New Zealand: South Island - Dunedin to Christchurch

During our last few days in New Zealand, we traveled along the east coast from Dunedin to Christchurch.  Dunedin was not part of our original plans, but I'm glad we visited.  If we hadn't, we would have missed the steepest residential street in the world (according to the Guinness Book of World Records).  There were also some nice historical buildings in Dunedin, including the railway station, which is said to be one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand.  We took a drive around the nearby Otago Peninsula and, before the clouds settled in and the rain started, enjoyed some more beautiful New Zealand views.  During our two nights in Dunedin, we stayed at a hostel called, Hogwartz.  Yes, it was Harry Potter themed.

Baldwin Street

Simon on the steepest residential street in the world

Albatross Center at the end of the Otago Peninsula

Sandfly Beach on the Otago Peninsula

Dunedin Railway Station

As we continued up the east coast from Dunedin, we made a brief stop in Koekohe Beach to see the Moeraki Boulders.  Huge boulders are scattered along the small stretch of beach.  

We spent the night in Oamaru to see the Blue Penguins.  Each evening, the penguins that have been out fishing come ashore at the Oamaru Blue Penguin colony.  The Blue Penguins are the smallest penguins in the world and are only about 10 inches tall.  We waited about an hour to see a few groups of penguins swim ashore and waddle up to the rocks.  It was great to see the penguins in a (somewhat) natural environment.

Our final destination in New Zealand was Christchurch.  The city is still rebuilding from the devastating earthquake of 2011 and a lot of the city center is inaccessible.  There was even a small earthquake while we were there.  It was sad to see the amount of destruction caused by the earthquakes.  In an effort to revitalize the city and bring business back to the center, a shopping mall made of shipping containers has been set up.  Cafes, clothing stores, and souvenir shops have all been set up within large, colorful shipping containers.  After a walk through the "mall" and the botanic gardens, we found that almost all other tourist attractions, including museums, were still closed.  We considered taking a drive outside the city, but after two weeks on the road, did not feel like getting back in the car.  Instead, we settled in and relaxed in the cozy living room of our hostel, watching movies and "Come Dine With Me" marathons. 

Botanic Gardens

Re:Start Shipping Container Mall

Earthquake Damage

Map showing the "red zone," the closed part of the city center

We had an amazing trip through New Zealand.  We drove almost two thousand miles over 17 days and found only one stretch of road to be dull.  The New Zealand scenery  is absolutely gorgeous.  By the time we reached Christchurch, though, we were ready to turn in the car keys and trade the jackets and beanies for swimsuits and flip-flops.