10 Nature & Parks in The Catlins That You Shouldn't Miss

July 19, 2021 Velvet Mowry

Discover the best top things to do in The Catlins, New Zealand including Catlins Horse Riding, Cannibal Bay, Papatowai Beach, Purakaunui Falls Walk, McLean Falls Walk, McLean Falls, Kaka Point Beach, Cathedral Caves Walk, Teapot World, Lake Wilkie.
Restaurants in The Catlins

1. Catlins Horse Riding

41 Newhaven Road, Owaka 9585 New Zealand +64 3-415 8368 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Catlins-Horse-Riding-359987238775/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
Excellent
91%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 43 reviews

Catlins Horse Riding

Reviewed By MichelleA4784

We had an awesome 2-hour farm and beach ride! Cara matched us up well to her amazing good-natured horses. We had mixed riding abilities in our group of 4, and these were well catered to - those who wanted a slower steady pace were able to stay at a walk while the others of us had a good fast ride along the beach. It felt more like riding out with a group of friends than a trekking company ride. Such a beautiful area. Highly recommended, I'm sure we will be back.

2. Cannibal Bay

off Southern Scenic Highway 799 Cannibal Bay Road, Clutha District, Otago, Owaka 9271 New Zealand +64 3-415 8371 http://www.catlins.org.nz/index.php
Excellent
58%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 60 reviews

Cannibal Bay

Reviewed By RAFwherever

Fantastic walk from Cannibal Bay to Surat Bay. We were lucky and saw many and very large sea lions. Keep your distance!

3. Papatowai Beach

Papatowai Beach, Papatowai New Zealand
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Papatowai Beach

Reviewed By X8958YEpeterm - Invercargill, New Zealand

We visited Papatowai Beach on a rugged afternoon but that didn't takeaway from this fantastic place. Wild, rugged and a great place to visit.

4. Purakaunui Falls Walk

Purakaunui Falls Road, Catlins coastal area, Papatowai New Zealand +64 3-211 2400 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/7db61453b5d04c80afeb5eb63b227b2b.aspx
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 142 reviews

Purakaunui Falls Walk

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.

Reviewed By Weetbix7 - Wellington, New Zealand

These waterfalls are definitely worth the detour off the main road for. There is amble parking then a 10min walk into the falls. The path is wide and well maintained. There are glimpses of smaller versions of the falls as you walk along the path until you get to the main falls. Good view once you get there.

5. McLean Falls Walk

Rewcastle Road, Chaslands New Zealand +64 3-211 2400 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/5871c86af7f14de0be4493cb950cba9f.aspx
Excellent
64%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 45 reviews

McLean Falls Walk

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.

Reviewed By jimontour99 - Auckland Central, New Zealand

Well worth it, just 15-20 minutes each way. Nice forest easy gradient. Gravel road to get there, toilets at end.

6. McLean Falls

Rewcastle Road Tautuku River in Catlins Conservation Park, Papatowai 9586 New Zealand http://waterfalls.co.nz/waterfalls-by-region/90-new-zealand-waterfalls/south-island/southland/223-mclean-falls
Excellent
74%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

McLean Falls

Reviewed By chimayred - Durham, United States

A beautiful falls, easy to find the parking lot (which has a bathroom facility); about a 15-20 minute walk in, a bit strenuous toward the end. STairs are there but are dirt so they were very muddy. I’m not quite as stable as I used to be so I recommend a walking stick. BUt worth it. Really worth it. Much more attractive than the otherwise attractive Purakaunui falls....one of the nicer “small” falls I’ve seen.

7. Kaka Point Beach

Kaka Point 9271 New Zealand
Excellent
61%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Kaka Point Beach

Reviewed By Weetbix7 - Wellington, New Zealand

The perfect New Zealand summer beach experience. A large flat beach with golden sand. A surf life guard on duty. Lots of kids and waves. There were lots boogey boarding in wet suits. Easy parking by the surf life station.

8. Cathedral Caves Walk

Pratt Road, Catlins coastal area, Chaslands New Zealand +64 3-211 2400 [email protected] http://www.doc.govt.nz/link/3949c3d3dbba45c880ab8a6cde8f82ff.aspx
Excellent
50%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 164 reviews

Cathedral Caves Walk

Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.

Reviewed By GaryandLesleyTravel - Auckland Central, New Zealand

During our 5 day visit to the Catlins this was by far the most popular spot for travellers, that said it still wasn’t overly busy. You need to time the tides right to gain access to the caves as it must be low tide so access is available two hours before low tide and one hour after low tide when tides fall within daylight hours of 7.30am and 9.00pm. If you have time there are more caves a little further on. That said the main event remains the 199 metre u turn cave with 2 openings. While down on the coast take the time to view yet another beautiful beach. The climb up the hill (100 vertical metres over a 1.5km track) has a couple of steep spots. We viewed both sets of caves and were down and back in 75 minutes. The caves are closed and inaccessible over the winter months. Entry is $10 per adult and $2 per child. EFTPOS available.

9. Teapot World

Owaka New Zealand
Excellent
24%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 94 reviews

Teapot World

Reviewed By azzawebbnz - Auckland, New Zealand

We saw this driving along the main road in owaka. couldnt stop smiling at the quirkiness and of course got the picture. worth a quick look. they have a donation box

10. Lake Wilkie

Chaslands Hwy, Papatowai 9586 New Zealand http://southlandnz.com/the-catlins/natural-attraction/lake-wilkie
Excellent
29%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 28 reviews

Lake Wilkie

Reviewed By 921AliA

In the right conditions this is fantastic, beautiful short walk to the lake, best when rata are flowering in January, and still and sunny for clearest reflections,

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