1 - 2 Oct 2011
Dense rain forests, bush walk with native birdlife, stunning coastal scenery, wildlife such as the Hoiho (yellow eyes penguin) and the rare Hectors Dolphins are all found in The Catlins.
In the very early morning, before dawn, we set off from Invercargil to the Waipapa Point in the Catlins.
Waipapa Point
There was a lighthouse and it was a also a place where we saw New Zealand's worst shipping disaster - the wreck of the Tararua in 1881.
Slope Point
It is the most southern point of the South island, noted for its windswept beauty.
Curio Bay
The fossilized forest at Curio Bay is 160 million years old and one of the most extensive in the world. Years of pounding by the sea have worn away soil to reveal the fossilized trees. These stumps are all that remain of the Jurassic forest. They were fossilized by silica in the ash-filled flood waters. It can be viewed at low tide.
Mclean Falls
A turn-off just before the Catherdral Cave car park leads to a 30 minute bush-walk which ends at these scenic falls.
Nigeria Falls
There were named by a surveyor with an obvious sense of humor who had seen the large North American falls and named these small falls after them.
The Lost Gypsy Gallery
It is located in a big green bus. You should reach here if you follow the 'Curios' sign off the main road. You will find little interesting stuff here that keep you entertained.
Horseshoe Falls
It is a small 10m waterfall that is literally minutes away from Matai Falls. Thus, you can see it while driving along the Southern Scenic Route in the Catlins Forest Park.
Nugget Point
This windswept peninsula with its historic lighthouse is home to southern fur seals, native sealions and yellow-eyed penguins. The yellow-eye penguins are greatly protected and hence people are only allowed to watch them in a hut from the windows.
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