Curio Bay

Curio Bay, on the Catlins coast of New Zealand's South Island, is a place where time stands still — literally. This remote, windswept bay is home to one of the world's most accessible fossil forests, a petrified woodland from the Jurassic period that's exposed at low tide. But it's not just ancient history: the bay is also a sanctuary for rare yellow-eyed penguins and Hector's dolphins, making it a living museum of New Zealand's unique natural heritage.

Highlights & What to See

• Fossil Forest: At low tide, wander across the wave-cut platform to see petrified tree stumps and fallen logs, preserved in situ for 180 million years. Look for the distinctive bark patterns and rings — some stumps are over a metre wide.
• Yellow-eyed Penguins / Hoiho: These endangered penguins nest in the scrub behind the beach. Visit the viewing hide at the southern end of the bay (especially at dusk) to watch them come ashore after a day at sea. Keep quiet and stay behind the marked barrier.
• Hector's Dolphins: The smallest dolphin species in the world, with distinctive rounded dorsal fins, often surf and play in the waves just offshore. Scan the water from the headland or the beach.
• Curio Bay Walk: A short, easy coastal track (15–20 minutes) from the carpark to the fossil forest and penguin viewing area, with informative panels explaining the geology and wildlife.
• Nearby Cathedral Caves: A 30-minute drive north, these massive sea caves are accessible at low tide — a dramatic contrast to the fossil forest.

Suggested Time to Spend

Plan for 1–2 hours at low tide to explore the fossil forest and watch for penguins and dolphins. If you're keen to see the penguins return, arrive an hour before sunset and stay until dusk (allow up to 2 hours). Curio Bay is easily combined with other Catlins stops like Slope Point and the Nugget Point lighthouse into a day's driving loop from Invercargill or Owaka.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Waikawa — a tiny settlement with a lovely museum and access to the Catlins River.
• Slope Point — the southernmost point of the South Island, with windswept cliffs and a solitary signpost.
• Nugget Point — a dramatic headland with a historic lighthouse and a colony of fur seals and sea lions.
• Invercargill — the nearest city (about 1.5 hours west), with art deco architecture and the Southland Museum.
• The Catlins Forest Park — extensive native forest with walking tracks, waterfalls (McLean Falls, Purakaunui Falls), and abundant birdlife.

Please check official sources for current details.