The Catlins

Signposted from the Waipapa Point Lighthouse Road, the walk is across private property (closed during the lambing season September/October). The ‘Tararua Acre’ is where many of the victims of the SS Tararua shipwreck are buried.

15 min return

The most southerly point on the South Island, Slope Point is a marked route across private farmland giving good views of Stewart Island/Rakiura, Bluff and the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. The cliff tops are dangerous, so please take extra care.

20 min return

Maori legend has it that large hairy giants called Maeroero inhabited these valleys of bush. The track follows the Waipohatu Stream and passes beneath a section of virgin coastal forest notable for its variety of ferns. A track, opposite the toilets, from the main carpark leads to an old Fordson tractor log hauler.

1 hr return

The Waikawa Museum has numerous displays relating to the early settlers and their industries of this once bustling port town. Short walk options include the Old Coach Road (20 minutes return, only passable at low tide) and the George Aitken Walk (20 minutes return).

Niagara Falls was named by a surveyor with an obvious sense of humour! A special site called a nohoanga is situated on part of the Waikawa River nearby, signifying its importance for gathering traditional food for Kai Tahu whanau.

The track takes you through a mixture of forest types, from divaricating shrubland, to huge tree fuchsia/kotukutuku, olearia and podocarp hardwood forest, to spectacular waterfalls.

40 min return

Managed by the Tautuku Blk X Sec 3C Trust (landowners of Kai Tahu descent). A small entry fee is charged for maintaining the private road entrance and facilities. The caves may only be visited at low tide. From May to October access is limited to some weekends and school holidays. The walk takes you down through podocarp/kamahi forest to Waipati Beach and the 30m high caves.

50 min return

A Forest and Bird Society reserve that is open to the public. There is a 5 min walk to an interpretive display of an old Trail bush tractor. For information on other walking tracks and accommodation contact the Tautuku Forest Cabins’ caretaker. Ph (03) 415 8024.

This partly boardwalked track heads through podocarp forest to estuary flats, home to a population of fernbirds/mata who are often heard but seldom seen.

30 min return

A unique forest sequence is explained through a series of interpretation panels. Suitable for wheelchairs to the top viewing point.

30 min return

Walk from opposite the Outdoor Education Centre on the main Chaslands Highway, or drive to the beach picnic area via the narrow gravel Tautuku Beach road. The beach is suitable for 4WD only.

15 min return to the beach

This is a great place to stop and enjoy the spectacular views of Tautuku Bay and Peninsula to the south; and Tahakopa Bay and Long Point to the north.

Popular walks in the Papatowai Scenic Reserve are suitable for all age groups. You may encounter penguins, sea lions/pakake and oystercatchers/torea on the beach. The Kings Rock Track and Picnic Point Track (wheelchair grade) areas start from Cross Street. Other short walks around the beach and estuary can be accessed via the picnic ground on the foreshore.

40 min to 1hr return

Starting at the carpark at the north end of the Tahakopa River bridge, the track follows the old coach route from Tahakopa Beach through the southernmost stand of silver beech/tawhai, tree ferns/katote to a young totara stand which marks an historic moa-hunter campsite. The Tahakopa Bay Loop Track takes you through the heart of the reserve, including the dune forest, the beach and the Old Coach Road.

Return to beach from Old Coach road 40 min Return on the Tahakopa Bay Loop Track 3 hr

Walk to the waterfalls through the regenerating podocarp/broadleaf forest of Table Hill Scenic Reserve.

30 min return

A true icon of the Catlins, this is one of New Zealand’s most photographed waterfalls, gracing many calendars, postcards and book covers. The track is suitable for wheelchair users to the top viewing point.

20 min return

The walk follows the Catlins River from Tawanui to The Wisp in sections. The forestry road access is suitable for 4WD vehicles only. From the Tawanui camping and picnic area you cross the Catlins River four times on swing bridges. Listen out for the endangered bush canary, the mohua/yellowhead. Like many native species, they are threatened by predators – please do not tamper with pest traps or tunnels.

Tawanui to Franks Creek 2.5 hr Wallis Stream to The Wisp 1 hr Franks Creek to Wallis Stream 1.5 hr

Named after the Maori chief Tuhawaiki (known to European settlers as Bloody Jack). The blowhole is 55m deep and 200m from the sea. It formed when the roof section of a large subterranean cavern, eroded by the sea, caved in. Access is across private property so please use the track and stiles provided. Please do not disturb stock.

1 hr return

Ecologically important because of its rare vegetation, the longer walk offers virgin podocarp forest, rich in birdlife, and returns via a saltmarsh and estuary where wading birds can be seen. Each year godwits return from northern Asia to the sand spit near the mouth of the estuary. The saltmarsh area is accessible only at low tide.

15 min or 45 min return walk

At low tide walk from New Haven along the beach to Surat Bay (named after the ship, Surat, that wrecked on New Years Day 1874) and onto False Islet. A track cuts across the sandhills to Cannibal Bay, where remains of a forest buried by blown sand and evidence of moa-hunter living areas can be found. If the tide is not suitable access is from Cannibal Bay.

2 hr return

An easy walk to a 250m long railway tunnel, excavated by hand in 1891–92 and lined with locally-made bricks. Take a torch to explore the tunnel and please stay within the reserve boundaries.

20 min return

This 47 ha reserve is a breeding place for many native animals and birds including fur seals/kekeno and yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho. These penguins are best seen from the Roaring Bay hide as they return from the sea in the evening. They nest in scrub covered areas of the headland.

10 min return

A path leads to the lighthouse where, far below, fur seals, elephant seals, sea lions, yellow-eyed penguins and sooty shearwaters may be seen. Binoculars recommended.

20 min return

Access is signposted from the top of Marine Terrace. Another access track (5 min) links into the loop track from Rata Street.

30 min return

By using the foot access through a neighbouring farm and following a short loop walk, an outstanding example of lowland totara forest can be explored. Awakiki Reserve is signposted south of Telford Rural Polytechnic.

40 min return