The Catlins are the southernmost part of the South Island, lying between Balclutha and Invercargill.In the Catlins, you can find not only the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand, which is "only" 4803km away from the South Pole and 5140km from the equator, but also numerous colonies of seals, sea lions, and penguins.In addition, the Catlins are relatively unknown parts of New Zealand. This is because they are quite remote, not heavily populated, and can only be explored by car.Furthermore, many tourists choose to take the highway directly from Invercargill to Dunedin, skipping the Catlins. However, I think this is a mistake because the Catlins have a lot to offer and are worth the visit.Our first stop and one of our favorites was Waipapa Point. There, we not only watched a beautiful sunset but also had the unique opportunity to observe sleeping and fighting sea lions. It was an incredible experience, especially since we were the only ones on the beach that evening and these animals are huge.Our next stop was Slope Point, which is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand.The last stop, and probably the most famous one in the Catlins, was Nugget Point, which is 109km away from Dunedin.Nugget Point is very beautiful but also one of the most touristy places in the Catlins.We were lucky enough to observe seals in the sea from the platform in front of the lighthouse and even spotted a dolphin in the distance.The next day, we headed to Dunedin, and our time in the Catlins came to an end.In Dunedin, we spent three days exploring the city. Our itinerary included Baldwin Street, which has a gradient of 35% over 350 meters and is the steepest street in the world.Many tourists are attracted to this street for special but also dangerous tourist photos, just like us.Additionally, we visited the famous Dunedin Railway Station, which is one of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. Construction of the station started in 1903, and it was opened in 1906.Last but not least, we visited the Albatross Colony on the Otago Peninsula.And of course, we couldn't miss the sunrise before leaving Dunedin.All the activities in Dunedin were beautiful and unique. Waipapa Point Waipapa PointOne of the most beautiful sunsets Southernmost point of the South Island Nugget PointSunrise in DunedinRailway Station Dunedin St. Paul's cathedral Street festival in DunedinBaldwin Street Baldwin Street
