Catlins - Tautuku Bay - Southland

 

The wide, horseshoe shaped bay features white sand and wavy blue water and is backed by wind-bent trees.  The sand glitters with quartz.  I am fascinated by the turquoise water. I expect that on a tropical South Pacific Island, not on a Southland beach.

We stopped at Florence Hill Lookout, which is basically a car park by the side of the main road through the Catlins, so you don’t have to do any walking. The views are spectacular.

We spent some time watching the blowhole from Florence Hill Lookout. 

There are walks at Tautuku Bay, we didn't explore them this time.

Florence Hill Lookout is located along the Chaslands Highway, between Papatowai and Cathedral Caves. The road through the Catlins goes through plenty of twists and turns — bring motion sickness pills if you need them! There is a lot to see in the Catlins, including coastal viewpoints, waterfalls and some excellent beaches.