The Catlins, New Zealand

The Catlins is an area of the Southland that feels as remote as it is remote — isolated forests, wildlife filled bays and estuaries, hidden beaches, winding gravel roads that lead to hidden gems. In every other area of the country we felt like we were on the heals of other visitors, but here we felt like we’d found something unseen by other humans for at least months, if not years. Even the sheep were startled to see us, where normally they would just stare. This was New Zealand and I loved it; I definitely could have gotten lost here for a while.

Curio Bay is home to one of the oldest and most extensive petrified forests in the world. At low tide, the 160 million year old forest is revealed, and you can walk amongst its’ remains.


This old fishing hut looks forgotten, but I’d bet it is well-used.


The New Zealand Sea Lion or Hooker’s Sea Lion is the rarest sea lion in the world and is only found on the southern most shores of New Zealand and a few of its’ islands.


Nugget Point is a rocky outcropping where you will find New Zealand Fur Seals, Hooker’s Sea Lions, and Elephant Seals, plus two species of penguins, and a variety of other sea birds.