By 10 am, we’re checked out and packed up; we head straight for Stirling Point

There’s a famous sign pointing to international locations with all of their distances from this point in Bluff

We grab a coffee in Oyster Cove and then drive round to Bluff Hill Lookout, which provides a nice 360° view

Up next is heading back to Invercargill to Queens Park because it has an aviary and some animals

Sadly, the kea they have is away at the moment but we do get to see several kakas, and one even talks to us calling himself a pretty boy!

When we investigate the other animals they have here, we find a variety of farm animals as well as some tuataras!

It’s after midday now so we go to Burger King Invercargill for some quick lunch and then we start the drive west

Along the route, we have a brief stop at Gemstone Beach but there aren’t any gemstones so keep driving until we reach Clifden Suspension Bridge

It’s the longest wooden suspension bridge in New Zealand spanning over 111 metres

After a little drive more, we finally arrive into Manapouri and research the town about a boat trip for tomorrow; with no luck, we carry onto the next activity

We drive over to where Waiau River & LotR Walk is pinpointed and wander around (see the featured image) though there’s not much signage or directional guidance so, not wanting to get lost, we continue on again

Next up is Rainbow Reach which is an access point to the famous Kepler Track here

We cross the swing bridge and follow the trail towards Shallow Bay for about 20 minutes and then head back as we’re a little knackered

Now we can check into the Luxury in Howden accommodation where we’re staying in Te Anau

We’re staying in a private room in someone’s house and they have a very friendly cat called Rosie who demanded our attention before we set off into the centre

The sun came out and the clouds disappeared so we grab a drink at Redcliff Restaurant and Bar to escape

With our thirst quenched and having been rested for a little, we wander the town to find the variety of dinner options

Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso for a Hawaiian and (not so) Spicy Chicken pizzas

When we were in the Bar before, there were a couple of musicians setting up so we pop back to Redcliff Restaurant and Bar to watch before calling it a night