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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.
- 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...
Nov 17, 2021 · There are heaps of fun things to do in the Catlins, including waterfalls, walks, beaches, viewpoints, lighthouses and wildlife!
- Explore Our Favourite Waterfalls On The Waipohatu Waterfalls Track. If there is just one waterfall walk you complete in the Catlins, we can’t recommend the Waipohatu Waterfalls Track enough.
- Search For Fur Seals At Waipapa Point. Located 10 km from Fortrose, Waipapa Point is home to a historic lighthouse that illuminates the rugged coastline.
- Get A Surf Lesson At Curio Bay. During the warm summer months, Curio Bay comes alive with tourists and locals enjoying the sweeping sandy beach that’s famous for its epic surf and endangered Hector’s dolphins.
- Take A Walk To Jacks Blowhole At Jacks Bay. Located just south of Owaka, Jacks Bay is a quaint seaside shack town bordered by soaring white sea cliffs and distant farmlands.
Jan 11, 2024 · With countless epic waterfalls, rare and endangered wildlife and unbelievable landscapes, The Catlin’s is one of the best places to visit in New Zealand and should make it onto every South Island itinerary.
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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!
