6 epic things to do in the Catlins on a New Zealand road trip

6 epic things to do in the Catlins on a New Zealand road trip

Looking for ideas for things to do in the Catlins? You are at the right place. From epic waterfalls to spotting some of the world's rarest wildlife, The Catlins is a must-see adventure destination in New Zealand's South Island.

Although the Catlins weren't high on my personal list of places to visit in New Zealand, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how incredible this region is. After a last-minute spontaneous decision, we packed up our camper in Queenstown and set off to explore the east coast.

From hikes, waterfalls and wildlife, we certainly found no shortage of things to do and see in the Catlins.

Catlin's itinerary map

Here's a map view of all the Catlins route points on this list to help you plan your road trip!

2 unmissable Catlins tours

The Catlins are a relatively unexplored region compared to adventure mega-centres like Queenstown. Therefore, you may not find as many tours in the region. But below I have listed two great tours that you should definitely check out!

• Seekajak-Tour zum Nugget Point Lighthouse – sehen Sie den fantastischen Nugget Point Lighthouse vom Wasser aus und entdecken Sie einzigartige Wildtiere wie Albatrosse, Seelöwen, Pinguine, Pelzrobben, Kormorane und Delfine.
• Sunrise Kayak Tour – lieber früh aufstehen? Schauen Sie sich diese alternative Kajaktour für ein unvergessliches Sonnenaufgangserlebnis an.

alt="Kayaking in the Catlins">

6 epic things to do in the Catlins

Unfortunately I didn't have enough time in the Catlins. Knowing this, I wanted to pack all of these things into a quick 3 day itinerary. In hindsight, I should have spent at least a week making the most of this beautiful region.

Regardless, here is a list of my favorite adventures in the Catlins. Remember, if you have any other suggestions for activities or things to do for other travelers, leave a comment below.

1. Hunt the amazing Catlins waterfalls

The Catlins are all about waterfalls. And it's no wonder why... Surrounded by many protected, native forests and dozens, if not hundreds, of freshwater rivers and streams, epic waterfalls are a given!

Here are three of my favorite waterfalls. However, you can also find a more comprehensive Catlins waterfalls guide here.

Purakaunui Falls

Known as New Zealand's most photographed waterfall, Purakaunui Falls is a must-see on your Catlins road trip.

This is located near Papatowai and is easily accessible via a tarmac road just a few minutes from the motorway.
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McLean Falls

Next up is McLean Falls. This is another popular waterfall on the South Island, which is also one of the tallest I've found in the Catlins.

While you cannot swim at the main waterfall, there are numerous freshwater swimming spots along the river along the path to the waterfall.

The short walk to McLean Falls is also refreshing and gives you a good insight into the South Island's natural forest terrain.
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Matai and Horseshoe Falls

A quick stop at Matai Falls and Horseshoe Falls, just off the highway between Papatowai and Owaka, offers two epic forest waterfalls within walking distance of each other.

If you're in the mood for a quick but worthwhile stop, these two waterfalls are a good choice. The route to both is scenic but very easy. You can reach the upper waterfall within 10 minutes of leaving the parking lot!
alt=“MATAI FALLS NEW ZEALAND”>

2. See the world's rarest penguin at Curio Bay

The Catlins isn't just about hikes and waterfalls! One of the most popular things to do in the Catlins is visiting Curio Bay.

Here you can catch a glimpse of the world's rarest penguins every evening; the yellow-eyed penguin or the hoiho.

While these penguins are extremely protected under New Zealand's conservation law, the DOC has set up safe viewing points where you can catch a glimpse of the adult penguins returning to the nest each night.

The best time to see the Hoiho, depending on the time of year, is between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at sunset.
alt="YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN IN CURIO BAY IN THE CATLINS">

Related: Epic Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand

3. Waipohatu Forest Loop – Epic Catlins hike

One of my favorite walks in the Catlins, the Waipohatu Forest Loop is a must for anyone stopping near Curio Bay.

This day hike is a waterfall loop that takes approximately 2-3 hours. If you have some time to kill before going penguin watching, I highly recommend this hike.
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4. Visit the Cathedral Caves

The Cathedral Caves are a huge 200m long sea-sculpted coastal cave passage that is only accessible at low tide.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to visit the Cathedral Caves during my trip to the Catlins. However, after being told more about it, I really wish I had planned to visit during low tide.

For a complete guide to the Cathedral Caves, check out this blog.

5. Check out Lake Wilkie

Another short but worthwhile pit stop on the Chaslands Highway is Lake Wilkie.

The route is again short but relatively easy and leads to the edge of the lake where you can take some great reflective photos.
alt=“LAKE WILKIE TRACK IN THE CATLINS”>

6. The incredible Papatowai

The Papatowai coast offers some pretty scenic views of the east coast of New Zealand.

Highlights for worthwhile stops include the Florence Hill Lookout, where you can watch the waves crash on Papatowai Beach.
alt="PAPATOWAI VIEWPOINT CATLINS">

Where to Stay in The Catlins: Accommodation Guide

Below are my top 3 recommendations for accommodation in the Catlins.

• Bestes Hostel / Dorm Lodge: Lazy Dolphin Lodge – Diese Lodge ist eine der wenigen Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten für Rucksacktouristen und preisbewusste Reisende in der Nähe von Curio Bay und bietet Zugang zum Strand und unbegrenztes WLAN. Die Gäste scheinen ziemlich begeistert von der Aussicht und dem Gemeinschaftsbereich zu sein. Eine gute Unterkunft, wenn Sie die seltenen Gelbaugenpinguine sehen möchten.
• Rucksacktouristen in Owaka: Surat Bay Lodge Eine weitere günstige Option für Rucksacktouristen, aber diesmal näher an Owaka. Die Surat Bay Lodge ist eine der beliebtesten Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten in den Catlins, mit Zugang zum Strand und einem großen Garten zum Entspannen.
• Hilltop Lodge: Hilltop Accommodation CatlinsDiese Lodge liegt in der Nähe von Papatowai und ist eine der am besten bewerteten Lodges in den Catlins. Dieses historische Gebäude liegt direkt neben einheimischen Wäldern und ist ein perfekter Rückzugsort für zwei Personen in Catlins.

RELATED GUIDE: 9 EPIC THINGS IN ARTHUR'S PASS

Are the Catlins worth visiting?

This is a question that I initially thought about too. Having heard little about the east coast of the South Island, I wondered whether I should stay in the Fjordlands or head to the Catlins.

Based on my experience, I can highly recommend visiting the Catlins. If you've read other articles on this blog, you know we're all about adventure travel. For those of you who prefer hikes, waterfalls, wildlife and epic coastal drives and even great pubs then the Catlins is for you.

Catlin's campsites and guides

Free DOC Campground: Weir Beach ReserveThis campground is the only free campground for campers in the Catlins. It is essentially a large grassy paddock with amenities such as a toilet and sink with non-potable fresh water. Just beware of the sand flies.

Purakaunui Bay CampsiteThis is a good place to stay if you want to visit some of the nearby waterfalls. This campsite is another DoC (paid) campsite with basic amenities.

Papatowai Campsite This is another paid campsite in the forest clearing near the beach.

Holiday park: Curio Bay Holiday ParkIf you'd rather pitch your motorhome or pitch a tent and have access to a few more facilities then this is a good choice, especially if you've been craving a warm shower. The fee for an unpowered site is $20 for 2 people, while a powered site is $30 for 2 people.

Tip: Remember to download useful apps such as Campermate, Spaceships App and WikiCamps NZ to help you find the best campsites.

Beyond the Catlins: More things to do in New Zealand

I hope this article on things to do in the Catlins has given you enough inspiration to visit this coastal gem! If you're looking for more free New Zealand travel guides, be sure to check out some of the links below.

MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT

• Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
• Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
• Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
• Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
• Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
• Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
• Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip

For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.

If you would like to use any of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my Print Store or contact me directly for customs deductions of images on We Seek Travel.
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