Curio Bay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

The petrified forest at Curio Bay. It's just a small town with one attraction. Here you can see the forest at low tide. In the evening you can spot some yellow eyed penguins. There is also a very nice beach.
The petrified forest at Curio Bay. It's just a small town with one attraction. Here you can see the forest at low tide. In the evening you can spot some yellow eyed penguins. There is also a very nice beach.
Curio Bay, The Catlins
Curio Bay is on the other side of Porpoise Bay in the Catlins. It's home to seals and yellow eyed penguins and one of the oldest petrified forests in the world. it is just incredible.

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Curio Bay Salt House Motel

Curio Bay Salt House Motel

3 out of 5
517 Waikawa-Curio Bay Rd Curio Bay
The price is NZ$220 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
NZ$220
10 Mar - 11 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach guesthouse in Curio Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Curio Bay Beach and Curio Bay Petrified Forest ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (359 reviews)
View was magnificent

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Curio Bay Salt House Motel
Waikawa House

Waikawa House

3.5 out of 5
14 Lisburn street Waikawa southland
The price is NZ$220 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
NZ$220
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this guesthouse in Waikawa. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Porpoise Bay Beach and Curio Bay Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
This property was much more than we expected. So lovely to have this much space.

Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025

Waikawa House
Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

RD2 Owaka Otago
The price is NZ$193 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
NZ$193
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
Catlins respite
Ray was very friendly and welcoming. The room was comfortable and warm. Didn’t realise it was separate from the bathroom although that was in the description. No sign of a hot tub? Would be better in the summer to enjoy the deck.

Reviewed on 24 May 2024

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins
See all 13 properties in Curio Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

RD2 Owaka Otago
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
Catlins respite
Ray was very friendly and welcoming. The room was comfortable and warm. Didn’t realise it was separate from the bathroom although that was in the description. No sign of a hot tub? Would be better in the summer to enjoy the deck.

Reviewed on 24 May 2024

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins
Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Tahakopa Otago
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (10 reviews)
Very friendly host and well maintained property

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2025

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins
Tram Track Retreat accommodation in Papatowai, The Catlins

Tram Track Retreat accommodation in Papatowai, The Catlins

Papatowai Otago
Stay at this cabin in Papatowai. Popular attractions Matai Falls and Purakaunui Falls are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
An absolutely delightful cabin with relaxing views and great location for exploring the Catlins. We recharged after a busy Xmas and had the lovely quiet New Year at Tram Track Retreat was perfect!

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Tram Track Retreat accommodation in Papatowai, The Catlins
See all properties in Curio Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Curio Bay Petrified Forest

Explore the great outdoors at Curio Bay Petrified Forest, a lovely green space in Curio Bay. Stroll along the beaches or visit the monuments while you're in the area.

Curio Bay Petrified Forest

Reviews of Curio Bay

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

If you haven’t been there, go!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We only spent one night here and it rained the next day, but we still enjoyed it and will return.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful wee place would love to visit again in summertime

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The cafe up the road serves food, wine and spirits if you don’t want to cook.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This is a place of such contrast. The fierce wind a high seas changed completely the next morning to a flat sea and little wind.

Cities near Curio Bay

Upper McLean Falls; the reward at the end of the short walk through the rain forest in the Catlins on the south island of New Zealand. #nature

Catlins Forest Park

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