Petrified Forest

Fiordland & Southland


Marvel at the rare phenomenon of fossilised forest, extending south of Curio Bay. Preserved by silica in the ashy floodwaters that submerged these Jurassic-era trees, craggy stumps and entire logs create a dramatic contrast with the frothing waves. The wood grain is still clearly visible. The petrified forest is revealed for around four hours either side of low tide.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fiordland & Southland attractions

1. Curioscape

0.18 MILES

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2. Waikawa Museum & Information Centre

3.2 MILES

A one-stop shop in a one-horse town, Waikawa's museum incorporates an information centre, acts as the reception for various local holiday rentals, and…

3. Slope Point

4.65 MILES

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4. Waipapā Lighthouse

11.93 MILES

Standing on a desolate but beautiful point surrounded by farmland, this 13.4m-high lighthouse was built after the SS Tararua disaster, an 1881 shipwreck…

5. McLean Falls

13.74 MILES

A lovely walk along wooden walkways and fern-fringed tracks brings you to the attractive McLean Falls, named for an early 20th-century settler renowned…

6. Cathedral Caves

13.8 MILES

Cutting back into cliffs right on the beach, the huge, arched Cathedral Caves were carved out of the limestone by 160 million years of waves. Named for…

7. Fortrose Cliffs

15.1 MILES

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8. Florence Hill Lookout

18.26 MILES

Three kilometres southwest of Papatowai, a short gravel road leads to sweeping Tautuku Bay, which can be viewed from on high at the Florence Hill Lookout…

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