December 28, 2013-​ Part 1

After leaving Dunedin, we headed down the Southern Scenic Route, stopping along the way at various spots. Much of this southeastern coastline is called the Catlins. Our first stop was at Tauri Mouth, where we took in the view of the confluence between river and ocean. We passed several small oceanside towns-- many populated with weekend beach cottages-- on our way to Milburn Lime Works. On a hill overlooking an inlet and rolling green hills, we found an exhibit of whale fossils that the lime quarry had uncovered years ago.

We decided to eat lunch here. While Rebecca got food from the car, I walked over in the direction of a herd of cows that were munching on grass nearby. At the sight of me, they started making their way to the fenced area where I was standing. Rebecca came back to find me with a large audience staring back at me. Needless to say, we felt slightly uncomfortable eating lunch while so many looked on!

From the limeworks, we continued south through the town of Balclutha to Purakaunui Falls and then to Jack's Blowhole. We walked about 20 minutes through fields toward the cliffs along the coast, where a 55m deep chasm, 200m inland from the coast, was located. Essentially a caved-in cave, water rushed in and out of this giant pit from the ocean.