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- Fortrose. The bay’s main attraction is the shipwreck of the Ino Steamship that is unveiled at low tide. Apart from shipwreck spotting, you can enjoy a walk along the beach and sit on the giant rock.
- Jack’s Blowhole. You may have seen a few blowholes in New Zealand, whether it’s a rock formation or a that of a dolphin. However, what makes Jack’s Blowhole so special is that it is located more than 200 metres (656 feet) away from the sea!
- Surat Bay. The colony of sea lions draw the crowds in every day but the history of Surat Bay is quite fascinating too. It got its name from the ship Surat that wrecked in the bay in 1874.
- Matai Falls. Take a stunning 30-minute track through a sheltered forest thick with mossy trunks and branches. All this leads to Matai Stream in the Catlins Forest Park with two waterfalls, Matai Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
Sep 17, 2024 · Get outside and enjoy the top things to do in the Catlins. Full of waterfalls, wildlife, beaches, and more, this remote area is stunning!
Things to Do in The Catlins. The main draw of The Catlins is the region’s stunning and abundant natural attractions; waterfalls and bays galore, caves, cliffs, blowholes, hidden lakes, wetlands and even a petrified forest. Numerous short walking tracks help visitors explore these wonders.
- Catlins Itinerary
- Sunrise at Nugget Point
- Cannibal Bay
- Jack’s Bay / Blowhole
- Purakaunui Falls
- Papatowai
- Florence Hill Lookout and Tautuku Bay
- Cathedral Caves
- Mclean Falls
- Curio Bay
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.
Watching the sunrise at Nugget Pointis a great way to start a trip to the Catlins. If you’re coming from Dunedin it’ll take around 90 minutes to reach Nugget Point, meaning you’ll have to have an early start. So worth it though! If you’re not up for an extremely early morning I’d still recommend making your first stop Nugget Point. It’s most northe...
You’ll want to visit some beaches on your Catlins trip (it’s home to some of the best beaches in New Zealand after all) and Cannibal Bayis a good one to start with. It’s a shortish drive from Nugget Point and the beach is stunning. You can also walk over to Surat Bay and you’ll get some sweeping views from the headland separating the two. Quick Sto...
Jack’s Bay is another picturesque beach in the Catlins, but that’s not that main reason to visit. Reached via a short and scenic walking trail, Jack’s Blowholeis a unique spot on the Catlins tourist trail. It wasn’t “blowing” too hard when we were there but we really enjoyed the walk.
Next up on our one-day Catlins itinerary is Purakaunui Falls, the most famous (but not necessarily the best) waterfall in the Catlins. It’s only a 5-minute walk through the forest and the falls are impressive, especially after rain.
If you’re on a Catlins day trip you’ll probably be close to Papatowai at lunch time. This is a good thing! There’s a cool little café in Papatowai, which is part of the Lost Gypsy Gallery. This place was created by local artist Blair Somerville and has heaps of automata (interactive gadgets basically). It’s one of the coolest galleries, or artist r...
You’ll struggle to find a better roadside viewpoint that Florence Hill Lookout. From the side of the road (well, a big car park) you get a perfect view over Tautuku Bay, and there are a couple of short walks by the beach too. This can be a 5-minute stop or a lot longer – it depends how much time you think you’ll have.
A visit to the Cathedral Cavesis only possible close to low-tide, and it seems to close altogether in the colder months. So, don’t have your heart set on visiting this place! It also costs $10 per person, so I can understand people not wanting to pay when every other nature spot is free. Still though, a cool set of a caves assessed via a nice beach...
McLean Fallsis, in my opinion, the best waterfall in the Catlins. It’s a lot bigger than Purakaunui Falls and since it takes a little longer to reach (45-minute round trip walk) it’s quieter. The walk is fairly easy, but you can see why a lot of people skip it in and just do Purakaunui Falls. If you’ve got the time and energy I highly recommend it....
Curio Bayis the last spot on my Catlins day trip itinerary. If you do all of this it’ll be a full day, but look at all the cool things you’ll see! Curio Bay is a great place to finish. It’s easily one of the best beaches in the region and there are a few unique things about it, including a petrified forest, the chance to see dolphins in the waves r...
Jun 14, 2022 · WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN THE CATLINS? For tourists, the most popular attractions in the Catlins are: waterfalls; Curio Bay; Nugget Point; Cathedral Cave; As you’ll see later in this post, there are some other interesting things to do in Catlins. 2. MAP OF THE CATLINS ATTRACTIONS ETC.
Feb 15, 2022 · What to See and Do in the Catlins. Matai and Horseshoe Falls. Purakaunui Falls. Koropuku Falls. McLean Falls. Waipohatu Falls. Niagara Falls. Walk to the Lighthouse at Nugget Point. Hang Out With the Sea Lions. Explore the Majestic Cathedral Caves. Get Reflective at Lake Wilkie. Walk Through an Old Railway Tunnel.
Aug 13, 2022 · Visit the giant sea caves, Cathedral Caves. Check out the fossilised forest and penguins at Curio Bay. Step on the southernmost point of the South Island at Slope Point. For more ideas on budget activities, check out the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in The Catlins.
