Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand

Saturday, February 1, 2020
 Dunedin was founded by Scottish settlers in 1848 and named after the Gaelic term for "Little Edinburgh".

     "Port Chalmers lies on the 12-mile-long Otago Harbor.  Across the water past two picturesque islands, the distinctive Harbor Cone summit rises on the Otago Peninsula.  The town's scenic setting has inspired a thriving arts scene to flourish.  Nearby, at the head of the harbor, nearby Dunedin is home to New Zealand's first university.  This lively college town is one of the South Island's cultural capitals.  But nature often takes center stage along the Otago Peninsula, a finger of steep pastureland pointing into the water from the mainland.  This unspoiled region, a breathtaking vista of mountains and sea, is home to seals, penguins and seabirds, including the only mainland colony of albatross in the world."

 

 

Excursion to "Penguin Beach at Natures Wonders"
     Traveling on a scenic drive to Taiaroa Head at the tip of the Otago Peninsula, we arrived at "Natures Wonders", a wildlife park whose mission is to protect the endangered yellow-eyed penguin (the world's rarest penguin) in its undisturbed habitat, along with fur seals and other wildlife that call the area home.  We were able to see a 4-month old penguin and a mother & her two 4-day old baby penguins.  Also, a large number of seals.  We also saw a couple of albatross in flight as we sailed out of Dunedin at the end of our day.

 

 

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