SOUTHLAND: CATLINS

The Curio Bay Campsite is in a stunning location with beach walks and the petrified forest close by. There is a store where you can buy takeaway meals and basic supplies. Unfortunately, the campsite is not very large, and their facilities were pretty basic. 

I imagine that it would be fully booked all through summer, mainly because the location includes safe swimming and surfing from a really nice sandy beach. You can also see dolphins and penguins, and there are guided walks available over summer.

The coastline alternates between beautiful sandy beachs, and being really rocky and wild, 

The South Catlins Charitable Trust is in the process of upgrading the facilities, and the toilets appear to have already been done. But I would rather use our own motorhome showers that the ones in their circular concrete shower block.

Curio Bay has the potential to be a great location for motor caravanners. Unfortunately, in not catering for those who are fully self-contained, we think that the campsite is missing out on an opportunity.

We really like the bay, but wouldn't normally choose to stay at the campsite. Consequently, we might visit for the day and then move on, most likely without spending anything.

If overnight parking was allowed in the public parking area around the campsite, we would almost certainly stay for one or two days, maybe buying food from the shop, or taking a guided walk.

We think that is's a real shame that campsite owners tend to see self-contained motor caravanners as free-loaders, rather than as a new and growing opportunity.