Owaka to Invercargill

As we sat enjoying a leisurely breakfast, I read online that the Cathedral Sea Caves were only accessible for one hour either side of low tide and low tide was only an hour away. So we hurriedly finished breakfast, packed the car, paid for the motel and raced to the caves. 

We paid the toll ($5 each) to access the path to the beach and headed down to the cave. The tide was still well out so thankfully we were able to go into the cave. The cave is V-shaped with two openings to the sea, with a total length of 199 metres, and is one of the largest known sea caves in the world. We were impressed with what time and tide had achieved. 

With no time constraints after leaving the caves, we took a slower drive to Matai Falls, accessed via a 30 minute bush walk.  Not massive by any stretch of the imagination, but nice nonetheless. 

After two outdoor activities, my passengers were screaming for coffee, so we headed back to the Niagara Falls Cafe, were we ate yesterday. Along the way we passed Tautuku Beach. 

By the time we reached Invercargill we had put the rain behind us and we were able to enjoy some late afternoon sunshine. The forecast is better for the next few days.