I can't tell you enough how easy it is to drive here and how scenic the routes are. We've been extremely lucky with the weather I think too. So off we set after filling up with petrol and sorting out our route- only one road we could take really!

A good way to go so kept to the 100kph (ish) limit most of the way and stopped briefly at the Riverside Cottages- some nice little shops with nic nacs and a restaurant- so we had a nose around and stretches our legs before heading off on Oamaru where we had planned to get some lunch. We parked up near the harbour and walked back towards the town along Harbour Street which has been kept as an authentic Victorian area with some quaint shops and workshops. Artists and sculptors at work within the shops too. Very nice wander before going back to the seafront for a bite to eat- the snack we thought we'd ordered turned out to be much more but good food nonetheless. A drink in the Union Hotel back on Harbour Street helped us to sit and digest lunch whilst studying the map to stop at the Moeraki Boulders- whilst there the locals mentioned something to the barmaid about watching out for a big wave later- it was here we heard about the earthquake in Chile and the possible 'tsunami' effect on the East coasts of New Zealand. Not a wall of water, we were informed, just some strong surges. The barmaid shrugged it off and said it wouldn't be bad in the South Island. She also advised us where to park for the Boulders and to avoid the signs to drive to the café - she said she used to work there and customers were asked to donate money to see the Boulders- soverhung she didn't agree with- her advice was good.