Whangarei
17.89°C
Whangarei
17.89°C
Waitakere City
16.98°C
Manukau City
17.11°C
Papakura
24.46°C
Hauraki
17.26°C
Waikato
17.67°C
Matamata
18.46°C
Hamilton
17.51°C
Otorohanga
18.52°C
Rotorua
16.6°C
Taupo
15.44°C
Tauranga
19.27°C
Kawerau
18.6°C
Whakatane
19.64°C
Gisborne
15.51°C
New Plymouth
16.98°C
Stratford
8.97°C
Ruapehu
14°C
Wanganui
17°C
Palmerston North
16.41°C
Wairoa
19.19°C
Hastings
18.84°C
Napier
18.49°C
Masterton
15.49°C
Carterton
15.66°C
Porirua
15.99°C
Lower Hutt
16.45°C
Wellington
15.79°C
Tasman
9.35°C
Nelson
16.27°C
Marlborough
3.22°C
Kaikoura
15.48°C
Christchurch
12.59°C
Ashburton
12.52°C
Timaru
13.37°C
Waitaki
11.32°C
Waimate
13.08°C
Queenstown
12.38°C
Dunedin
14.33°C
Southland
9.98°C
Gore
11.31°C
Invercargill
12.06°C
Blenheim
14.73°C
Te Anau
27.35°C
Wanaka
11.17°C
Kaikoura
13.38°C
Stratford
13.54°C
Upper Hutt
15.9°C
About
The 47-hectare Department of Conservation Wildlife Reserve at Nugget Point has dramatic views of “The Nuggets, rocky islets that surround the steep headland. These wave-eroded rocks, which are likened to the shape of gold nuggets, can be easily seen and photographed from the viewing platform at the Nugget Point (Tokata) Lighthouse.
The well-maintained pathway to the lighthouse is an easy 20-minute walk from the car park and is suitable for all ages. Along the way, you may see the large breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals (Kekeno) on the rocks at sea level to the left of the track and also below the lighthouse. You will also see the many types of seabirds that make The Nuggets their home, from gannets and royal spoonbills to penguins. In the summer months, elephant seals rest at The Nuggets, and the ocean can be covered in large flocks of Sooty Shearwater/Tītī.
The lighthouse was built in 1869 to protect the small vessels that moved around the coast. The 9.5m tall tower was constructed from locally quarried stone and stands 76m above sea level. Opened on 4 July 1870, the lighthouse was originally powered by an oil burner but was converted to a 1000W lamp in 1949 with electricity provided by a diesel generator until the 1960s when it was connected to mains electricity. The lighthouse was automated in 1989 and is computer-monitored and operated by Maritime New Zealand.
Roaring Bay is a special scenic area on the south coast of the tip of Nugget Point that is home to a small colony of Yellow-Eyed Penguins (Hoiho). The area is accessible via a short 20-minute return walk from a small carpark that is 800m before the main Nugget Point carpark. Follow the track to a bird-viewing hide where you can watch the penguins as they move from the sea to their nesting places amongst the coastal vegetation. These shy birds are best viewed late in the afternoon when they come ashore after fishing at sea. Yellow-Eyed Penguins (Hoiho) are one of the rarest penguin species in the world and are unique to New Zealand and the sub-Antarctic islands.
Three kilometres southwest of Papatowai, a short gravel road leads to sweeping Tautuku Bay, which can be viewed from on high at the Florence Hill Lookout. The glow isn't your imagination, it's the quartz content of the sand.
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.
From the Lake Marian carpark on Hollyford Road, cross the swingbridge and continue to the spectacular series of waterfalls. This easy 20 minute return walk offers fantastic photo opportunities.
From the falls, the track continues on to Lake Marion, a 3 hour, 3.1km return tramp via the same track. The remote trail becomes steep and sometimes muddy, so you will need good fitness and advanced backcountry experience, including navigation and survival skills. Lake Marian is an alpine lake in a hanging valley formed by glacial action, in one of the most beautiful settings in Fiordland. The lake is above the bush line and is surrounded by mountains with magnificent reflections if the weather is calm.
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.
This recreation area has been developed on conservation land at the edge of the Waikawa Forest, which was last logged in the 1960s. The access roads are old saw milling roads and the picnic site was once a skid site where logs were hauled and loaded for transport.
From the picnic site there is an easy access short bush walk that is suitable for wheelchairs. It explores an excellent example of a typical Catlins coastal forest with an impressive range of tree and fern species. This is a registered Kiwi Walk.
There is also a longer, 3 hour tramping track that leads to two waterfalls: the upper Waipohatu Falls - Pouriwai Falls and the Lower Waipohatu Falls - Punehu Falls. It requires average physical fitness and can be walked return or as a loop. This track has been recently upgraded as a result of a joint effort by the local Promotions group and the Toi Tois Lions Club. Two new bridges have been put in and new directional signs added.
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.
Jack's Bay is located 6 km from Owaka. It is a picturesque location with a row of holiday homes looking out over the ocean. The beach is family friendly and great for walking and spotting wildlife such as sea lions. It is also another great spot in The Catlins for watching the sunrise.
The bay connects to a walking track which leads to a blowhole 55 metres deep. The walk is across farmland marked by painted poles and has some steep sections. A strong high tide is required for spouting to occur to see the blowhole in action but the views make it a worthwhile place to visit.
Carpark to blowhole: 1 hour return. Open all year round.