Secret Penguin Beach

So, after an exhausting day on the galcier, it was time (after a well deserved lie-in) to head down the west coast towards Wanika, where Simon lives.

First stop, Knights Point, where we took in some great views, then we went onto a very exciting secret beach where Fjordland Crested Penguins were nesting. It was very difficult to find (a local secret), and a good 20 minute walk through the woods over a few streams, but it was very exciting and totally worth it.

When we arrived, we mistook some bits of burnt logs for penguins, but soon realized our error (!) and sat tight and waited until were rewarded with a whole load of little ones plodding around us. Very cute!
We hung around for about an hour and a half, absolutely enchanted, feeling privileged to be in this beautiful country.