The Weird and Wonderful Wildlife in New Zealand

We sniffed the air and looked knowingly at each other.  Having spent many hours beach-combing over the last month or so, we were now familiar with the fishy stench of  rock coloured fur seals basking in camouflage on large boulders.

Invercargill to Lake Matheson and Keas

Mirror Lake aka Lake Matheson


I love the way New Zealand promotes its natural features.  Take, for example, Mirror Lake. There must be hundreds of mirror lakes all over the world but only in New Zealand have I experienced a lake with a coach stop, dedicated walks with photo opportunites, leaflets and even its very own website.

New Zealand’s Mirror Lake is officially known as Lake Matheson and is situated in the Westland National Park on the road from Te Anau to Milford and it really is worth taking the 90 minute walk around the lake which is overlooked by Mt Cook and Fox Glacier.

The Junk shop in Kurow, New Zealand & Rattling Rocks

With almost as much stock outside his shop as in it, the owner of the 'antique' shop in Kurow, provided some entertainment during our 2-night stay in Kurow.
 
Despite his shop being criticised as a fire hazard by the authorities, he spent an hour and a half every morning and evening setting up and dismantling the displays outside.  I am not a big junk shop fan but curiosity got the better of me and we paid it a visit.