Few destinations offer as much bang for your buck as Southland’s South Catlins’ Curio Bay. It’s wild nature at its best with affordable beach-front accommodation and a zany pop-up eating caravan to boot. Trust us – we have 7 good reasons why you simply have to see it for yourself!
Fossilised forest
True to its name, Curio Bay really is a rare and unusual find, and when the tide is low you can discover it for yourself at the end of well formed path to the sea. Millions of years ago, before the emergence of grasses and flowering plants, semi-tropical trees grew on the terrace you will walk across. Once the forest’s giants were felled and covered by volcanic ash, they began to fossilise and today form one of the few such visible sites in the world. Expect to walk over fossilised logs and stone tree stumps and, if you look carefully, you may even spot the outline of ancient ferns and leaves.
Yellow-eyed penguin
In the evening, from a viewing platform above Curio Bay, sightings of rare yellow-eyed penguins are an almost nightly occurrence. Take the sandfly repellent and binoculars (a deckchair also comes highly recommended!) and arrive around 5pm in summer. You may see the comical penguins immediately or need to wait until close to dark but it’s time well spent as you watch for other seabirds. Once you spot the penguins waddling in from the waves to greet each other with high-pitched calls and mutual preening before heading off to bed in the flax, you’ll be pleased you stayed the distance.
Dolphin
Back to back with Curio Bay is Porpoise Bay, named for the petite and rare Hector’s dolphins which frequent the waters in this scenic part of the country. While swimming ‘with’ the dolphins, is not encouraged (in order to protect the mammals from stress), bide your time in the water and it’s highly likely that these playful creatures will mosey on by to check you out. If you’re not a swimmer, you can still enjoy fabulous views of the dolphins from a sunny perch on the beach. Look out for them surfing the waves just before they break.
Surfing School
Operating 7 days a week from the little store overlooking Porpoise Bay, Catlins Surf School specialises in helping newbies onto a board. The gentle, unbroken waves of the bay are the key to success along with tutorage from an instructor who has worked and played in the area for over 20 years. Wet suit and board hire is available as part of the package.
Tumu Toka Natural Heritage Visitor Centre
Curioscape, a state-of-the-art visitor’s centre and café, only opened its doors in December 2017, and is already a hit. Sandwiched between Porpoise and Curio Bays, the audio visual, interactive experience inside was designed by the same professionals who brought you the Te Papa experience – and it shows. From the Maori history of the area to displays on the rare flora and fauna the region is famous for, it’s a must-see for adults and families alike. Best of all, as part of the entry fee, you’ll be able to download software which enables you to take an actual tour of the bays with all the attractions pointed out to you as you move from place to place.
Sleep
To spend less than two days in this rich environment is to do yourself a disservice, especially when affordable back packer (private rooms available) and cottage accommodation is just a stone’s throw from the ocean. If you’re camping or campervanning, the camp right above the bays offers the most private of pitches and parks and is as iconic Kiwi outdoor living as it gets.
Eat
Before you settle down for the night, head to Waikawa, the quaint fishing village just 10 minutes drive north of Curio Bay to check out the cutest of dining possies. “Blue Cod Blues” operates out of a retro caravan just down the road from the local museum and has gained an international reputation for excellent take away sea food and real-fruit ice-creams. If it’s spitting rain, make yourself at home in the covered eating space outside.
Two bays, two days – what’s not to love!