Day 7 - Flooded in the Catlins

Road closure - that's the motto of the day, but more on that later.

Originally, the plan for today was to drive the Southern Scenic Route from Owaka to Invercargill and make many stops along the way. So I set off early to the Pūrākaunui Falls. From the parking lot, there is a short walk to the waterfall. Due to recent rainfalls, large amounts of water cascade down in three steps.

Next, I visit the Matai & Horseshoe Falls. Here too, large amounts of water rush down with a loud roar, and the two falls are only two minutes' walk apart.

Now it should have been off to the McLean Falls, but the road is closed due to flooding in Papatowai. There is no way through to Invercargill, and since the road network in New Zealand is not as dense as in Germany, it is not easy to find a short detour. So I have no choice but to drive back to Balclutha and from there towards Invercargill via Clinton and Gore.

Just before Invercargill, I set the Waipapa Point lighthouse as my destination in the navigation. And what a surprise: just before Fortrose, the road is closed due to flooding, which means there is currently no way to reach the desired destinations such as Slope Point or Curio Bay.

A bit frustrated, I make my way to my motel in Invercargill. After checking in, I decide to drive to Stirling Point in Bluff. If I can't reach the southernmost point on the South Island, this one will have to do.

By the way, today is Waitangi Day, which is a public holiday, but I don't notice anything about it anywhere; I notice that there are a lot of motorcyclists on the road. As I later hear, there is a biker event taking place in Invercargill.

I meet a police officer and ask him about the road closures. He recommends a website of the New Zealand Automobile Association that lists everything in great detail.

Well, let's see what tomorrow brings, because there are also some closures towards Te Anau!