Long Trip - Day 11 Dunedin September 2013
We started the day from climbing up the Baldwin Street - the world's steepest residential road. A local factory organise yearly a charity event on this street. Imagine thousands Jaffas ( spherical Cadbury sweets) rolling down the hill. Each one is sponsored by one person, funds go to the charity, prize going to the owner. Another famous event is called The Baldwin Street Gutbuster' - people are running up and down the street.
We wanted to see the building of Larnach Castle. Unfortunately, tickets booth are at the beginning of gardens so you cannot have a look at it without paying the entrance fee. Mt. Cargill was our next destination. We parked close to the main road and started hiking through amazing NZ bush. On the way to the peak, we had a break to climb up the Organ Pipes - volcanic, rock formations were created years ago. You can climb up to the summit to admire breathtaking views from the top. Mt. Cargill is the highest peak in the area, weather allowed clear views for Silver Peaks and surrounding area.
We headed towards Aramoana (opposite to the Royal Albatross Centre) to spot royal albatrosses but we the road was closed due to landslide forcing us to change our plans slightly and take a lunch break in Port Chalmers. An evening trip to Orokonui EcoSantuary was pre-booked (40 NZD/pp). At 7 pm we started a short, guided tour through pest free area which allows native birds to live and breed safely. The reserve has 9 km long fence protecting the area from pests. Ih has a special alarm in cas any tree falls down giving an opportunity for pests to get in. There's no net above the trees so the birds can fly freely. We spotted few parrots - kaka on the way. At the end we met Sirocco - a famous kakapo in his nocturnal house. It was well prepared for tourists with led lights around the house which didn't disturb kakapo and allowed to take some pictures without raising the flash. Unfortunately, Sirroco was very playful and active, people followed him, the glass wasn't clear enough to take a good photo. Sirocco was hand- reared separately as a chick. That's why he seeks people companion quite actively and see no interest in breeding with other kakapo. He doesn't interact with other birds in normal manner.
It was my last day in Dunedin. Tomorrow, I'll head to the south.
We started the day from climbing up the Baldwin Street - the world's steepest residential road. A local factory organise yearly a charity event on this street. Imagine thousands Jaffas ( spherical Cadbury sweets) rolling down the hill. Each one is sponsored by one person, funds go to the charity, prize going to the owner. Another famous event is called The Baldwin Street Gutbuster' - people are running up and down the street.
We wanted to see the building of Larnach Castle. Unfortunately, tickets booth are at the beginning of gardens so you cannot have a look at it without paying the entrance fee. Mt. Cargill was our next destination. We parked close to the main road and started hiking through amazing NZ bush. On the way to the peak, we had a break to climb up the Organ Pipes - volcanic, rock formations were created years ago. You can climb up to the summit to admire breathtaking views from the top. Mt. Cargill is the highest peak in the area, weather allowed clear views for Silver Peaks and surrounding area.
We headed towards Aramoana (opposite to the Royal Albatross Centre) to spot royal albatrosses but we the road was closed due to landslide forcing us to change our plans slightly and take a lunch break in Port Chalmers. An evening trip to Orokonui EcoSantuary was pre-booked (40 NZD/pp). At 7 pm we started a short, guided tour through pest free area which allows native birds to live and breed safely. The reserve has 9 km long fence protecting the area from pests. Ih has a special alarm in cas any tree falls down giving an opportunity for pests to get in. There's no net above the trees so the birds can fly freely. We spotted few parrots - kaka on the way. At the end we met Sirocco - a famous kakapo in his nocturnal house. It was well prepared for tourists with led lights around the house which didn't disturb kakapo and allowed to take some pictures without raising the flash. Unfortunately, Sirroco was very playful and active, people followed him, the glass wasn't clear enough to take a good photo. Sirocco was hand- reared separately as a chick. That's why he seeks people companion quite actively and see no interest in breeding with other kakapo. He doesn't interact with other birds in normal manner.
It was my last day in Dunedin. Tomorrow, I'll head to the south.
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| Baldwin Street |
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| Baldwin Street - try to stay vertical to the street :-) |
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| Baldwin Street |
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| Baldwin Street |
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| Organ Pipes |
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| Mt. Cargill |
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| Ups.... |
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| Royal Albatross Centre from distance |
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| Sirocco |
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