Southland

Edge of the Earth Stuff

Southland is genuinely one of the best places in NZ to see seals and sea lions up close, and the Catlins coast is the heart of it. Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay are my pick for the real thing. These are sub-antarctic NZ Sea Lions we're talking about, big 500kg animals that look like they've rolled straight off an Antarctica documentary. Raw, exposed coastline and giant blubberous sea lions lazing about. It's something else.

Give Them Space

These are not the smaller, more common NZ fur seals. Sea lions are cantankerous and will move on you if you crowd them, so keep your distance and enjoy the show from a respectful gap. Nugget Point Lighthouse is another cracker spot where you can get both species in one go, fur seals and sea lions, set against dramatic rocky Pacific coastline. And while you're working the coast, Waipapa Point Lighthouse is worth the stop too. Sea lions like it there and the beach below has great stones while you watch them loll about.