Dunedin, NZ

Dunedin (pronounced: due-need-in) is the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. However, we did not spend much time in the city. Today, we took a train ride from the ship through the Taieri River Gorge.

The Taieri Gorge Railway is New Zealand’s longest, privately-owned railway. It is primarily run for excursions and is one of Dunedin’s big tourist attractions. The Dunedin train station is a beautiful historic building.

Our trip started at the ship and headed north. We made a stop in Hindon to see the monument to the old sheep dogs. We then stopped in Pukerangi, where the locals come out and set up a ‘flea market’ for the tourists to visit (and spend money). The train then moves the locomotive to the other end and heads back to the train station in Dunedin.

At the train station, we transferred to a bus and headed to the Penguin Place, which is a yellow eyed penguin reserve. The yellow eyed penguin is heading toward extinction, with only about 4000 remaining. A sheep farmer decided to convert part of his property to a reserve and is running a private reserve to help save this penguin.

It seemed strange to be going to see the penguins when they are trying to protect them. What they have done is built little “bunkers” and covered trails for people to get down to the penguins. You walk through these ‘tunnels’ and then enter the little bunkers that have slots open for viewing. The premise here is that if the penguins do see you, you only look about 12-inches tall or so. Thus, they are not scared of you. These penguins grow to about knee height. If you appear smaller them, they do not see you as a predator.

The farmer has worked to preserve the area and has planted many native trees and shrubs for the penguins. Also, these penguins are very private…so they have built them little wood shelters as well. The farm continues to be run as a sheep farm, so occasionally the penguins and sheep run into each other. We just so happen to catch this occurrence…the penguin won.

Leaving Dunedin, we got some great photos of the people along the shore and the lighthouse. The waves were crashing and the scenery was beautiful.