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Balclutha

Balclutha is the main town in South Otago, it lies near the end of the Clutha River on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is almost halfway between Dunedin and Invercargill. Balclutha has a population of just over 4000 people and is a service town for the local farming region at the lower end of the Clutha River. Balclutha is also at the gateway to the Catlins and is on the Southern Scenic Route.

The Mighty Clutha River flows through the town. The Clutha is the largest river in New Zealand, by volume of water, and the country's second longest after the Waikato, the Waikato is 15 km longer. The Clutha River provides Balclutha with various recreational facilities, including fishing, water skiing and boating.

19 miles south east of Balclutha past some astounding beaches on the Kaka Point Road, is Nugget Point with its historic lighthouse, built in 1869. Its a 15 minute walk to the point from the road, on the walk to the lighthouse you will pass Roaring Bay, which has a hidden view-point from which you can view Yellow Eyed Penguins returning home from Fishing in the evenings. At "Nuggets" as the point is locally known, on the rocks below, fur seals, elephant seals, Hookers sea ions, yellow eyed and blue penguins bask together. On the north side of Nugget Point is a small fishing fleet. Nearby at Kaimataitai is a friendly camping ground,