We started out from Dunedin with blue skies overhead as we cruised along in the yellow splendor of gorse-covered hills, populated by grazing sheep and cattle as we were headed for Bluff, the southernmost town of the South Island.

On the way we briefly re-visited one of New Zealand's oldest resident in the town of Invercargill. Henry, a tuatara, has been living in captivity for about 50 years and is estimated to be over 120 years old. Tutataras are reptiles endemic to NZ, resembling a lizard but with a distinct lineage dating back 220 million years. Henry made news headlines 10 years ago when, at the estimated ripe age of 111 years he became father for the very first time, after ignoring females for all the previous years. Quite an interesting story to read up! We visited Henry at his home, the Southland Museum, the first time 20 years ago and were happy to see him once again.

The tiny town of Bluff (pop. 1850) near Invercargill is commonly referred to as the southernmost point on the South Island. This is technically not quite correct, as the nearby "Slope Point" really takes that honor. However, there is no road leading to Slope Point, thus Bluff is the southernmost readily accessible location. Of course, besides the two main islands of New Zealand, there are plenty of more islands further to the south, such as the inhabited Stewart Island 30 km to the south with a population of some 380 people mainly employed in tourism, fishing and some agriculture.

I hope that you will enjoy this foray to the utmost south.

I recommend viewing the pictures in download.
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