Timing

The platform is best explored at low tide, although you will still be able to see the forest remains 1-2 hours either side of low tide.

Access

Curio Bay is well signposted from the Southern Scenic Route. At the end of Curio Bay Road, turn right and a raised parking area is at the start of the track, shortly after on the left.

Track

Follow the track past the flax then descend the wooden steps to the inter-tidal rock platform. Explore at leisure.

The platform is best explored at low tide, although you will still be able to see the forest remains 1-2 hours either side of low tide.

As you are enjoying the forest, remember that generations after you would also like the same experience. Leave it as it is and don’t be tempted into taking a memento.

Geology

The geology of the Catlins is distinct from the surrounding regions, with mostly sedimentary rocks deposited in a marine basin known as the Murihiku Syncline. Later tectonic pressures have been relatively gentle, allowing the rocks to stay relatively unaltered and the fossilised remnants to be preserved.

Around 180 million years ago in the Jurassic Period, the Earths’ continents we know of today were joined in to supercontinents, today’s southern hemisphere landmasses known as Gondwanaland. Birds had not yet evolved, but tuatara’s ancestors and dinosaurs roamed freely in the forest. Ferns and ancestors of kauri and matai formed the forest here, which over a period of 20,000 years was buried beneath successive lahars (mudflows from volcanic eruptions) and sediment from river flooding. This preserved the trees and over time silica minerals replaced the carbon content of the wood, literally turning the trees to stone. Notable tree families include Mesembrioxylon, Dadoxylon, and Pentoxylon.

Subsequent tectonic uplift has now re-exposed the layers in the rock. Some are still seen in the cliff faces and the most impressive are exposed on the inter-tidal rock platform.
Stumps and fallen logs abound, the petrification preserving the form of the wood.

Flora

Rock pools filled with Neptune’s necklace form in the hollows, and the bursts of foaming water mark the kelp fringed shoreline.

Fauna

Keep watch for fur seals who inhabit the area.

While in the area you should also head left at the end of Curio Bay Road into the campground and view the yellow-eyed penguins from the lookout.

Nearby Porpoise Bay is one of the best locations to look for Maui’s or Hector’s dolphins. These are the world’ smallest dolphin and one of the rarest. Around 40 live near Porpoise Bay. They are only 1.4 metres long, coloured light grey or white and have a curved dorsal fin. They rarely jump out of the water and stay close to shore.