otago peninsula

原计划走海边路过去，从山脊路返回。但导航一上来就把我们带上了山脊路。路上风景很美，好多次停车拍照，但越走路越窄，很长一段都是只能单车同行的路，山路上要小心错车。来到半岛尽头，看到了信天翁，海豹，海鸟，黑天鹅，还有不知名的一种红嘴黑身子的鸟，真的很宁静！回来时海岸边的路虽然绕，但比山脊路要好多了！

Day10(4月9日)：Dunedin(但尼丁) — Otago Peninsula — Dunedin(但尼丁)今天安排的很轻松，先去Otago Peninsula游玩一下，然后去城市里闲晃闲晃，最后去Baldwin St看看世界上最陡的街道。一早起来外面下着雨，昨晚我们三个人商量后还是决定住回Hogwartz,不是因为这里的住宿条件不好，主要考虑他们会收取费用，因为已经过了免费取消的时间。加上两家离的很近，于是我们吃完早饭后，就冒着雨溜达过去，看看是否可以安排房间入住。来到Hogwartz还太早，工作人员还没来上班，我们就在附近的教堂逛了一圈等了一会Susan终于来上班了，我们和她说了昨天的遭遇，然后询问她今天有房间否，她表示无奈，但幸好今天有房，只是不是我们当初预订的房间，还是不带卫生间的。确认好后，我们就回ELM取行李。由于现在还有人住，所以只能先把箱子都寄存在他们前台。一切就绪后我们开车上路前往Otago Peninsula，雨已经停了，只是云还没散开，沿着海湾一路前行开到半路看到有个Castle的指示牌，于是老公突然说去看看吧，就往山上开了渐渐露出蓝色的天空这大群的羊散落在草原上，看的有些发麻，感觉像虫卵。。。。在很外面的地方设了个门岗，收门票的，进去发现这个城堡其实很小，根本没法和欧洲的比很喜欢他们的天花板，温馨而精致在这里就像看到小说中的情景，有弹着琴的，有看着书的，有聊着天的一看到这种藏品，我就想到是中国的，哈哈爬到楼顶的天台外，可以看到整个园子看到这里就想到花园婚礼从城堡出来，我们继续前往奥塔哥半岛，在路上遇到个小沙滩，看到好多的鸟，沙子很细很软欣赏奥塔哥半岛的风景只需要你驱车沿海一路开，如果时间紧张，我是觉得可以放弃原本打算在LP上推荐的一家餐厅就餐，没想到过去后发现他们只做晚市，中午都没有开门，没办法我们只好返回但尼丁后再解决午餐了

Our accommodation was on the Peninsula with absolutely stunning views over the harbour. There is also lots to see and do from one end of the peninsula to the other.

We drove first to McAndrew Bay and enjoyed a coffee at the cafe overlooking the harbour. Next it was up and along the high road to Sandfly Bay where we walked down the dunes and saw fur seals on the beach. It is a steep climb back up and not recommended for those who are unsteady on their feet or get short of breath.We went on to look at the Albatross the head of the peninsula then to the Penguin Place where we saw Yellow Eyed penguins - this ecoventure is well worth supporting.Finally dinner at the Portobello Hotel on the way home - the local delicacy of Blue Cod

I toured around the peninsula and enjoyed every aspect from Larnach Castle, McAndrew Bay, Wikliffe Bay, Hawksbury lagoons and the Royal Albatross Centre. The scenery is majestic and the wildlife in abundance.

The albatrosses were amazing - the chicks so big! The penguins were cute & it was a wonderful experience. We enjoyed the house & gardens at Larnach Castle very much too.

A lovely drive just outside Dunedin. Show stopping views & a visit to the albatross centre a must.Rather a lot of road works so not a quick trip! Make sure you go one way on "high route".

We started the day with a tour of Larnach Castle. To get there we took the harbor drive until we saw a sign to turn right. The most enjoyable thing about this castle was the gardens and views overlooking the Otago Harbor. We inadvertently ran into the owner of the castle, Mrs. Barker, in the garden. We were wondering the name of one of the flowers and she told us the proper scientific name. I thought she was the gardener until I picked up a book in the gift shop and discovered who she really is. The family has done a fantastic job restoring and maintaining this national monument. Don't miss the opportunity to eat lunch in the Ballroom Cafe. After our four hour visit of the Castle and gardens we took the high road to Sandfly Beach on the west side of the peninsular. The name only indicates that the wind blows the sand and makes it fly. So, no worries regarding the notorious sand flys of south island attacking you there. You can choose to enjoy the view from above or take a trek through a gate and sheep farm to an observation platform. If you are in good shape take the trek all the way down to the beach. Of course, going down is the easiest part and quite fun sliding on the sand dunes but the return is quite challenging as the sand is piled quite deep in spots so you hardly get anywhere for your effort. It was worth it to me to me to put my feet in the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the world since I was born in California. It is a large stretch of beach with hardly any people probably due to the fact that although the water is crystal clear it is freezing cold. There are also signs that wildlife can be spotted on this beach (penguins and seal) but we didn't see any. After an hour or two there we took the high road again to the end which is the Royal Albatross Centre. You can choose to take one of many tours there or just enjoy nature as it presents itself. In the evening the albatross fly freely in the sky so spotting them is no problem and quite fantastic to witness the biggest birds on earth in flight. Visiting the information centre is free. They also have tours down to the beach on the harbor side to site penguins but you are also free to walk down yourself. My friend had a bum knee so we didn't do that but it was a pleasant afternoon watching other native birds on the cliff of the west side. On the drive back we stopped at Portobello Hotel & Bristo and while the place looks like it needs some TLC the food is incredible! I had to commend the chef on the Lamb Wellington (if you don't know what that is you just have to try it to really appreciate how good it is) and although that was my first time eating the dish I don't think it gets any better than that. On the drive back we spotted black swan in the harbor then took the turn for the high road back to Dunedin as the sun was setting with our stomachs full and our senses filled in every way.

A drive to the peninsula is well worth doing for some visually stunning vistas and to appreciate the waterside location of Dunedin.

Our visit to Otago was one of the highlights of our trip. We'd prebooked a visit to Penguin Place and the Albatross colony and the coastal drive added to the enjoyment of the day. It was good to get out of the city and into the country. We stopped for coffee in Portobello and travelled back by the higher inland route. If we come back to this area I'd like to stay on the Peninsula and explore more.

My wife and I were looking forward to this visit. However, we were disappointed, as it is very difficult to see the penguins except in their burrows. The drive out was pretty, but then the same can be said of many other drives in New Zealand. There is really nothing special to see or do, and we would probably have been better served not going.

I loved my drives thru the peninsula ( daytime only)! I rode with a tour at night one other time and while still interesting, I felt it wasn't safe at night. But during my daytime drive the scenery and interesting sights make a wonderful experience . Also a trip during low tide seemed to me as more colorful or scenic.

Not far from Dunedin is this coast. Worth the short drive. We visited the pyramids which is an hour walk to a deserted beach where you have opportunity to see seals and penguins.

Wonderful wildlife experience thanks to Elm tours , i saw pinguïns, Seals , albatros and sealions. It was all eco responsable and they offer a good service including a pick up and drop of service.

Great drive round the coast with lovely scenery and quirky painted bus stops. Ideal place see some of the native wildlife.