Curio Bay
Southland
Curio Bay, located in New Zealand's Southland District, is renowned for its remarkable petrified forest dating back approximately 180 million years. This coastal embayment features fossilized logs from ancient conifers related to modern kauri and Norfolk pine, preserved through volcanic mudflows and silica impregnation. The forest thrived in a semi-tropical climate long before flowering plants existed, with evidence showing it regrew multiple times over 20,000 years before becoming fossilized. The site is also a habitat for the rare yellow-eyed penguin, hosting about 1600 breeding pairs, and is near the homes of endemic Hector's dolphins and occasional southern right whales. Visitors can explore the exposed petrified tree stumps and logs at low tide via a short walkway leading to a viewing platform, offering a glimpse into an internationally significant fossil forest stretching 20 kilometers. Strict protections ensure the preservation of this unique natural heritage. Curio Bay is a major attraction in the Catlins region, drawing around 100,000 visitors annually, with tourist information available at nearby Waikawa.
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Tip: Visit Curio Bay at low tide to best view the exposed petrified forest. Plan your trip to coincide with this to fully appreciate the fossilized tree stumps and logs. Purchase tickets or access information at the Waikawa information centre. Respect site rules by not touching or removing any fossils to help preserve the area. Early morning or late afternoon visits can offer quieter experiences and better wildlife spotting opportunities, especially for penguins.
Interesting facts
- •Curio Bay hosts one of the rarest penguin species, the yellow-eyed penguin, with about 1600 breeding pairs.
- •The petrified forest dates back approximately 180 million years to the Jurassic period.
- •Fossilized tree stumps and logs are exposed only at low tide, revealing ancient conifers related to modern kauri and Norfolk pine.
- •The fossil forest grew back multiple times over a 20,000-year period before fossilization.
- •Curio Bay is near the southernmost point of New Zealand's South Island and attracts around 100,000 visitors annually.
History
The petrified forest at Curio Bay formed around 180 million years ago during a semi-tropical period when ancient conifers and ferns thrived.
The forest was buried by volcanic mudflows and ash, preserving the trees through silica replacement over millions of years.
Fossil evidence indicates the forest regrew at least four times over 20,000 years before permanent burial.
Over time, the area remained buried until geological processes exposed the fossilized remains visible today.
Curio Bay has since become recognized as one of the most extensive and least disturbed fossil forests of its age globally.
Place Guide
Viewing Platform and Walkway
A short, accessible walkway leads visitors from the car park to a viewing platform overlooking the petrified forest. This platform offers the best vantage point to observe the fossilized tree stumps and logs exposed at low tide.
