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Oct 9, 2020 · Things to Do in the Catlins New Zealand. Wow, the Catlins, where do I start? A bit rugged, a bit wild, with a sense of yesteryear, void of flashy tourism, just a sense of old school off the beaten track beauty, with some beautiful waterfalls thrown in. How’s that for the Catlins in a nutshell?
- Balclutha. If you’re starting from the north Balclutha will be your first stop and is the gateway to the Catlins. This is the last place to stock up on food and petrol before your road trip in the Catlins.
- Lost Gypsy Caravan. As you head into Papatowai you’ll see a sign for the Lost Gypsy caravan. Make sure to pop in for a look. This old house bus is filled with all kinds of interesting contraptions and inventions and is lots of fun for kids and adults.
- Waipohatu Walking Track. This is a perfect morning activity and offers a little bit of exercise and rewarding views in peaceful surroundings.
- 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...
- Visit Nugget Point Lighthouse at Sunrise. The top spot on our list is definitely reserved for Nugget Point Lighthouse. The view here is easily one of the most beautiful in New Zealand, and making your way here for sunrise is both easy and incredibly rewarding.
- Stay in Kaka Point. Kaka Point is a great thing to do in The Catlins. The beach here is stunning, there’s a fish & chips shop, it’s near Nugget Point, Roaring Bay and Purakaunui Falls – it has everything you need.
- See the Aurora from Kaka Point Down to Invercargill. A lot of people don’t realise you can see the South Pole’s version of the Northern Lights – the Aurora Australis – from New Zealand.
- Purakaunui Falls. Purakaunui Falls is our favourite waterfall in The Catlins. The water cascades beautifully down the rocks. To get here, it’s a short drive from Kaka Point and a 20 minute walk – easy.
Surf Rental Options & Surf Schools In Curio Bay. Catlin’s Surfing School is located beside the beach at the Curio Bay Campground. They offer surf, stand-up paddle board and body board equipment hire. They also run surf lessons. Catlins Surf is open during the summer from November – April.
Sep 17, 2024 · The Catlins is one of my favorite parts of New Zealand. If you love the outdoors as much as I do, I’m sure you’ll agree! These top things to do just scratch the surface of all there is to explore – so get out there and experience the incredible beauty for yourself!
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The ultimate guide to visiting the Catlins in 2022, including the best things to do, where to stay and how to get around the South Island of New Zealand’s most overlooked destination. The Catlins is one of New Zealand’s most underrated gems.
