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You can either access The Catlins from Christchurch International Airport, Queenstown International Airport, Dunedin International Airport or Invercargill Airport. Dunedin and Invercargill Airports are the main gateway airports for The Catlins.
- How Long Do You Need to Explore The Catlins?
- The Best Things to Do in The Catlins NZ
- The Best Waterfalls in The Catlins
- The Best Places to Eat in The Catlins
- Best Places to Stay in The Catlins
- How to Get to The Catlins NZ
- How to Get Around The Catlins NZ
- Weather in The Catlins NZ
You can drive from one side of the Catlins to the other in two hours, so technically you could explore the region in a day. However, there are so many things to do in the Catlins, I’d recommend two days at minimum. We stayed three nights in the Catlins which gave us more than enough time to see the highlights. It was nice to be able to explore at a...
1. Take a picturesque walk to Jack’s Blowhole
Before you even reach this natural phenomenon, the picturesque walk to Jack’s blowhole is worth the effort alone. The walk starts at Jack’s Bay and takes 20 minutes each way. You’ll pass through sheep-clad pastures and be treated to many stunning coastal views along the way. When visiting Jack’s Blowhole, don’t expect the kind that dramatically spurts out water. This is more of an ultra-deep gorge surrounded by trees that you peer down upon from above. Spurting water or not, it’s still a cool...
2. Spot the Sea Lions at Jack’s Bay
While you are in the area, Jack’s Bay is a nice little beach to spend some time on. It also happens to be a popular hangout spot for sea lions. If you are lucky, you might spot some of these funny creatures!
3. Visit the iconic Nugget Point Lighthouse
If you google image search the Catlins NZ, photos of the Nugget Point lighthouse will probably be the first thing to pop up. Would you believe me if I said this dramatic peninsula is even more spectacular in real life? To get here, you drive up to the Nugget Point car park and walk about 15 minutes along an easy path that leads up to the lighthouse. For the most epic photo opportunities, I’d highly recommend visiting Nugget Point at either sunrise or sunset. TOP TIP: To get the dramatic persp...
Thanks to its coastal rainforest and high rainfall, the Catlins is blessed with some of New Zealand’s most spectacular waterfalls. Exploring these waterfalls is definitely one of the best things to do in the Catlins NZ! Below are some of my top picks for waterfalls in the Catlins:
I’ll pre-warn you right now… There is not a huge range of options when it comes to places to eat in the Catlins. We bought groceries at the New World in Balclutha and cooked most of our meals in a motorhome. However, there are a few of the noteworthy restaurants and cafes in the Catlins that I have outlined below:
There is a variety of accommodation available in the Catlins, including holiday houses, bed and breakfasts and motels. However, I would personally recommend staying at camping grounds. After all, the Catlins is all about the incredible scenery. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the beauty of these landscapes than by camping right in the...
The Catlins is apart of the Southern Scenic Route, which is a 600km stretch of road passing with some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery at every bend. If you have the time, it is well worth driving the whole Southern Scenic Route and making the Catlins a part of a longer road trip itinerary.
If you are visiting the Catlins, I would highly recommend driving as transport is very limited in the region. Below are the three options I would recommend for getting around the Catlins NZ (depending on your budget):
The Catlins is known for its wildly varied weather. We went in February (which is meant to be summer). One minute it would be sunny and boiling hot, the next it would be windy, raining and freezing! Typically, summer temperatures hover around 16-24C and winter temperatures around 8-13C. The area is very lush which means it does rain a lot, with an ...
Oct 9, 2020 · If you are looking to fly into the Catlins area, the closest airports are Invercargill Airport and Dunedin Airport. It is about a 40 minutes drive from Invercargill to the Catlins (well, Fortrose on the Western edge of the Catlins) or the same from Dunedin to the Catlins (Balclutha, the eastern edge of the Catlins)
Nov 25, 2021 · This Catlins itinerary assumes you’re starting in Dunedin and heading south from there. I’ll give you my perfect Catlins day trip itinerary first and then towards the end will show you the best things to see on a two or three-day trip.
This Catlins itinerary will show you the wonderful places you can visit in one day, including Cathedral Caves and Nugget Point Lighthouse. Looking to get off the beaten path in New Zealand? Consider spending a day exploring The Catlins.
Visitors could drive through the Catlins in a number of hours. Rather indulge in a slow leisurely several days to thoroughly enjoy the Catlins. The Catlins is a treasure worth a detour at the bottom of Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Feb 25, 2019 · A guide to all the best things to do in the Catlins, New Zealand so you can plan the perfect Catlins itinerary for your road trip on the South Island.
