Photo by
Shellie Evans
Petrified Forest Walk
-
Walking
-
Wheelchair / Pram Accessible
See rare, 180 million-year-old fossils in a tidal rock platform, accessible at low tide. Interpretation panels help bring the story to life.
Petrified stumps, fallen trees and fern imprints from a 180 million-year-old fossil forest have become exposed on the tidal rock platform.
The ancient tree fossils that once were a living forest in Gondwanaland are now recognised one of the best examples of Jurassic forest in the world today and a site of international importance.
Petrified wood such as this forest is extremely rare and only occurs under certain circumstances.
This internationally important site is accessible at low tide, although a viewing platform with interpretation panels provides the best vantage point.
Conditions
This is an irreplaceable treasure and the rocks are strictly protected. Please leave it undisturbed for others to enjoy.
How to get here
Curio Bay is signposted from the Southern Scenic Route, which follows SH92 through the Catlins from Invercargill to Balclutha.
Visitors can either travel via Otara with the option of stopping at Waipapa Point, or the more direct route through Tokanui and Waikawa. Much of the road between Otara and Curio Bay is unsealed.
Transport
Accommodation
Food And Supply
Track Elevation and Map
No photos!
This trail currently has no photos.
More information
This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.
We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.
We recommend trying these online learning tools:
Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.
Page last updated: 9/06/2023, 7:30 am