I have previously written posts on our time around The Catlins region of Otago; this post concentrates on another small area, which is as beautiful and just as wild a place. Only hardy humans adapt their lifestyle to succeed against the challenging southern coast environment and make this their home full-time. On the other hand, we experienced only a very short stay surrounded by this long line of interesting history we call the Catlins.
Today, it is no longer a sleepy, dusty corner of the country: the main road is now fully sealed, and camper vans seek out the many tourist gems daily; too many of them now to make freedom camping a pleasure, if you ask me.
Put your foot on the accelerator, and you could roar through the district in a short day, though that would be a travesty. We were in a 10m motorhome, so we could’ve gone faster. So, take the slower option and slow down, take a deep breath, exhale, relax and smell the sea, walk in the bush and around the vast estuary, listen to the birds, and admire the coastal wildlife.
The Pounawea Estuary is downstream of Catlins Lake and is a melting pot of sea and the lower Catlins and Owaka Rivers. At high tide, it is immense, but at low tide, it shrinks enormously. Pounawea means ‘meeting place of water’, and the name is very apt.
Native bush comes down to the shoreline and provides an excellent habitat for native wildlife.
This area is worth many revisits, especially in late summer when the school holidays are well and truly over.
Life at No. 22 
We kind of love the wild places to death, but how beautiful this is!
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So very true, Martha. Though due to it’s location I could never see the Catlins becoming overly populated. Those small car/camper vans well less said about them the better.
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Great photos. Love the sleeping birds, and the tree.
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Thanks very much, Rebecca. If memory recalls wind was an issue so time for a snooze.
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It looks wonderful, every picture a gem, but the last one just edges it as my favourite.
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Thanks, Anabel. Atmospheric time with the weather changing and the day coming to an end.
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Wow that final photo is so evocative. I’m glad you slowed down.
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Thanks and yes it was a grand lifestyle during that period. Now it’s much different with too many vehicles touring around.
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When there aren’t too many people around, this is a perfect type of place to be in.
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It is, Neil. A place to have time out and breathe.
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What beautiful waders. I know the back ones are oyster catchers, but what are the white ones, they are very photogenic?
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I am pretty sure they were Royal spoonbill | Kōtuku ngutupapa. Yes, they are beautiful birds and we also have them amongst the Tauranga estuaries on ocassions.
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This makes me wish I had taken more time to find and explore all these hidden gems when we lived in NZ Slowly with lots of stops is the only way to travel
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There is only so much time in a day or trip, Pauline. Impossible to fit in everything.
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That’s true, especially if you go slow. Savour what you can
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We did, we have spent many years travelling these last few years have been a big contrast. Lucky we chose to do it when we did.
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I agree, so many memories and photos to look back on
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It is a good idea to slow down and take in the views! Too much rushing these days. This is a gorgeous place.
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It is indeed, Eilene. We had no choice as the old girl didn’t go fast, the bus not me.
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Gorgeous scenery. I understand why you would want to move slowly through this landscape. Melx
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It’s a unique and beautiful place with a wild streak. I hope all is well with you, Mel.
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Yep, all good here. Life continues at it’s usual whirl! 🙂 Have a good day, Mel
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Good to hear, Mel. Day started at 5 am off I went to Mount for an early morning walk 🙂
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and I am just back from a weights class…I think I am going to die! 🙂
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Haha, yes I know how you feel 🙂
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Thanks for introducing me to another lovely part of New Zealand Suzanne
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You’re most welcome, Malc.
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It’s a shame that even the more off beat places are becoming crowded these days. This looks like a wonderful location to spend a few days in.
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A short visit as it’s a very isolated place. The first time, we’ve seen native wood pigeons flying in a group was in the Catlins. Very rarely see one, let alone a group. The kelp is also huge down there.
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Beautiful. Definitely a place to savour.
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It is, Cathy.
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It’s perhaps understandable that a place as beautiful as this would get a bit over-run, but a shame nevertheless. Your last photo is great, I love that tree!
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Thanks, Sarah. Thankfully it’s not that crowded to the same extent as some beach locations in the North Island.
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I wish I was sitting in your campervan right now. I expect you do too, Suzanne. Stunning beauty.
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Jo, funnily enough we don’t want to repeat that lifestyle again. Though we do miss the scenery of places like the Catlins. We do miss travelling. Perhaps one day. I hope your hill climb went well yesterday?
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It was challenging, to say the least, but we made it and I have a few great photos for a future post. Sending hugs, darlin!
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Nothing like experiencing a country with a local!
I really should return to NZ…it’s been too long.
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You should, she’s a laidback option to Ukraine 😉
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You’re so right! Take life a little bit slower and find the beauty in everything. The area is gorgeous – thank you for the inspiring photos.
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Thanks Catherine and you’re most welcome.
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