The Catlins – Guide for Backpackers

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Owaka

As the largest settlement in the Catlins, Owaka is a great place to make your base or take a break while visiting the Catlins.

As Owaka in Maori means ‘place of the canoe,’ it is only fitting to have a museum and information centre in the shape of a canoe.

Owaka has a couple of quirky attractions including Teapot World: a dedication to all things tea. If you are super lucky, you’ll find a coffee pot too… Don’t forget Dollyworld, which holds a huge display of dolls and stuffed toys.

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Kaka Point

The most northern part of the Catlins, Kaka Point is a small settlement with a cafe/bar and some accommodation. Take the 30min Kaka Point Bush Walk to see some native birds such as the tui. There is also a stretch of sandy beaches that are safe for swimming and surfing.

Kaka Point is also a good base for a trip to Nugget Point which is just 10 minutes down a scenic and winding road.

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Nugget Point

Down the road from Kaka Point is Nugget Point named for the pointed steep headland overlooking rocks sticking out of the sea resembling gold nuggets.

One of New Zealand’s oldest lighthouses sits on the edge of the headland, which is a quick walk from the road. This edge of New Zealand provides some stunning photographs and attracts plenty of wildlife too.

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Cathedral Caves

Named by Dr T.M. Hocken in 1896 for their resemblance to the cathedrals in Europe, the Catherdral Caves are a mix of tall (30m) pointed and arched caves that can be accessed at low tide. If you shout in the caves, you get cool reverberating sounds shouting back at you over and over again.

To get to the caves you need to access Waipati Beach on a private road (this requires a small entrance fee). Gates are only open to the access road during the low tide hours.

For more walks around the Catlins, check out the 10 Hikes in the Catlins and Clutha District.

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Curio Bay

Curio Bay is the home of a unique sight: a whole fossilised forest from the Jurassic era. It dates back to when New Zealand was part of the same landmass as Australia, Antarctica, Africa, India, Arabia and South America called Gondwanaland.

Tree stumps and trunks can easily be made out from the viewing platform at low tide.

Plus, keep an eye out for the extremely rare yellow-eyed penguins. You are most likely to see them at dawn and dusk. See 5 Tips for Watching Wildlife in the Catlins for advice.

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Waterfalls in The Catlins

The Catlins has some very photogenic waterfalls, the most popular of which is the Purakaunui Falls. The walk to the falls starts at the southern end of the Catlins River Bridge. The short trail takes you to a top viewing platform then a steep descent to the lower platform.

In the Table Hill Scenic Reserve is Matai Falls, accessed easily from the Southern Scenic Route 18km (11 miles) from Owaka. It is a marvellous sight to see the water spilling over mossy green rock and surrounded by native forest.

McLean Falls is made up of different components: a tall waterfall falling onto smaller shelves. They are located south of the Cathedral Caves. It is a 40min return walk to view the falls.

You can see some more falls here: 12 Most Wonderful Waterfalls in New Zealand.

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Wildlife in The Catlins

Looking out from Nugget Point, it is common to see gannets and yellow-eyed penguins. On the rocks below there is a large colony of New Zealand fur seals. Between December and February elephant seals also stop by at the nuggets.

Roaring Bay, a 10min drive from Kaka Point, is a place to see yellow-eyed penguins. Make sure you visit in the late afternoon or early morning for the best chance of seeing them.

Penguins can also be seen from late-afternoon at Curio Bay. Or a short walk from Curio Bay is Porpoise Bay which attracts Hector’s dolphins during summer.