The Catlins
Nearby
Invercargill Stewart Island FiordlandThe Catlins: Understand
Population ~ 1,200
The Catlins is a stretch of Coastline at the very south of the South Island. It’s exposed and remote location makes for some very dramatic scenery, both on the coast and inland. One of our favourite things are the trees that permanently look like there’s a hairdryer blowing them.
Being at the bottom of the South Island, the Catlins see the longest days in New Zealand summer. On the 22nd of December, the sun rises at 5:50 am and sets at 9:39 pm, a total of 15 hous and 28 minutes daylight. What a way to maximise holiday adventures!
The Catlins: Getting In & Out
By plane:
The closest airports to the Catlins is in Invercargill and Dunedin, both 1-hour drive to either end of the Catlins.
Renting a campervan or rental car is a great way to explore New Zealand with flexibility and freedom! The remoteness of the Catlins is a particularly good time to have this freedom. It’s easiest to pick up/drop off rentals from the major airports in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. We recommend you book in advance. Check out our handy guides Travel New Zealand by Campervan or Travel New Zealand by Car.
By car:
The Southern Scenic Route is approximately 610km between Queenstown and Dunedin, and much of this route is taken up by the Catlins.
From Invercargill, get to the Catlins using the Gorge Road-Invercargill Highway. This merges with the Tokonui Gorge Road Highway and continues to Fortrose, then beyond to Tokanui.
From Tokanui, take Tokanui Haldane Road to Haldane, and turn right on Slope Point Road to head out to the Southern-most point of the South Island, Slope Point.
From Haldane, you can also continue on Haldane-Curio Bay Road to get to Curio Bay.
Waikawa Curio Bay Road will take you from Curio Bay to Waikawa…. you start to get the point!
From Dunedin, take State Highway 1 South to Balclutha, then turn left onto the Owaka Highway. From the Owaka Highway, you can turn off to go to Kaka Point, Nugget Point, or continue onto Owaka itself.
By bus:The Bottom Bus is a bus service in the South that enables you to get on and off where you like, and the driver will inform you of the best places to visit and up-to-date information on local wildlife.
The Catlins: See & Do
Going from Invercargill to Dunedin, here are our top picks to do in the Catlins…
Fortrose is a tiny town, known as the Southern Gateway to the Catlins. At low tide in Fortrose you can see the wreck of the Ino (only the outline resembles a ship). The Fortrose Cliffs are up behind the golf course, and on a good day you can see Stewart Island from here.
Waipapa Point lighthouse is stunning any time of day. There are a few walks around the point where you can learn about the shipwrecks this point is known for, in particular the “Taraua” – New Zealand’s worst civilian maritime disaster.
There are some walks in the Waipohatu Forest, including the Waitpohatu Waterfall Loop.
Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island, and if you’re not planning to go to Stewart Island or Antarctica, potentially the furthest South you’ll ever go!
Curio Bay (Tumu Toka) is a real highlight in the Catlins. You can watch the outgoing tide reveal a 180 million-year-old Jurassic forest. And dawn or dusk at Curio Bay is a good time to watch the penguins.
Surf or swim at Porpoise Bay (sometimes confused with Curio Bay, but it’s nearby!). If you’re having an exceptional day, you may also see the rare Hector’s dolphins in the surf!
McLean Falls are the highest falls in the Catlins, at 22 metres. It’s a 30-minute loop track, and if you’re coming up in the evening you could see glow worms on the last part of the track (near the top of the falls). You’d need a torch if that’s your plan!
At low tide, you can visit Cathedral Caves (for tidal information, check at the Owaka Museum and Information Centre). There’s a small fee to enter (as the access is across private land), and the walk is approximately 30-minutes one way. Be sure to whistle or make your best bird noise to test out the acoustics in the cave!
Just a few minutes from Cathedral Caves is Lake Wilkie – a short 30-minute track to a reflective lake.
Tautuku Beach – you can take the short drive to the beach, or park your car/campervan on the Southern Scenic Route and take the Tautuku Board Walk.
Papatowai is a really small coastal town, with a known surf spot and good fishing in the estuary or from the rocks at Paptowai Beach. Jump on bikes and head out to Picnic point, or take a short walk to King’s Rock. There’s also Shank’s bush walk, or if you’re up for a longer 45-minute walk the Old Coach Road Track goes to the beach then on to Tahakopa Bay (check tides to get to Tahakopa Bay). The Lost Gypsy Gallery is worth popping your head in.
Matai Falls is another fun waterfall, a 30-minute track.
Purakaunui Bay is a great spot for an afternoon barbeque or picnic. It’s also a great surf and body-boarding beach. The Purakaunui Falls are a short walk (5-minutes one-way) and are one of the most photographed attractions in the Catlins (also often found on NZ stamps!).
Owaka is another little town in the Catlins, which could provide a base to explore the area. There’s an information centre in Owaka too, for checking tides and other information on the area. A few things in and around Owaka…
- Owaka Heads – explore the Catlins estuary and rock pools (tide dependent)
- Kayak at Pounawea or fish in the estuary (fishing licenses can be sourced from the Owaka Four Square Supermarket)
- Pounawea Nature Walk
- Surat Bay – visit in the early morning to see the sea lions (check tide times at the Owaka Museum and Information Centre)
- Jack’s Bay Blowhole Walk
- Catlins River Walk, featuring 2 swing bridges
- Catch lunch at The Wisp (fishing licenses available from the Owaka Four Square Supermarket)
Nugget Point is a 20-minute walk from the carpark, with stunning views of the nuggets out in the water! There is a sea lion colony here, and between December – February, elephant seals stop off for some lounging about. Late afternoon is a great time to see the penguins, just 15-minutes from the carpark at Roaring Bay (they’ll be coming home from their day of fishing). The closest township is Kaka Point, which is very small but also a popular place for southlanders to have a “crib” (translation = bach or holiday house!).
The Catlins: Eat & Drink
Note: the Catlins are remote and the eating options are pretty limited. Below are a few good options to consider, but depending how you are traveling and how long you plan to be in the Catlins, we would recommend stocking up at a supermarket in Dunedin or Invercargill before you hit the road.
Niagara Falls Cafe is our number one spot for fuelling up in between activities in the Catlins. Perfect spot to stop for lunch, or just a snack.
Lumber Jack Bar & Cafe is your best option in Owaka, for lunch (Thurs – Mon) or dinner (every day except Tuesday). Good food and great service.
The Point Cafe on Kaka Point is set in a beautiful spot with lots of seafood options on the menu, but not always winning in terms of customer service or food quality.
BakeHouse Takeaway is a caravan in Owaka serving very good fish & chips, as well as burgers.
There is a 4-square (small supermarket) in Owaka to stock up your supplies, or pick up picnic ingredients!
The Catlins: Sleep
DOC (Department of Conservation) has campsites in Purakaunui Bay and Papatowai ($). Both campsites allow campervans, cars, and caravans. Fees are free for under 4-year-olds, $4/night for 5-17 year-olds and $8/night for adults 18+ years. Campervans will need to purchase a campsite pass as well.
Thomas’s Catlins Lodge & Campsite ($) is a great option in Owaka – great location for exploring the Catlins and friendly staff.
Lazy Dolphin Lodge ($) is in Curio Bay, and only a 2-minute walk from the beach. It’s really clean with a nice homely feel, and lovely hosts.
If you’re looking for more comfort, and perhaps meal options by your host, Kenthurst Lodge ($$$) near Owaka or Breadalbane House B&B ($$$) on Kaka Point are good options.
Where to next?
Nearby in Southland:
Invercargill Stewart Island Fiordland
Nearby Regions:
Otago West Coast CanterburyRugged coastlines, forests, and hidden lakes