04.02. Saturday, Bluff, Papatowai, 120 km, sunny, 18 degrees

After breakfast, we drive up to Bluff Hill (the highest point in this town). It's extremely windy, especially on the observation platform. Great view of the bay. After shopping, we drive to the Catlins, the southernmost coastal strip of the South Island. First stop at Waipapa Point Lighthouse. There are 2 sea lions lying on the beach, sunning themselves. Our next stop is in Waikawa. On the beach in Curio Bay, there are fossilized remains of a forest. It's low tide, so these fossils are visible. We take a walk to the neighboring Purpoise Bay, where a sea lion on the beach follows a tourist and wants to play with him. There are also penguins and occasionally Hector's dolphins here. Unfortunately, we don't see either of them. The cliffs are steep, similar to the Irish coast. We continue driving to Papatowai, where we find an overnight spot outside the town.