Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Day 8 - Wednesday 13th June - Omarama to Oamaru via Dam Benmore, Lake Aviemore, Lake Waitaki and the Vanished World Fossil Trail

A much warmer night but a much colder day as it has been rather overcast, but still delightful.

Sunrise from campsite

Today has been another long driving day.

Our journey today Omarama to Oamaru on pink route


We are heading for the south east coastline of New Zealand now. En route we passed 3 of the largest hydroelectric dams in New Zealand and Australasia, Lake Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki. Waitaki is the name of the river and valley we were driving down.


Lake Aviemore


Lake Aviemore

Dam Benmore - Hydroelectric Dam


After the town of Kurow we headed off the main highway and followed the Vanished World Fossil Trail which has various stop off points to see Maori cave paintings from the 19th century and odd limestone rock formations.


19th century Maori rock paintings



Elephant Rocks

One part of the drive reminded me of Malham cove in the Yorkshire Dales, we were driving down a valley and were surrounded on both sides with limestone cliff faces.


Limestone cliffs, reminds me of Malham Cove

We found a lovely little campsite to spend the night which is a 5 minute walk from a pebbly beach and the mouth of the Waitaki river.

We had a walk down the beach as the sun was setting.


Luke wanting to be Gandalf

The beach and Pacific ocean

Mouth of Waitaki river 

2 comments:

  1. your photo's are great Ruth! I seem to look at most of them and say out loud "oh Wow!" (except the one of Luke being Gandalf! That just made me chuckle ;-)

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  2. YOU SHALL NOOOTTT PASSSSS!!!

    ReplyDelete

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