Sun, 8th Mar, 2026 (part1) Rest area near Shag Point to 48hr RV Thomas Burns Street carpark, Dunedin, NZ (history, coastline views etc)

A few spits of rain in the early hours.

7am the sun started to rise so I got up for some photos from our kitchen window.

Back onto the main road and continued passed the turn off to Shag Point and headed inland towards Palmerston. Misty rain - more farms. Across Shag River and more roadworks.

Spotted McKenzie Memorial standing out on top of Puketapu Summit. It is a memorial to Sir John McKenzie, Minister of Lands in the Liberal Government of 1890s. There is a track up to it via ladders etc so we don’t think we will bother with that one as its wet now.

Through Palmerston - nice town. You can go inland from here to get to Queenstown etc.

Continued on, pretty country - lots of sheep. Back to the coast.

Into Waikouaiti. You can tell you are in the Dunedin region as all the street names are from the UK - Bendigo, Edinburgh, Perth and Nairn.

Turned off to check out historic Matanaka Farm. Parked in the carpark provided. Put on our rain gear and headed along the track.

Down into the paddock to the old farm buildings. A tad chilly out here!

In one building we read about the interesting history of Johnny Jones, whaling, farming and the local Maori. This was a school room too. What the pioneers achieved and endured is amazing.

In another building we found an old whaling boat.

Permanent vents about the windows.

Not the nicest day on the coast!

Checked out another little room then the big barn.

Headed back to the camper then back out with views over the Waikouaiti Bay and Beach.

There is an inlet lagoon so the town has a nice ‘lake’ too.

Back through town and over the Waikouaiti River - wide and full with a nice rest area under the trees at Bucklands Crossing.

The road followed the river edge then we turned onto Coast Road, still driving beside the river. The river meets the water of Hawkesbury Lagoon which comes from the sea at Karitane, around the long spit.

Followed the road to head to Huriawa Historical Reserve. Big hedges.

Onto a one way road thank goodness as it is very narrow. Not much of a car park but no one else is here so all good.

Headed off on the paths. Great views even on this grey sky day.

Zoomed in on The Old Lady rock. The photo I saw on FB was from another angle.

Found a fantastic natural arch.

Looking back over the lagoon to the bridge we drove over.

Back down the road then along to the beach. Some ‘locals’ in for a swim and a surf.

Continued on Coast Road to Puketeraki Lookout with map. Great spot for our cuppa - a bit brighter now.

Nice church at Seacliff - well named as it is on a Cliff by the Sea.

The trees have swallowed the house.

Down the winding range road. Glad Steve is driving! Passed the turn off to Warrington - homes on a peninsula.

Continued down hill then along side the large Blueskin Bay with the rail line beside us. Spotted some black swans.

Back to the main highway then along to Waitati and then onto Doctor’s Point Road. Across the river then up the hills with homes each side. At least this road has two lanes for a change. Last bit down the hill though is one lane into the carpark of the reserve.

We have been following railway tracks for ages - crossing it many times. The tracks continue around the mountain edge up there. - wow. We marvel at the ones who laid the foundations for these rail lines and dug out all the winding roads.

Onto the beach - lucked it again with the tide as it is going out. We are looking for Arches Caves that was marked on Wikicamps. A few people trying to catch a feed.

Found a pretty shell - mussel?

Walked to the Arches Caves. Sun out so it is getting warmer. Interesting rock formations and cliff faces.

Headed back into Waitati, across the Waitati River.

Stopped at Orokonui Lagoon - the Waitati River’s floodplain. The wind has picked up and is very windy now.

Whitebait - will have to try that.

The camera memory says it is full. I realised when I downloaded the photos last night I hadn’t put back the SD card so I have just filled the internal memory! Back to the camper for the spare SD card as the other one is in the laptop! Skipped the walk.

Headed back out - stopped to check out the Tardis toilet.

Back on SH1 - yellow flowers line the roadside.

Across the Waitati River - not much water here.

Nice views as we head into the hills.