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catlins
Come and explore one of our least-known
wilderness areas, hidden away in the southernmost part of the
South Island. Here life is unhurried and moves in synch with
nature.
Catlins Forest Park is well off the beaten track, straddling the
border between Otago and Southland. It is found the Southern
Scenic Route, 50 km from Invercargill and 100 km from Dunedin.
The park comprises more than 10 forests and reserves spread over
a rugged landscape of parallel ridges leading inland to the
highest point, Mt Pye (720m). The Catlin’s forests are
unique because they have been largely untouched by animals, fires
or past glacial action. They are thought to have been one of the
last sanctuaries of the giant flightless moa, which died out 200
years ago. There is rich bird life in the park, and you are
likely to see and hear the tui, bellbird, kaka, rifleman,
yellowhead and pigeon.
The Catlins River Track leads you into a delicate rainforest
ecosystem with 28 species of fern and many epiphytes, orchids and
vines. The Pounawea Nature Walk on the northern side of the
river, is a 45 minute loop through luxuriant native forest
dominated by rimu, totara, kahikatea and southern rata.
Once you have experienced the bush, head down to the rugged
cliffs, bays and sea caves of the Catlins Coast. Don’t miss
Curio Bay, home to one of the best fossilized forests in the
world. The rocky foreshore is a maze of stumps and trunks of
ancient trees, frozen in time since the day they fell 160 million
years ago. Just around the headland is Porpoise Bay, which has
been adopted as a permanent home by a pod of Hector’s
dolphins. Keeping them company are yellow-eyed penguins, fur
seals and sometimes sea lions. Other coastal highlights are the
dramatic seascape of Nugget Point, and also Slope Point, which is
the southernmost part of the South Island. It lies halfway
between the Equator and the South Pole.
Discover this forgotten corner of New Zealand with its
‘Garden of Eden’ forests and Jurassic Park petrified
trees. You won’t be disappointed.
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