These 22 metre falls on the Tautuku River in the Catlins Conservation Park are often described as the most spectacular in the region.
Tautuku Beach Road,
Tautuku
Tautuku is a spectacular, forest-fringed bay that sweeps round to an impressive headland.
From 1839 to 1846, a whaling station was sited near Tautuku peninsula's neck, and a port was later developed for the fishing, flax and timber industries. When these industries declined, the port was closed. Today, Southern Right Whales (Tohorā) are making a slow come back and can occasionally be spotted in the waters near the bay. New Zealand Sea Lions (Whakahao) and Yellow-Eyed Penguins (Hoiho) are among the wildlife that can often be seen on beach.
Content
Department of Conservation
Last modified
Wed 27 Jun 2018
- Activities
- Natural Attraction
- Free Things to Do
- Outdoor Activities
- Sightseeing
- Sport & Recreation
- Water Activities
- Swimming & Diving
- Surfing
- Half-Day
- Less than half day
- Family Friendly
- Scenic Attraction
- Picnic
- Self-Guided
- Walking & Tramping
- Sport & Outdoor
Features
Nearby
At Papatowai, tucked away in the Catlins, is a green house truck that's the studio of artist-craftsman-tinkerer extraordinaire Blair Somerville.
Enjoy this location in the Catlins District, all year round and in all weathers.
This walk is suitable for all age groups and provides plenty of variety. It is easy walking, taking around 20 minutes return.
Horse and coach teams once forded the river below the present bridge and you will follow the same route to the beach.
Three kilometres out of Papatowai, a short gravel road leads to sweeping Tautuku Bay, which can be viewed from on high at the Florence Hill Lookout.
