The Catlins is an area of untamed beauty. Set amid rural heartland, native forest, hidden lakes, stunning waterfalls and remote golden beaches. This spectacular coastal stretch is home to an array of marine life. Seals and sea lions are regular be... Show More
Tourist Information About Catlins
The Catlins is an area of untamed beauty. Set amid rural heartland, native forest, hidden lakes, stunning waterfalls and remote golden beaches. This spectacular coastal stretch is home to an array of marine life. Seals and sea lions are regular beach visitors, while dolphins frolic in the shallows. The worlds rarest penguin, the Yellow-Eyed Penguin, nests around the Curio Bay and Waikawa area. There is a lot to see and do here and lots of attractions and activities including enjoying the views from the Nugget Point Lighthouse, exploring the Cathedral Caves which soar to more than 30 metres overhead and appreciating the sheer beauty of the Purakaunui Falls, amongst the most photographed in the world. Catlins is also home to a 170-million-year-old Jurassic forest one of only three such accessible fossil forests in the world!
Best Attractions and things to do in the Catlins
1. Nugget Point Lighthouse
Nugget Point Lighthouse takes the top spot on our list without a doubt. The view from here is certainly one of New Zealand's most spectacular, and getting here for sunrise is both simple and rewarding.
It's worth staying close to make the sunrise trip easier, as it's The Catlins' most popular destination.
The best sight is then reached after a short drive and a 15-minute stroll. It's about 34 kilometers down the track, directly at sunrise, with a view of the sea and the lighthouse. It's nearly impossible to overlook.
2. Cathedral Caves
The roar of the water reverberates through the massive crater in the cliff. The Cathedral Caves are unlike anything you've ever seen before in terms of size and sound, and they'll make you feel little! After a few minutes of bushwalking, the 1-hour trek to them is mostly a stroll down the beach. Check the opening times, as it is only accessible during low tide. The photos you can find of these caves don't do it justice from the sheer size of them - it will blow your mind away!
3. Surat Bay
Every day, visitors flock to Surat Bay to see the sea lions, but the history of the bay is also fascinating. It was named after the ship Surat, which sank in the bay in 1874, which you may be able to observe.
4. Purakaunui Bay & Falls
The breathtaking bay is home to a magnificent beach with steep cliffs. A simple Department of Conservation campsite can be found on the beach's edge. Purakaunui Falls, a beautiful waterfall hidden at the end of a short 5-minute trek, are nearby. It's a short drive from Kaka Point and an easy 20-minute walk to get here. This one has a good reward-to-effort ratio.
5. Slope Point
Don't miss the South Island's most southern point. If you're not planning on visiting Stewart Island, this is likely the furthest south you'll ever travel! Slope Point is also an excellent spot for viewing the raging southern ocean. It's a lovely site that's only a 20-minute walk across private farmland away. There will be a yellow signpost pointing to the equator and the South Pole once you arrive. The perfect opportunity for a candid photo!
6. Tunnel Hill
In the late 1800s, the tunnel was created to connect Balclutha and Owaka in preparation for railway construction. The sight of the tunnel in the middle of nowhere harkens back to the colonial era, when people were determined to construct no matter how high the mountain or how remote the location.
Tunnel Hill is the world’s southernmost railway tunnel. Something to cross off your bucket list!
7. The petrified forest
Curio Bay's petrified forest is a world-famous geological phenomenon. See the ancient tree trunks and stumps of a fossilized forest during low tide. A pod of Hector's dolphins, the world's tiniest dolphins, and even yellow-eyed penguins call Curio Bay home. This woodland was formed during the Jurassic period and is now fossilized. Today, you may stroll through this forest and see it alongside its living counterpart.
8. Catlins River and Wisp Loop Track
The two trails together cover more than 24 kilometers and comprise a full two-day hike. It's a terrific way to get out into the native forest and spend the night at a remote campsite. Both routes can be completed in less than a day for people who do not wish to camp.
9. Porpoise Bay
Porpoise Bay is right near Curio Bay. A pod of Hector's dolphins that visits during the summer and autumn is the major attraction. They are a critically endangered species and the world's tiniest dolphins.
The only site where dolphins come close to the coast without being tempted by humans feeding them is Porpoise Bay.
10. Matai Falls
Take a 30-minute hike through a secluded woodland with mossy trunks and branches for a breathtaking experience. All of this leads to the Catlins Forest Park's Matai Stream, which features two waterfalls: Matai Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
