Bluff and Queens Park

 

Just a short drive from Invercargill is the oldest European town in New Zealand having been settled continuously since 1824.  It's famous in New Zealand for its oysters and the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.   We started our day with hail showers that then turned to driving cold 10degrees wind and then the sun started to peep through.  By the time we stopped at Bluff it was sunny but the pictures below can't show the wind chill factor....brrrr.

The Stirling Point signal station is a great spot to stop. It was named after Captain William Stirling who established a whaling station there in 1836. On a good day you can see across to Stewart Island. 

There looked to be very healthy kelp forests along the edge of the rocky shore and a few hardy souls were rock-hopping and exploring despite the cold wind. 

We could see big weather coming in so we made for the Bluff Hill lookout before the rain hit

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From the top of Bluff Hill you can see back up the west coast towards Invercargill and beyond and directly below you could look over to the aluminium smelter and port. The port was busy with huge trucks coming and going with logs and machinery. With all that action we thought there was bound to be a cafe to warm ourselves up in.  We didnt find one cafe open. 

So it was adios Bluff and back to Invercargill to find a café to warm up in.    Then on to the fabulous Queens Gardens. Absolutely gorgeous! They are one of New Zealand's Gardens of National Significance and you can see why.   The climate must do something special to the plants down this way, the blooms on the roses were phenominal and the flower colour palette vibrant.  We loved the winter garden and wandered through the Japanese and Chinese Gardens. No wind, sun shining, beautiful gardens.... very happy

There is a petting farm with small animals for children  and the odd peacock strolling around - check out those tail feathers. 

There was a beautiful herbaceous border area supported by donations from the Southland Catholic Community and the plantings were stunning.  

The icing on the cake is the fabulous water tower on the edge of the park  - zoom in to see the spectacular craftsmanship of the bricklayers of old - beautiful. Built in 1889 its a mix of utility and beauty and protected the largely wooden buildings from fire in the early settlement days.