Travel Guide Curio Bay

Off the beaten track, in the extreme south of the South Island, the Catlins region is a little jewel that attracts little attention. The scenic road from Kaka point to Waipapa point is full of unexpected wonders that we don't hear enough about when discovering Aotearoa!From Nugget Point lighthouse, ideal for watching a sunrise or sunset, to the rare petrified forest of Curio Bay, passing by the southernmost point of the South Island (Slope point) or the beaches where you can try to see sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins and pygmy penguins (Surat Bay, Roaring Bay, Curio Bay), while enjoying detours to admire caves (Cathedral Caves), tunnels (Tunnel Hill), lakes (Lake Wlikie, impressive stillness), waterfalls (Puraukanui Falls, McLean Falls), blowholes (Jack's Blowhole).... the Catlins have more than one trick up their sleeve to seduce those who will venture on its roads.There is a sense of urgency to slow down when exploring this region, to take the time to walk around, to smell, to observe; to let your eyes and your mind escape, to enjoy the magic of each place without running from one to the other. To let the charm fully work, we recommend spending 2 to 3 days there and offering yourself at least one sunrise (at Nugget Point or Curio Bay). Not always easy to get up at dawn, we know! But it's worth it in this region because it's where you have the best chance to see penguins!