Petrified Forest Curio Bay — Attraction in Waihopai Toetoe Community

This was truly amazing to see 170 million year old tree rings in the tide pool area...I'm blown away by the details you can see after such a long period of time.

Apparently one of the rarest geological formations in the world.

The fact that you might spot penguins is also super cool, but I didn't see any in the middle of the day.

It's hard to know what you're looking for at first, but look closely and you will see the remains of what used to be a bog/forest.

You can see round tree stumps that were stacked on top of each other from a volcanic ash flow now solidified in the cliff walls at the beach. I saw them clearly about 30m away from the stairs toward the direction of the visitor center.

There's also a ton of tree stumps of varying detail in the tide pool area.

I suggest respecting the formations and trying not to step directly on them because it would be easy to do so.

The live forest walk afterwards is also nice and quiet. You could do the main loop in 10 mins, but I stopped to record bird sounds.

Hope you enjoy as...

Curio Bay is one of the major attractions in attracting around 100,000 visitors per year. Go to the the information centre, to learn exactly what you are looking at first. Otherwise you will not know what you are looking at and will be perplexed. There is a cafe.

"There are three classes of people: those who see. Those who see when they are shown. Those who do not see. ” - Leonardo da Vinci

A short walkway leads from the car park at the end of the sealed road to a viewing platform.

Along exposed parts of the cliff, are the remains of petrified wood. What does petrified wood turn into over time? You guess it- coal. Black coal is also evident.

The fossilised remains of an ancient forest is exposed at Curio Bay during low tide, around 170...

Curio Bay's Petrified Forest is an absolutely remarkable place. On the beach, you can find a 180 million-year-old petrified forest. Despite the constant influence of the sea water, this unique spot has survived over the years. It is truly a must-see location for everyone, not only for those who are interested in fossils.

The beach is a place where you can really feel the history and power of nature. The sight of the fossilized tree stumps will leave you breathless, and the walk through this ancient forest will be an unforgettable experience. It's amazing to think that these trees once grew in a completely different era.

Visiting Curio Bay's Petrified Forest is an opportunity to experience something...