Morning of 15 March 2018, under overcast skies, we are on the road south to Dunedin
We stop for morning coffee and mix in with a group of crusty local riders who like almost everyone in New Zealand are outgoing and friendly, interested in where we are from, and where we are headed.
Descending into central Dunedin
Dunedin is a university town with a population slightly less than 200,000. Surrounded by hills, the central city and harbor are located within the remnants of an extinct volcano. Arriving as we did in late afternoon after a long riding day, our primary target is the local Speights Ale House and Brewery just around the block from our hotel.
Speights Ale House in Dunedin
The place is packed, we were lucky to get a table
Off the next morning to visit one of the southernmost cities in the world. Invercargill with a modest population of 51,696, lies in the heart of an area of rich farmland.
On the road to Invercargill
New Zealand has numerous one-way bridges controlled by signs. In this photo the larger black arrow signals that opposing traffic (if any) has the right of way. Conversely, if the red arrow is the larger arrow, you have the right of way. In either case, traffic approaching the bridge must give way to opposing traffic already on the bridge. This signpost also has a “give way” warning, but many bridges have only the two arrow sign. Confused yet?
Our hotel–the 1896 Victoria Railway Hotel, located near the center of Invercargill. The hotel was refurbished in 2003-4 and awarded a NZ Historic Places Trust Category 1 Classification.
Dinner that evening in the local Speights Ale House less than half a block from the hotel. Then back to the hotel for coffee in the bar
Michael picks a Speights
The choices–all Speights
After dinner back in the hotel bar for coffee
Bartender Pam
Click to visit Invercargill’s motorcycle and car museums