Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail

The southern part of the Catlins area is wild and windswept, with isolated beaches, rugged coastline, native forest and wildlife, as well as sheep and beef farms. Winding through this landscape is a heritage trail, a series of walks and places of interest linked by easy drives. It takes about five hours if you follow the whole trail and include all the walks.

The Catlins River Walk, a five-hour track through beech forest between the camping areas at Tawanui and the Wisp, is known for its beauty and rare native birds.

At Curio Bay there's an ancient geological phenomenon of international significance - the Petrified Forest. Fossilised trees, over 180 million years old, lie embedded on coastal bedrock. Nearby is Slope Point, the southernmost point of the South Island, with its dramatic windswept trees.

Discover the lighthouse at Waipapa Point, scene of New Zealand's worst shipping disaster.