Day 22 - Four directions on this map but you're only going one way

Invercargill to Te Anau

We stayed in Invercargill, the second southernmost city in the world. Another veritable architectural delight, lots of late 19th century buildings built by the Scots settlers that have been well maintained and looked after. The largest is the Water Tower which looks spectacular when lit up at night. The Scottishness of Invercargill isn't just reflected in the name but in the street names, Tay, Dee, Don and so on.

We stayed in the Tower Lodge Motel, the nicest place yet. Nice big living area, bedroom, spa bath and shower. Thankfully a lot warmer than the stop in Oamaru, although the weather had got considerably wetter.

Like Dunedin, Invercargill is the sort of place you can easily stay a day wandering around. We were up against a shortage of time, so after taking snaps of some of the interesting buildings we headed north. Or rather, firstly a bit south.

Bluff (as the sign said "Bluff est 1824" - or did it?) is the most southerly point of the South Island. From there, there is Stewart Island, a couple more rocks in the sea and then Antartica. Part fishing village, part port, part supply post for the aluminium smelter across the harbour, either way this place is the end of Southern Highway 1, there is no further to go South.

So we go north, to Te Anau. The Southern Scenic Route is well named, as it takes you through some gloriously pretty places on the way around the bottom of the South Island. Along the way are reminders of how recently the place was settled - we saw the Clifden Suspension Bridge, built in 1890 and in use up to about 30 years ago. For a gaming geek, I couldn't help but stop for a picture of the sign to Monkey Island.

As you head out of Southland (trans: The Land at the South) into Fiordland (trans: Land of Fiords - darned inventive this Victorian Scots) the scenery begins to get hillier. Fiordland contains the Southern Alps and New Zealands largest peak - Mount Cook. It also contains plenty of fiords (that is the with an "i", the correct spelling) and harbours - including a place called Pearl Harbour, which was just crying out for a picture.

Our destination for the night was Te Anau, a holiday stopoff sort of place as it is the last major town before the next place on our itinerary, the famous Milford Sound. Arriving after dark, the place is like a quieter, posher Blackpool with everywhere seeming to be a motel, hotel or backpacker place. After a little faffing, we did find some digs for just $60 per night. A hearty meal at The Moose and then a good nights sleep.