The beautiful and wild Catlins is one of my favorite parts of New Zealand. That’s because it’s typically tourist-free and is home to some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery on the South Island, like Purakaunui Falls and Cathedral Caves.
We spent 3 full days exploring this rugged and remote region, and below, I’ve detailed all of my must-see spots in the Catlins.
Is it worth going to The Catlins?
We have absolutely no regrets about visiting The Catlins – in fact, it turned out to be one of our favorite places on the South Island. It’s home to epic waterfalls, unique wildlife (sea lions and the rare yellow-eyed penguins), and gorgeous beaches. But, above all, it’s off-the-beaten-path, so you won’t have to compete with the same crowds that you would at nearby spots like Queenstown or Milford Sound.
How long to spend in The Catlins?
We recommend spending 3 nights in The Catlins. This way, you’ll get to tick off all the sights I’ve listed below.
What to see in The Catlins?
Nugget Point Lighthouse
- How long to spend here: 1-2 hours
Nugget Point Lighthouse is one of my favorite places in The Catlins as it’s so photogenic. It’s one of the most recognizable lighthouses in New Zealand.
The lighthouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged coastline, dotted with rocky islets known as “The Nuggets,” which gave the area its name. Built in 1869, this historic lighthouse has guided countless ships safely through the perilous waters of the South Pacific Ocean.
And the surrounding area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering the chance to spot fur seals, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds, including the rare yellow-eyed penguin.
Purakaunui Falls
- How long to spend here: 1 hour
The three-tiered Purakaunui Falls is a cascading waterfall that is certainly a ‘sight for sore eyes’ as the saying goes. And it actually looks its most impressive after a heavy rainfall, which is when we visited.
From the car park, it’s an easy 20-minute walk to the viewing platform for the falls. The track is flat and wide and is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Cathedral Caves
- How long to spend here: 1-2 hours (be sure to get here at low tide)
Cathedral Caves is a gorgeous, hidden beach that’s accessible via a 20-minute-long native forest trail. The selling point of this beach is the sea caves, which are only accessible at low tide, so be sure to check the tide times beforehand. FYI, they do have the tide times displayed at the entrance to the car park.
I felt at peace here, maybe that’s because the Cathedral Caves are a sacred place to Maoris.
You will need to pay a $10 NZD entrance fee payable at the gate and this is per car not per person.
Curio Bay
- How long to spend here: 1-2 hours (be sure to grab a snack at the Cafe here)
Curio Bay is renowned for its 170-million-year-old petrified forest, where you can walk among the fossilized remnants of ancient trees that have been preserved in stone.
Curio Bay is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to the rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguins, or hoiho, which can often be seen nesting along the coast. And if you’re lucky, you may even spy dolphins and fur seals in the ocean here.
There’s a great Cafe here and a campsite (which is one of our recommended places to stay in the area).
McLean Falls
- How long to spend here: 1 hour
The stunning McLean Falls, one of the tallest on the South Island, cascades down a series of steep, moss-covered rocks and plunges approximately 22 meters. You can get to it via a scenic walking track, and it’s a short, fairly easy hike through lush native bush.
The walk was a fairly mesmerising experience, with the sounds of native birds and the tranquil ambiance of the forest creating an overwhelming sense of calm.
These falls are part of the Tautuku River and are especially impressive after a rainfall.
Slope Point
- How long to spend here: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand, and this spot is renowned for its dramatic and windswept landscapes.
Yep, the unique environment here is shaped by fierce Antarctic winds that have sculpted the trees into striking, horizontal forms. As a result, Slope Point has a distinctive and otherworldly appearance.
Slope Point is accessible via a short walk through private farmland, and you’ll spot a signpost marking its spot. This signpost shows the distance to the Equator and the South Pole, highlighting your position at the edge of the world.
Koropoku Falls
- How long to spend here: 30 minutes – 1 hour
These falls are a bit of a hidden gem and are accessible via a short, scenic walk through native bush. The waterfall itself cascades gracefully over moss-covered rocks into a clear pool below, creating a really picturesque setting.
Lake Wilkie
- How long to spend here: 1 hour
This small, picturesque lake surrounded by lush native forest was, interestingly, formed by ancient sand dunes!
Lake Wilkie is known for its reflective waters, which beautifully mirror the surrounding forest and sky, especially on calm days. A well-maintained boardwalk and walking trail will lead you through the forest to the lake, and along the way, you can listen to the melodic chirping of the native birds.
There was nobody else around when we visited in the morning, and I loved that!
Matai Falls
- How long to spend here: 30 minutes – 1 hour
As you make your way along the well-maintained walking track, you’ll be surrounded by native bush, including mighty rimu and kahikatea trees (home to a variety of birdlife). The trail is accessible and suitable for most fitness levels, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
At the end of the short walk, Matai Falls greets you with its gentle cascade of water. It’s quite a peaceful waterfall, if that makes sense!
Niagara Falls
- How long to spend here: 1 hour (grab some food at the Niagara Falls Cafe nearby)
Named by a surveyor with a sense of humor, these small-ish falls are nothing like their famous namesake in North America. They are easily accessible, though, and quite scenic.
🗺️ Map of our suggested stops in The Catlins:
Where to stay in The Catlins
We recommend staying at the campsite at Curio Bay or at the Whistling Frog Resort near Cathedral Caves. This popular spot has camp sites and rooms which are set within small bungalows. There’s a bar and restaurant on-site, too.
You can also check available hotels on this map below –
Restaurants/ Cafes in The Catlins
Popular spots include the Niagara Falls Café, known for its delightful homemade meals and proximity to Niagara Falls. A unique spot – The Lost Gypsy Gallery and Café offers not only delicious coffee and snacks but also an intriguing collection of whimsical art. And The Whistling Frog near Cathedral Bay is another great spot.
Getting to The Catlins
The closest city to The Catlins is Invercargill, which is around an hour’s drive away. We drove here from Queenstown, which is a 3-hour drive away.
There is no public bus to The Catlins, so you will need to either drive or book a guided tour – most guided tours to here start in Invercargill or Dunedin.
Renting a Car in New Zealand
For The Catlins, we really recommend hiring a rental car as there is no public transport to here! Now, there are some private shuttle bus services that operate here, but their offerings are limited. Luckily, driving here is fairly straightforward – there are no big motorways, just single-lane highways, and it’s considered a safe place to drive.
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent directly with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide to renting a car in New Zealand!
Thanks for Reading!
As I said, the remote Catlins is one of my favorite spots in New Zealand. We had an amazingly chilled-out time here and can’t wait to return soon.
You may also enjoy reading –
The Best Queenstown in Winter Itinerary (Written By a Local!)
15 Best Queenstown Family Activities
Road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook (10 Best Stops)
Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by snaphappytravel