will be our very last visit to New Zealand so to cram as much in as possible is a must.

We drove back to Port Chalmers to find the turn off for Duntroon. Up Blueskin Road a huge Anchor was seen. Ian liking everything maritime decided to stop. Gosh, I'm glad he did because not just the Anchor to have a look at but the memorial to Robert Scott, as well as the Centenary viewpoint. 

So first the Anchor. Known as the 'Nine Fathom Foul', a large iron anchor that fouled many local fishermen's nets until hauled ashore in 1978.

Then across the road to Scotts memorial which had been erected because Scott expedition had left Port Chalmers for Antarctica on 19th November 1910. Scott was a British naval officer and explorer who led the famed ill-fated second expedition to reach the South Pole (1910–12).

The Centenary Lookout overlooks the wharf near where the sailing ship 'Dunedin' left New Zealand with the first successful shipment of frozen meat to Britain. The coal powered freezing plant kept the 5000 carcasses of mutton frozen. The ship departed on the 15th February 1882, arriving in London in late May, Only one carcass was spoilt.This was the beginning of economic prosperity for New Zealand.

Continuing for Duntroon we bypassed seeing the Little Blue Penguins at Oamaru and the Moeraki Boulders at Koekohe Beach both having been done before in 2017, because this time one thing stood out for both of us and that was the Vanished World and Vanishing World trail in the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark. Waitaki was formed under an ancient sea which is very much in evidence as we turned onto the road from Ngapata.  It was full of wonderful unique limestone rock formations. It is almost as if one had entered a different planet.

Our initial plan was to find Elephant rocks, we found an information board mentioning the fossil remains of a Baleen whale found at Anatini. This we had to find. It was on private land, a small gated path to take you to where a perspex dome covered the bones. Not the clearest of photos, perspex has never been good for seeing through clearly. 

 From there another 10-minute drive took you to Elephant rocks. Hmm, a very vivid imagination is needed here. In the leaflet it stated,

The rocks have a large distinctive hummocky or elephant shaped limestone outcrops. The 'elephants' are formed from Otekaike Limestone which originated as a fossil rich marine sand 25 million years ago. 

I could see other animal shapes but elephants? No.

Elephants lying down perhaps?

Otter?

Lions head?

Rat lying down?

 

One last place to visit today before stopping at Duntroon Domain for the night. The Maerewhenua Rock Art. 

Quite a climb to the overhang which was completely fenced off. Understandably, this Maori rock art is ancient and no modern graffiti artists should be allowed to deface such a treasure. Over time the red ochre and charcoal has faded but images can still be seen.

 Duntroon needs exploring, we never reached the township as the camp grounds were just before it. Duntroon Domain, had all facilities although most are a bit outdated and needs a bit of TLC. We managed to get the last powered site right by the facility block and camp kitchen.

As this post is two days behind, our currant date is the 15th February, both of us are devastated by what is happening on the North Island.  The horrible conditions facing those people caught up in Cyclone Gabrielle wrath must be difficult to bear. We feel incredibly blessed to be here on the South Island. Our thoughts go out to the families of those that have died,

 And wildlife

This small bird had some sort of growth. Could be a Sparrow but it was strange that this Yellow Hammer never left it side.

And small blue butterflies