March 18, 2026
Port Chalmers is this picturesque small harbor town of just about 1,400 residents, located at the head of the Otago Harbour, on NewZealand's south island. The port has deep maritime roots dating back to Scottish settlers who arrived in the mid 1800's. It is celebrated for its Victorian heritage, dramatic coastal scenery and thriving arts community.
Pulling into port in the late afternoon sunshine was enchanting! A true feast for the senses! The coastal road, rolling with lazy S curves all the way into the port, begs for a daily commute you would treasure! And the smell of fresh timber, wafting out of the port, rivals the treats in any bakery. Timber is a huge export for NZ with 50% going mainly to China and the balance to India, South Korea & Japan. The trees are primarily radiata pine from fast growing plantations NZ has planted.
We cleared customs by 4:30 pm and a small group of us, made our way off the ship and into a taxi to make the one and only Catholic mass in town at 5 pm, Saturday night, at St. Mary Star of the Sea. The parish only has 25 to 30 members and the priest travels in once a week from over 40 minutes away. The church has just been freshly renovated, we could still smell fresh paint. The interior decor is all taken from a shipwreck that happened in the harbor of the S.S. Tyrone ( previously named Drayton Grange) in 1913. The altar uses the propeller, the baptismal fount, a port hole and I loved the copper lights! The whole decor is so tasteful and endearing and the people could not have been kinder or more welcoming. It was a real treat to get such a warm welcome. The head of renovations, Mary, gave us a tour of the property, after Mass and shared the history of the shipwreck and story of Sister Mary, who came there years ago, for missionary work and started the parish. The communion dish was beautiful Paua shell.
After Mass we strolled down the hills to the Port admiring all the lovely Victorian architecture and gardens of the surrounding homes.
