This is the start of our epic road trip through New Zealand.

The Catlins, a region at the tip of New Zealand's South Island, is not usually on tourists' radar. The area is sparsely populated, the cell service is nonexistent, and the accommodation options are - to put it nicely - pretty rustic.

But we could not have loved this part of the country more. The people are downright quirky, and the landscape is perfection - rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs, deserted beaches, brightly colored flowers, and the cutest sheep we've ever seen.

The best way to show off our journey through New Zealand's super scenic deep south is with a photo tour. And DO NOT miss the video at the end - it captures quite possibly the best experience I've had on the trip to date!

On the road again.  Our morning drive through the misty South Island hills into the Catlins. — On the road again. Our morning drive through the misty South Island hills into the Catlins.

Here are the rolling green hills I mentioned.

We did a short hike to Nugget Point lighthouse along the southern coast of New Zealand.

Further along the coast, we came across stunning Purakaunui Bay. — Further along the coast, we came across stunning Purakaunui Bay.

In awe of the beauty and tranquility of this place.  We often felt like the only people around for miles and miles. — In awe of the beauty and tranquility of this place. We often felt like the only people around for miles and miles.

How does a lamb, bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce, beetroot and aioli burger sound from The Whistling Frog Cafe?  Sounds like the best burger ever!  The addition of beets to a burger is a very New Zealand invention and it works! … — How does a lamb, bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce, beetroot and aioli burger sound from The Whistling Frog Cafe? Sounds like the best burger ever! The addition of beets to a burger is a very New Zealand invention and it works! This amazing and fun restaurant was on the premises of the Holiday Park where we set up camp for three glorious days!

After fueling up on burgers, we explored the Southern Scenic Route a bit more.  Here, we felt as though we had stepped onto the set of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies. — After fueling up on burgers, we explored the Southern Scenic Route a bit more. Here, we felt as though we had stepped onto the set of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies.

Another of the beautiful bays in the Catlins. — Another of the beautiful bays in the Catlins.

We came across this roadside gypsy coffee shop/museum on our drive.

New Zealanders invented the Flat White - steamed glossy milk over a double shot of espresso.  Did you know that after Italy, New Zealand consumes the most espresso of any other country?  We've found there to be an extremely … — New Zealanders invented the Flat White - steamed glossy milk over a double shot of espresso. Did you know that after Italy, New Zealand consumes the most espresso of any other country? We've found there to be an extremely strong cafe culture in New Zealand and have become big fans of the flat white!

My favorite wacky New Zealand roadside find - the mail whale!

This house has a microwave for a mailbox.  New Zealanders are very into sustainability - what better use for an old broken microwave? — This house has a microwave for a mailbox. New Zealanders are very into sustainability - what better use for an old broken microwave?

As we drove through the Catlins, we could see Tautuku Bay from the road.  It looked so beautiful and empty that we made it our mission to find the entrance. — As we drove through the Catlins, we could see Tautuku Bay from the road. It looked so beautiful and empty that we made it our mission to find the entrance.

Found it!  We spent about an hour walking along the beach of deserted Tautuku Bay, watching the waves and checking out cool little shells everywhere. — Found it! We spent about an hour walking along the beach of deserted Tautuku Bay, watching the waves and checking out cool little shells everywhere.

Back on the road we found this area with an outdoor fireplace and a bunch of crazy looking trees.

Straight out of a Dr. Suess book... — Straight out of a Dr. Suess book...

You can't drive more than 50 meters in the Catlins without encountering sheep, cows or horses.

We followed the coastline to Curio Bay, the site of a 180 million-year-old (yes, that old!) petrified forest, a yellow-eyed penguin colony (the rarest penguins in the world), and also the home of a few sea lions. — We followed the coastline to Curio Bay, the site of a 180 million-year-old (yes, that old!) petrified forest, a yellow-eyed penguin colony (the rarest penguins in the world), and also the home of a few sea lions.

A lone yellow-eyed penguin in the middle of Curio Bay.

A nearby sea lion lounging in the sun at Curio Bay.

Not far from Curio Bay is Porpoise Bay. Here, pods of endangered Hector's Dolphins, the world's smallest and rarest dolphin located only in New Zealand, come to swim and play in the morning and late afternoon surf.

Early on our last morning in the Catlins, we rented some boogie boards and headed out into the frigid waters all alone and waited for these amazing animals to possibly play with us. It was beyond freezing and a little scary, but as soon as we saw the first black fin coming toward us, our excitement trumped anything else we were feeling. It was utterly incredible to watch these curious and playful animals in their natural habitat, swimming under us and doing flips for their (and our) entertainment. Truly one of the highlights of this trip and my life! Check out our (shaky but awesome) video of us hanging with Hector's Dolphins below!

More to come from our New Zealand adventures!

-Michelle