Today felt like our busiest day yet. We hit the ground running with a quick trip up Baldwin St. The keen ones raced and the rest of us followed. Forest were victorious in the Jaffa roll, Mountains cracked in half a few metres into it and Coast disappeared into the gutter. Next it was off to the Otago Museum. Over the next four hours we walked through the university and down iconic Castle St to the botanical gardens and bird avery, and explored the museum and butterfly forest. We greeted our friendly bus drivers again at three and then it was off to Moana Pool. At the rate the children rushed up and down the hydro-slide, they weren't as tired as we thought they were! After a nourishing dinner, it was evening activity time. The little blue penguins were well worth the 45 minute wait, as we watched them waddle up the beach towards us. Andrew from Hair-Raiser Tours entertained, educated and spooked us, as we toured the streets around the Octagon, learning about it's darker history.

And they're off!

Our five fastest finishers.

We all made it!

Ready, set, roll ...

Otago University

Playing in the gardens.

Butterfly encounters.

These pics are self-explanatory. It was fun on that slide!

That's them down on the sand. Safety in numbers.

On their way to their nests, right under our feet.

Andrew tells us of the fate faced by Mr Ward when he opened an explosive parcel.

There were a whole raft of responses to the stories we heard.

We are just back at camp after a fabulous day on the peninsular. Through Juliette being transformed into an albatross, we learnt about this mighty bird, before heading off to the observatory to see three chicks in their nests, waiting for their parents to return with a meal. We also saw and learnt about the disappearing gun and the Maori heritage of this beautiful place. Next stop was Larnach's Castle, where we were wowed by the majesty and interesting history of this awesome place. We were thrilled to bump into a special friend there. We are now having some down time before an early dinner, then it's back on the buses, with the Year 7s heading off to see the little blue penguins and the Year 8s into the Octagon for a hair raising tour!

Dressing up as an albatross.

We got to see three chicks.

The disappearing gun.

To the top of the castle!

Mountains selfie time.

Look who we found!

The beautiful hanging staircase.

Group 3 striking a posh pose.

And of course 'the dab'.

Showing that we care with pristine bunk-rooms.

Preparing a yummy dessert.

As we approached Otago, the sun peeped out from behind the grey Canterbury clouds, matching the enthusiasm and energy of the Kauri campers. Leaving behind damp Ashburton and drizzly Timaru, the team raced down the steps to the magical Moeraki boulders, leaping and posing. Hitting Dunedin Holiday Camp at 5pm, we unpacked and headed off to St Kilda's Beach where we rolled, dug, raced and cartwheeled. After a scrummy dinner, it was off to wash, spin a few yarns and relax. Bring on day two!