Fortrose - (45km from Invercargill) situated at the mouth of the Mataura river; also starting point for the Heritage Trail to Niagara; 19th Century whaling station. Named by a Scottish drover who thought the place to be similar to Fortrose in Scotland. Campsite, petrol, boating and fishing. 

Fortrose Cemetery is the earliest European cemetery in South Catlins. It contains a headstone commemorating the lives lost on the SS Tararua on Waipapa Reef.

Waipapa Point - golden beaches, sand dunes and rock platform; site of New Zealand's worst civilian shipping disaster in 1881 - 131 lives lost with the wrecking of SS Tararua. A wooden lighthouse was subsequently built and still remains operative (automated in 1976). Some of the victims were buried in the nearby graveyard.

Tokanui - Main centre of the South Catlins region. Medical centre, shops, restaurant, tavern, petrol and waste dump station. 

Waipohatu Recreation Area - contains an easily accessible walking track and picnic area on conservation land (30 minutes return), on the edge of the native Waikawa forest. Maori believed there were mythical beings here, 'wild men of the forest' (maeroero). Podocarp forest noted for its ferns and logging remnants.

Slope Point - Southern-most point of the South Island, 7km further south than Bluff, windswept trees, shop. Stewart Island and Bluff can be seen on a clear day. Access closed during lambing season (September - October). 

Curio Bay - One of the world's most extensive and least disturbed examples of a Jurassic fossilised forest. Site of one of the geological wonders of the world. The sub tropical forest of kauri like trees were buried in a volcanic eruption that covered the forest in ash. Buried under more rock, it later sunk beneath the oceans; on reappearing the petrified forest was revealed. Stumps and logs dating from the Jurassic age 180 million years ago are clearly defined in the tidal platform; best viewed at low tide. 

Niagara Falls - named after the huge falls in North America, these must be the smallest falls you will see! The falls were the endpoint of a river highway as they could not be crossed by boat. Maori called the falls Mangai Piri, which refers to the way lamprey eels (Kana kana) wriggle up the falls using suckers to hang onto the rocks. This is a seasonal event; the eels migrate upstream to breed.

Porpoise Bay - Home to the rare Hector's dolphin with their distinctive black and white markings. They are only found off the coast of New Zealand and total numbers are calculated as being under four thousand. Porpoise Bay is also a safe swimming spot and the dolphins may even come up to you!

Waikawa - Originally established as a whaling station, followed by gold exploration and latterly a timber milling area. The museum, originally Waikawa school, has an extensive collection covering the local history. Dolphin Information Centre, camp site, fishing and boating. 

McLean Falls - 40 minutes return forest walk featuring tree ferns leading to a dramatically spectacular waterfall falling over 20 metres into a deep gorge.  (Travel 6km up Rewcastle Road.)  Holiday park, cafe & bar.

Cathedral Caves - 20 minute bush and beach walk to spectacularly impressive caves which rise up over 30 metres (accessible only at low tide). As access is across private Maori land there is a nominal toll fee for access to this attraction; 80 minutes return.

Traills Tractor Historic Walk - This 10 minute walk, rich in early Catlins timber milling history, travels to Cook's old mill site and a restored 'Traills Tractor' logging machine.  The walk starts from Fleming River Bridge.

Tautuku Estuary Boardwalk - A peaceful walk out onto a pristine estuary.  Look out for the rare fernbird. 30 minutes return.

Lake Wilkie - This walk shows the amazing succession of forest development from lake edge to mature forest. Flowering rata are splendid during summer. 40 minutes return. 

Picnic Point - Bush and a sandy coastline with rock pools provide variety on this easy walk.  Suitable for all age groups. 40 minutes return.

Papatowai - (45km from Waikawa) situated on the South bank of the Tahakopa estuary, offers a wealth of bush and beach walks. Early Maori camp site, Fishing, shop, camping ground and waste dump station, fuel.  Also in close proximity are Lenze Reserve, Tautuku and Tahakopa Bays and Matai Falls.

Old Coach Track / Tahakopa Loop Track (Papatowai) - Coastal podocarp forest fringing a sandy bay.  Walk along the Old Coach Road to a moa hunter camp at the river mouth. 40 minutes return.  There is also a 2-3 hour (return) tramp through this significant reserve.

Matai Falls - Through regenerating podocarp / broadleaf forest, beautiful Matai Falls are best viewed late in the morning. 30 minutes return.

Purakanui Bay is a remote camping spot, suitable for picnicking, near a native bush reserve and Purakanui River, which is safe for swimming.

Purakaunui Falls - (11km from Papatowai)  Walk through native beech and podocarp forest from a picnic area to view the Catlins best known waterfall. The river cascades 20 meters over 3 tiers offering a spectacular sight. 20 minutes return.

Catlins River Walk - Tramp between Tawanui camping area to Franks Creek, Wallis Stream and onto the Wisp roadend, through beautiful beech forest.  Views of exotic pine plantations, silver beech forest and grassed flats.  Look out for the rare mohua (yellowhead) high in the trees. 5 hours (one way).

Jack's Blowhole - Farm track leads to deep blow hole on the cliffs.  Access closed during lambing (September - October). 60 minutes return.

Owaka - (17km from Purakaunui Falls) The main town of the Catlins was originally settled in the 1860s by timber millers and then followed by farmers as the bush was progressively cleared.  Today Owaka comprises an information centre, museum, fishing, shops, restaurants, accommodation, tavern and petrol. An ideal location to spend some time exploring the nearby points of interest, Jacks Blowhole, Pounawea, Hayward Point, Surat and Cannibal Bay, Catlins Lake and Tunnel Hill. 

Discover Destination Catlins - Information Centre and Museum
5 Ryley Street, Owaka, The Catlins

Pounawea Nature Walk - An easy walk through virgin podocarp forest and return at low tide via the salt marsh.

Cannibal Bay / Surat Bay - Wonderful place to look out for New Zealand (Hooker) sea lions.  The sailing vessel Surat was wrecked on this coast in 1874.

Tunnel Hill - Easy walk to railway tunnel, excavated by hand between 1891-92.  20 minutes return.

Kaka Point - A sizeable holiday town - excellent surfing beach; fishing, forest and beach walks, accommodation. The Kaka Point bush walk is an easy 30 minute (return) walk that allows you to feel as if you are in a remote area of bush. You will see many vegetation types, such as ferns, perching plants and podocarp species.  The bush walk boasts good tracks providing easy access into this coastal remnant forest.

Nugget Point / Tokata - (8km from Kaka Point) possibly the Catlins most well known sight. An easy walking path leads to a stone lighthouse built in 1869. Spectacular coastal views. A reserve managed by the Department of Conservation, New Zealand. Binoculars are essential to view the wildlife on the rocks close up and a camera is also recommended to take a souvenir of the fantastic, rugged landscape. The exposed site contains many hardy plant species usually found in alpine regions. A unique blend of wildlife can be seen here, including sooty shearwaters, spotted shags, red-billed gulls and southern blue penguins. It is also the only place in New Zealand where New Zealand fur seals (kekeno), Southern elephant seals (lhupuku), New Zealand (Hooker) sea lions (rapoka), sooty shearwaters (titi), the rare yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho) and many other seabird species coexist. Yellow-eyed penguins can also be seen nearby at Roaring Bay, at dawn or late afternoon.  20 minutes return.

Balclutha - (30km from both Nugget Point and Owaka) Exit/Entry point to the Catlins. Balclutha is situated on the banks of the Clutha River (New Zealand's largest river by volume) on SH1. Shops, accommodation, information centre, museum, trout and salmon fishing. 

Balclutha - Invercargill via The Catlins 185km. Free camping is not permitted in The Catlins however there is a variety of accommodation available throughout the region - Motels, Camping Grounds, Backpackers, Homestays and Farmstays - refer A to Z directory

The Catlins Care Code

Wildlife
- Penguins are shy and easily stressed - stay out of sight.
- Sealions and seals need space - stay at least 12m away.
- Protect nature; do not remove plants, animals or fossils.
- Control dogs - they can kill penguins and threaten seals.
- Best viewing sites: Nuggets, Cannibal, Surat, Curio Bay, Waipapa.

Camping - Picnicking
- Use the camping grounds - they have toilets and waste disposal.
- When camping, observe signs and leave areas as you found them.
- Fires can destroy the bush - light no fires without a permit.
- Rubbish is a hazard to health and wildlife - take it away.

Driving
- For the enjoyment and safety of others, limit vehicle use on beaches.
- Farm animals on roads: stay in your vehicles and drive through slowly.
- Keep left, respect others, pass stationary school buses at 20kmh.
- Reduce speed when driving on unsealed roads.

Waste Disposal
- Avoid polluting the environment; main settlements have toilets.
- Campervan waste disposal at the Tokanui shop and Woodstock camp.
- Rubbish disposal at Papatowai or inquire at information centres.
- Recycling at Tokanui.

Note: There is minimal cellphone coverage in much of the Catlins.
         Public phones are located at Owaka, Papatowai and Tokanui.

Leave nothing but footprints
Take nothing but memories