The Catlins is a region in the far south of the south island between Dunedin and Invercargill. We've wanted to go there ever since the movie "Two Little Boys".
It was once totally off the beaten path, but it is nowadays starting to get more tourism. Nonetheless, we found it to be quieter than other regions we've been.
The Catlins is all about rugged coastal scenery, and some of the best marine wildlife viewing in the country. This whole coast faces Antarctica, and therefore the sea is colder, the winds stronger, and the coast is bashed by a seemingy neverending southerly swell. Yellow-eyed penguins, little blue penguins, sea lions, and Hectors Dolphins can be seen at the right places.
We went east to west, starting at Nugget point lighthouse, where there was a penguin on the beach of roaring bay at noon (very unusual time of day for him to be there!)
Some other famous sights are Jack's Blowhole and Cathedral caves, and inland there are bush walks to some nice waterfalls.
Curio Bay was a great place to spend a couple days. Its got a lot going on- a fossilized forest on the tidal shelf, at 6pm penguins hop over the petrified stumps up to their nest, we watched one feed his/her chicks. Where else in the world can you see that!
There is also a group of Hectors Dolphins living in the bay and can be seen daily, I am told they are the rarest dolphin in the world.
Also found some good fishing there, I went out at 5am when it was still dark, and surprised some blue penguins on their daily march to sea.
I caught a Rig Shark, about 3 foot long. They're great eating white flesh, and provided 2 solid meals for us. I like shark, no bones!
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