Discover The Catlins

Considered by many New Zealanders as a must visit, The Catlins is a stunning coastal stretch between Invercargill and Balclutha of rugged beauty reminiscent of a bygone era. Here you'll find a place full of native forests, cascading waterfalls, secret lakes and bays and deserted sandy beaches. From picturesque lighthouses to a petrified forest, this area is home to bountiful fauna such as seals, sea lions, Pahu hector's dolphins, hoi ho yellow-eyed penguins and more! The area's natural landscapes and extraordinary wildlife are a sight to see!

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DO

There are plenty of sights to see. If you're looking for the best spots, local guide Lyndon from Catlins Mohua Park can show you the sights on his ATV tours. The Catlins is also home to the famous Petrified Forest. This 180-million-year-old Jurassic fossil forest, revealed with the outgoing tide, is one of only three accessible fossil forests in the world!

Hit the water for a paddle in Papatowai where you can even start the day watching wildlife rise for the morning. Surfing at Curio Bay with Catlin’s Surf School often brings the incredible surfing experience next to a pod of Hector’s dolphins who are fond of the area.   

A must-see for anyone passing through Papatowai is a stop at The Lost Gypsy, a showcase of wind-up and water-driven automata created by tinkerer Blair Somerville. For a small entry fee, you could spend an endless amount of time inspired by the pure genius of the gadgets that have been put together out of previously loved (or littered) items!  Finish up with a coffee and homemade cake from the Little Rocket Coffee Cart parked besides the gallery.

Check out more things to do in the Catlins here.

SEE

There are so many stops that make the trip through the Catlins one to remember and none should be rushed. How can you choose between New Zealand's most-photographed waterfall Pūrākaunui Falls or the mesmerizing McLean Falls? Florence Hill Lookout offers a jaw-dropping view of a blue/green ocean rolling onto white sandy beaches. It is a stark contrast to the luscious green podocarp forest that skirts the coast.   

The wonders keep coming with the Cathedral Caves; a popular tourist spot that dwarfs any dweller that enters. At 200m long and 30m high it is only accessible at low tide so be sure to check first!  At the far end of the Catlins is Nugget Point, aptly named as it sure looks like giant gold nuggets poking out from the ocean. The lookout to the Nuggets is below the infamous Nugget Point lighthouse, a historical working lighthouse that almost mimics its counterpart at the other end of the Catlins, the Waipapa Point Lighthouse.

Check out more things to see in the Catlins here.

EAT

Although The Catlins is full of nature there are still quite a few spots to reenergise yourself. Like Niagara Falls Café, not just famous because of its namesake – this gorgeous old schoolhouse café serves up incredible homemade delicacies that locals from all over the region travel to sample.   

Check out more food spots in the Catlins here.

STAY

Whether you are travelling as a group, a family or a couple there are a number of accommodation options through the region. Many are holiday homes or small B&B’s that overlook the stunning bays in the region. 

Although the environment is wild, this doesn’t mean guests have to rough it, Mohua Park offers warm hospitality and high-end self-contained eco-cottages that tuck into the hillside overlooking lush farmland. Beresford Heights offers something different, perched high on a hill with your chauffeur at the helm of an ATV escorting you over farmland to the remote getaway. Or watch the sunrise from Pūrākaunui Bay at the Campsite.

Check out more places to stay in the Catlins here.