Curio Bay

Travel Guide

The petrified forest at Curio Bay. It's just a small town with one attraction. Here you can see the forest at low tide. In the evening you can spot some yellow eyed penguins. There is also a very nice beach.
The petrified forest at Curio Bay. It's just a small town with one attraction. Here you can see the forest at low tide. In the evening you can spot some yellow eyed penguins. There is also a very nice beach.
Curio Bay, The Catlins
Curio Bay is on the other side of Porpoise Bay in the Catlins. It's home to seals and yellow eyed penguins and one of the oldest petrified forests in the world. it is just incredible.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Curio Bay Salt House Motel

Curio Bay Salt House Motel

3 out of 5
517 Waikawa-Curio Bay Rd Curio Bay
The price is CA $145 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
CA $145
CA $169 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach guesthouse in Curio Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Curio Bay Beach and Curio Bay Petrified ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (364 reviews)
Beautiful view of ocean from our room, very quiet, everything was very clean.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

Curio Bay Salt House Motel
Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Tahakopa Otago
The price is CA $112 per night from Mar 13 to Mar 14
CA $112
CA $154 total
Mar 13 - Mar 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
Very welcoming host and cool little room and deck area. Great location, close to lots of the Caitlin sights and beaches.

Reviewed on Feb 25, 2026

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins
Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

RD2 Owaka Otago
The price is CA $112 per night from Mar 13 to Mar 14
CA $112
CA $154 total
Mar 13 - Mar 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
The property was just lovely. Yard and gardens were immaculate and Ray was very nice and pleasant to deal with. It was fine for one nice, but very dated and rather inconvenient to have the bedroom, fridge and "kitchen" & bathroom in 3 separate rooms-you had to go outside to go between them. A moderate ...

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2026

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins

RD2 Owaka Otago
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (5 reviews)
The property was just lovely. Yard and gardens were immaculate and Ray was very nice and pleasant to deal with. It was fine for one nice, but very dated and rather inconvenient to have the bedroom, fridge and "kitchen" & bathroom in 3 separate rooms-you had to go outside to go between them. A moderate ...

Reviewed on Feb 11, 2026

Cosy, comfortable cabin in the heart of The Catlins
Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins

Tahakopa Otago
Stay at this cabin in Tahakopa. Enjoy patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions McLean Falls and Matai Falls are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
Very welcoming host and cool little room and deck area. Great location, close to lots of the Caitlin sights and beaches.

Reviewed on Feb 25, 2026

Cosy, Comfortable, Rustic Cabin In The Absolute Heart Of The Catlins
Surfinn Eco Cottage - Papatowai Cottage

Surfinn Eco Cottage - Papatowai Cottage

Papatowai Otago
Stay at this cottage in Papatowai. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Matai Falls and Purakaunui Falls are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (18 reviews)
Booked for 5 nights, stayed 1 during the peak holiday season. A number of issues around cleaning following the last guests and a loud internal water pump next to one bedroom. Far from ideal. Property wasn’t as expected for the price.

Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026

Surfinn Eco Cottage - Papatowai Cottage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Curio Bay

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
0
5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 100%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quaint little area