South from Dunedin

Outlying suburb of Dunedin

Named for the Ayrshire farm of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, Mosgiel is a fast growing suburb of Dunedin. Within the vicinity of Mosgiel are the now defunct Mosgiel Woollen Mills, and the aerodrome, which was at one stage the main airport for Dunedin City.

Taieri Plains

This area is well known for market gardening, there is a vintage tractor museum nearby on a hill, overlooking the Taieri Plains.

Dunedin city

Brighton is on the coast, south from Dunedin. To get to this area, one must leave the motorway just south from Green Island, and head south, past the entrance to the Dunedin Transfer Station (the tip). The combined waters of the Otokia and McColls creek enter the sea immediately north of the township.  A popular picnic domain is near here.  The combined communities of Brighton and Ocean View have many cribs and holiday homes as well as permanent residences.

South from Dunedin

Carry on from Brighton and you will eventually come to Taieri Mouth. An excellent beach, accessible by coast road from Green Island, and over hill from Lake Waihola.  The area is really geared for the holiday makers, who wish to just get away from the city life for a while, perhaps the odd weekend. Taieri River is the fourth longest river in New Zealand, with its headwaters near Styx, which is not far from Ranfurly.

Taieri Mouth people can actually launch boats on the Taieri River, and have fun towing skis with thrill seekers on board. Once people have finished visiting Taieri Mouth, they can drive over the hill, and end up at Lake Waihola, which see.

On main road south from Dunedin

A large shallow lake draining to the Waipori River above its junction with the Taieri River.  Boating and swimming at the domain at Waihola township. Situated on the other side of the lake is a special place called Sinclair wetlands. This area plays host to a number of wading birds, who over the years made the area their home. This area can be visited by turning off the main road a few kilometres south from Waihola.

Seaward from Milton

A seaside resort, the centennial park at Toko Mouth was declared open on March 16, 1940 in the presence of a large assembly by J. A. Roy, then Member of Parliament for Clutha. This area is home to mainly cribs and holiday homes, although there are a number of permanent residents. During the summer months, the people open up a small shop, catering for themselves, and their neighbours. The shop does not hold much, only things that the holiday makers need, such as small goods, and ice cream, and small snacks.

Gore district

Situated near the junctions of Waimea and Otamita streams, with the Mataura River.  When the Waimea railway was constructed in 1880 but was anticipated that Mandeville would be a centre of some importance and a town was laid out with eighteen streets named after North American places.

This town is approximately fourteen kilometres to the north from Gore, and is reachable by travelling on the Gore-Lumsden Highway, turning north at the roundabout beside the police station.

An aircraft manufacturing and restoring facility is now in operation at the old aerodrome, concentrating on De Havilland aircraft, like the tiger moth.

Fiordland

Dropping 580 metres into a mountain valley in Fiordland, the Sutherland Falls are the highest water fall in New Zealand, and the fifth highest in the world. Named after their discoverer, Donald Sutherland, these waterfalls descends in three from Lake Quill. Visible from parts and accessible by side track from the famed Milford Track, and from the air, one can be assured of awe inspiring scenery.

Fiordland

An outstanding tourist resort, Milford Sound is one of the grandest of the fjords that indent the south West Coast of the South Island.  An interesting aspect with Milford Sound is that because it is of glacial origin, the head is deeper than at the seaward extremity.  That is because of the moraine left by the ancient glaciers.

The scenery of this sound is renown beyond New Zealand, its mountains glaciers waterfalls; forests etc. have been photographed by many overseas guests. Milford Sound has its own special natural monolith, and that is named Mitre Peak.

Invercargill district

One of a few beaches in which the sands support the weight of motor vehicles, Oreti Beach is only ten kilometres from Invercargill metropolitan area. The access road takes one past Otatara, a housing area of Invercargill. During the summer months it is not uncommon to find families’ bringing their vehicles right onto the sands, as the only access road leads onto the sands

The most southern of the three main islands of New Zealand proper, Stewart Island is accessible only by plane and ferry. Oban the main township on Halfmoon Bay, is the only inhabited area of the 670n square miles of island; the rest of the island is all covered in bush, and there are plenty of walks which can be undertaken. There is only about twenty kilometres of road in the entire area.

I have been to Stewart Island on a couple of occasions, and love the area.  Plenty of bush clad hills, and sea views.

Catlins district

Situated near the junction of Owaka and Catlins rivers, Owaka is predominantly a farming district, and formerly saw milling.  I have spent a few nights in Owaka, at a backpackers place in the main street. Being where it is, Owaka can be used for a base for those who wish to explore the Catlins area, with its natural beauty.

Catlins-seaward from Owaka

A summer resort, at the junction of Catlin and Owaka rivers, Pounawea is a nice place to bring your children.  There is a fine camping area with a forest reserve complete with walking tracks.  There is a blowhole, 6 miles distant from Pounawea, and quite a few feet from the coast, a chasm 165 feet deep.

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