Kaka Point is right at the northern edge of the Catlins – an area of stunning coastal beauty on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand, around 90km south of Dunedin.
The permanent population is around 100 apparently but that must balloon out in the summer months with holidaymakers and tourists. The settlement has many holiday houses (they call them “cribs” down here) – and if the one we are staying in is anything to go by, they are unpretentious and a slice of real kiwiana. Have just returned from one of the most spectacular sights I have ever witnessed – Nugget Point. A drive along the beach road from Kaka Point brings you to a carpark and the start of a 900m walk to the lighthouse. Nothing quite prepares you for the shear awesomeness of the views – wild churning sea battering against craggy cliffs and then a group of rock formations called the Nuggets falls away from the lighthouse and viewing platform. I encountered two of my previous employers on our short walk. The Department of Conservation (DOC) who do such a great job signposting walks and views across New Zealand. And then Maritime NZ who run the lighthouse (as they do all other lighthouses in New Zealand). Its been automated since 1989 but prior to that it would have been manned. What an amazing spot to wake up each morning! Back to DOC who have been pushing for a marine reserve in the area – but opposed by the local community for whom fishing goes back generations in the area. You can often see whales, orcas or dolphins from the cliffs but not when we were there – or if they were around they didn’t exactly put on a jumping display to catch our attention.
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Richard and JolandaJo and I have decided to give up our work, our house and our lives in Wellington NZ to see the world. Our big adventure started on April 6th 2017 . . . Archives
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