Have you always meant to stop at those points of interest along the way on your travels?? Well we have and for some we have been sailing passed them for more than 30years without stopping!! So we are making a point of taking the time to stop and have a look.
Lovell's Flat (13km north of Balclutha)
At Lovell's Flat there is a small cob cottage and I have always meant to stop and have a look. It is certainly well worth the effort. It was lovingly restored by the South Otago Historical Society back in the 1970's and it is authentically furnished with artifacts from the 1860s. The cottage was a stopping place for the miners heading to Tuapeka Goldfields. It makes an excellent spot to stretch the legs and even enjoy a picnic if you are on a road trip.
Sinclair Wetlands
A few kms before Lake Waihola (and 40km south of Dunedin) is a large sign indicating the turn off to the Sinclair Wetlands. It is a 10km drive along the other side of Lake Waihola and into the information centre and hub of these extensive wetlands. The land was bought as a rundown farm in 1960 by Horrie Sinclair and he reverted back to wetlands. There are several walking tracks that take you through much of the area. With over 60 species of birds that live in the area there is plenty of bird song.
We spent a good couple of hours wandering along the tracks, enjoying the views, listening to the birds and generally enjoying the beautiful day. Gumboots at this time of the year are a distinct advantage as some of the tracks are very muddy.
There is also a small campsite for self-contained vehicles at the Visitor Centre which we could well of used had we known.
Sinclair Wetlands
Manuka Gorge Railway Tunnel
This place was a few kms out of our way, but we were looking for a place to camp for the night and our NZMCA Travel Directory said there was plenty of room for a large vehicle. For those of you who drive regularly from Dunedin to Central Otago, (it is 13km from the turn off to Central Otago after Milton) it is almost certainly a place that you have always promised yourselves to stop at. Provided you have a good torch the short walk is well worth it. The now abandoned tunnel is home to hundreds of glow-worms. Once in the tunnel if you are very still and turn your torch off there is whole city of glow-worms to be seen.
Lovell's Flat (13km north of Balclutha)At Lovell's Flat there is a small cob cottage and I have always meant to stop and have a look. It is certainly well worth the effort. It was lovingly restored by the South Otago Historical Society back in the 1970's and it is authentically furnished with artifacts from the 1860s. The cottage was a stopping place for the miners heading to Tuapeka Goldfields. It makes an excellent spot to stretch the legs and even enjoy a picnic if you are on a road trip.
Sinclair Wetlands
A few kms before Lake Waihola (and 40km south of Dunedin) is a large sign indicating the turn off to the Sinclair Wetlands. It is a 10km drive along the other side of Lake Waihola and into the information centre and hub of these extensive wetlands. The land was bought as a rundown farm in 1960 by Horrie Sinclair and he reverted back to wetlands. There are several walking tracks that take you through much of the area. With over 60 species of birds that live in the area there is plenty of bird song.
We spent a good couple of hours wandering along the tracks, enjoying the views, listening to the birds and generally enjoying the beautiful day. Gumboots at this time of the year are a distinct advantage as some of the tracks are very muddy.
There is also a small campsite for self-contained vehicles at the Visitor Centre which we could well of used had we known.
Sinclair Wetlands
Manuka Gorge Railway Tunnel
This place was a few kms out of our way, but we were looking for a place to camp for the night and our NZMCA Travel Directory said there was plenty of room for a large vehicle. For those of you who drive regularly from Dunedin to Central Otago, (it is 13km from the turn off to Central Otago after Milton) it is almost certainly a place that you have always promised yourselves to stop at. Provided you have a good torch the short walk is well worth it. The now abandoned tunnel is home to hundreds of glow-worms. Once in the tunnel if you are very still and turn your torch off there is whole city of glow-worms to be seen.
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