Going further South from Dunedin only one region is left: Southland. More precisely the Catlins, a quiet backcountry that sees less tourism than most areas on the South Island. They also have a few good waterfalls like Mc Lean's Falls:

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And Waiopohatu Falls:

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The nice loop track to this waterfall was unfortunately very muddy:

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A special attraction on the roadside is The Lost Gypsy, the art gallery of a tinkerer. Heaps of handmade mechanisms in a van and the surrounding garden. Make sure to check it out if you ever come to that area:

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Now we are getting close to the Southern end, more specifically the Southern most lighthouse at Waipapa Point:

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And just below on the beach some sea lions are relaxing in the sun:

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This is also a great place to see the famed Catlin trees, formed by the everblowing wind:

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In the Catlins is also the probably best place to see Yellow Eyed Penguins: Curio Bay, a very special beach with fossiled trees and the local penguins come back ashore every evening. No hide or fence you just have to be there at the right time. We were lucky enough to see two penguins when we arrived. One was already all the way up to the rocks outside his hole but waiting for his/her mate to come.

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Waddling up the beach:

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Happy together again:

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Like Cape Reinga on the North Island everybody wants to go to the Bluff on the South Island where the Highway 1 ends. Unlike Cape Reinga it's just a "Been there, done that" place:

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Another nice bush walk in Southland is in Mores Reserve:

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What makes it special is that along the way are many painted stones with nice sayings like this one:

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