Cathedral Caves are a highlight for visitors to The Catlins. Located in cliffs at the northern end of pristine Waipati Beach, they have attracted international interest for their length - the two sea-formed passages together measure just 200 metres - and their impressive height, up to 30 meters.

Popular for decades, this outstanding natural feature is 15km south of the village of Papatowai and 2km off the highway. From the car park, a one-kilometer walking track descends through lush coastal forest to the beach. Visitors cross Maori freehold land, which is managed by a trust.

Framed by native forest and cascading 20 meters over 3 tiers, the Purakaunui Falls are among the most photographed waterfalls in New Zealand. Enjoy the soundtrack of native birds and rushing water. 

Located just 17kms south of Owaka is the Purakaunui Falls Scenic Reserve. The Purakaunui Falls are a short walk from a car park area through impressive podocarp and beech forest.

The track is suitable for wheelchair access to the top viewing platform. It is then a fairly steep climb downwards to the lower platform which gives an amazing view of these picturesque falls. This makes for stunning photographic opportunities. You will find that not only are the Purakaunui Falls in most books about The Catlins, but they have also featured on a New Zealand postage stamp and many calendars.

Walk from the car park to falls – 20 minutes return.

Listen to the native birds as you walk through beautiful Southland bush to a spectacular 22-meter cascade waterfall surrounded on both sides by dark-green mossy rocks. 
A must-see waterfall in New Zealand!

To get there turn off the Chaslands Highway onto Rewcastle Road 11.6 km south of Papatowai. It's a further 3 km from the car park. The walk from this point is mostly easy-going along a well-maintained track through the native forest. There are a few steep steps to climb and some parts are wet underfoot but this is a walk the whole family can do. The striking finale is worth the effort!

Car park to falls – 20 minutes one way.

Scenic dunes, rugged coastline, sea mammals, and a historic lighthouse are to be found in this far southwest corner of The Catlins. A great spot for a walk or picnic, nature watching, or to soak up some history!

Waipapa Point has located approximately 10 km from Fortrose. From a car park area, it is a short walk to the lighthouse and the cemetery of many of the victims of a shipping disaster when the passenger steamer Tararua foundered off Waipapa Point on 29 April 1881. In response to this tragedy, when all but 20 of the 151 people aboard perished, a lighthouse was built becoming operational in 1884. It was automated in 1974 and remains active to this day although there is no public access now to enter the building.

At the base of the lighthouse sea lions and fur seals can often be seen. The sea lions sometimes put on a show fighting among themselves. Take care to not get in the way!

Car park to the lighthouse – 10 minutes one way.

A rugged and wild coastline next to a lovely beach provides the setting for a Petrified Forest, a Living forest, and a chance to see some amazing wildlife.

Curio Bay is of international significance for its Petrified Forest dating back to the Jurassic period. The tree fossils you see here, similar to Kauri and Matai, are approximately 170 million years old. The forest was alive when New Zealand was part of Gondwanaland.

Curio Bay’s Petrified Forest is best viewed at low tide from the viewing platform. Please do not damage or remove any fossils and to protect the wildlife, no dogs are permitted in the area. You can also walk through the Living Forest walkway and see how the Petrified Forest may have looked millions of years ago. This is a special occurrence in the world to see a fossil forest so close to its living counterpart.

You may also see protected Yellow-eyed Penguins at Curio Bay in the late afternoon as they come ashore after a day at sea. Please be sure to read the Department of Conservation information on these protected birds.

From Curio Bay, you could take a short walk to Porpoise Bay a beautiful beach for walking, and swimming, and where you may see the endangered Hector’s dolphins playing in the surf during the summer months.

The recently opened Curio Scape has a café and interactive museum.

Walk from the car park to Petrified Forest – 5 minutes.

Living Forest Walkway - 15 minutes return.

Spectacular views of windswept trees, southern ocean waves crashing onto the rocks and a photo opportunity at an iconic signpost are features of this southernmost point of the South Island.

Slope Point lies approximately 24 km from the small settlement of Waikawa  The signpost and cliff edge are an easy flat walk across private farmland from the carpark.  If there are sheep present, there is no public access during the lambing season (September – November). Please respect the animals and do not disturb the livestock (sheep and/or cattle) if present.

Car park to signpost – 10 minutes one way

Surat Bay is 5 kms from Owaka on the Owaka to Pounawea Rd. Follow the signs. Here you can enjoy a walk along a long, wide sandy beach with beautiful views across an inlet to Pounawea. The bay was named after the sailing vessel "Surat" that was shipwrecked there in 1874.

Cannibal Bay with its white sand and blue/green water is signposted 3 km north of Owaka and from there about 8 km down a gravel road. It owes its name to some human remains once found by a surveyor. 

At the far end of Cannibal Bay, a track commencing from False Islet Reserve leads onto Surat Bay over the dunes.  Approx 1 hour return. 

Sea lions are commonly seen in both places but don't get too close. Take as many photos as you like but keep to the 20m distance!

Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay are beautiful beaches with a real sense of history.

You can walk from Surat Bay to Cannibal Bay along the headland through the dunes. (follow the orange signs). En route, you will pass the site where human bones were once found.

You will see the shipwreck sign pointing to where the Surat ran aground in 1873, giving the bay its name. To find out more about the history, visit the Owaka Museum.

It is a great spot in The Catlins to see sea lions - ensure you keep a safe distance.

The 8km road to Cannibal Bay is gravel - please take care.

There are heaps of iconic spots to visit in the Catlins, but there are also some lesser-known places you’ll pass by on the way to them. Tunnel Hill is one of those places. Not somewhere you’d plan a trip to exclusively, but a worthwhile stop on the Catlins tourist trail all the same. Keep reading to find out more about the Tunnel Hill Track as well as some of the best places to see nearby.

The Tunnel Hill Track is located right by the side of the main road – just park up and you’ll easily see the track. It’s located a few kilometers north of Owaka, so if you’re traveling north to south it’ll be one of the first places you visit (after Nugget Point).

The Tunnel Hill Track is short and ideal for families. It should take around 20 minutes to go to the end and back, and it’s not a challenging walk. The first little bit takes you through the forest, and you’ll soon reach the feature which gives this place its name. You guessed it, it’s a tunnel. This tunnel dates back to the 1800s and is a pretty interesting place to walk through. Bring a torch (I’m guessing you’ll at least have a phone) as it gets dark in there.

Once you’ve walked through the tunnel there isn’t a lot else to do but turn around and walk back. There’s not too much else to say about Tunnel Hill – it’s a diversion from the main reason you’re visiting the Catlins (beaches, viewpoints, waterfalls, walks, lighthouses, wildlife) and I’d particularly recommend it if you’re traveling with kids – they seem to love things like this!

Just south of the Tautuku Outdoor Education Centre on the Southern Scenic Route, a 5-minute walk takes you to a lookout over the lake. A further 5-minute walk to a boardwalk provides a closer view. When the Rata is in flower around the viewing area, there can be a magnificent feast of colour as well as birdsong as Tui and Bellbirds enjoy the nectar. This walk is suitable for wheelchairs to the top viewing point.

Easy Walking - 20 minutes return

Lake Wilkie is a peat lake that is famous for its mirror reflections on a clear still day. There is a 30 minute return walk through pristine bush. It is serene, tranquil and rather special, it is one of The Catlin's hidden gems. 

Enjoying a stunning seaside setting it feels like a lovely little village. One of the Catlins prime surfing spots with sweeping sandy beaches, KP as it is known also has a beautiful bush walk. One of New Zealand’s most famous poets Hone Tuwhare spent his last decades living in an old fashioned crib constantly inspired by the spectacular scenery.  The truly remarkable Nugget Point with its wealth of wildlife is just up the road and there is also a brewery, old fashioned pub and great function venue.

Sutherland Falls were named after the Scottish settler, Donald Sutherland, when he saw a distant flash of water through the trees in 1880.  

The much-debated Sutherland Falls are believed by some to be tallest waterfalls in New Zealand. Depending on how you define waterfall, the Sutherlands Falls has a total drop of 580 meters, broken in three steps by rock. The other claim to the title of tallest New Zealand waterfall is Browne Falls (836m) in Doubtful Sound. However, people say that Browne Falls is actually a cascade since there is virtually no water falling free of rock. 

Not easily accessible, the Sutherland Falls can be seen by either tramping the Milford Track, taking a scenic flight or watching Sir Peter Jackson’s film The Hobbit.

Nestled behind the world famous Mitre Peak, the Sinbad Gully is characterised by extremely steep glacially carved walls punctuated by near vertical granite cliffs. These walls slowed pest invasion into the gully and as a result a number of unique native species remain in the Sinbad.

Experience wild Fiordland on one of our best short walks - wander through red beech forest, enjoying glimpses of the birdlife of the Eglinton valley, Lake Gunn and the surrounding mountains. It's a good option for children.

This short loop takes you through a tranquil beech forest with many trees covered in moss and great views of Lake Gunn and the surrounding mountains. This area also has many tomtits, riflemen and other forest birds.

A short side path takes you out onto a stony beach. From here you get a good view of the mountains that surround Lake Gunn.

The walk is very popular throughout the year but isn’t as busy in the colder months.

The Eglinton valley is a stronghold for New Zealand’s native birds: South Island robin/kakaruai, kākā, yellowhead/mohua as well as short-tailed bats and long-tailed bats.

For those who appreciate stomach-flutteringly steep lookout points, the Fortrose Cliffs are a worthy photo opportunity on a drive between Invercargill and the Catlins. The lookout is two kilometres south of Fortrose township.

Absolutely charming, Koropuku Falls is found in the western part of Catlins Conservation Park, along the scenic Chaslands Hwy. An un-official, more or less easy track leads to the waterfall’s base. It’s off the beaten track adventure, hugely recommended for photographers.