Catlins Coast

A slow drive through the Catlins: waterfalls, lighthouses and wildlife.

Distance
200 km
Driving
4 hours
Take
3 days
Route
Balclutha to Waipapa Point
Plan this trip for your car

The Catlins has Purakaunui Falls, Nugget Point Lighthouse, Cathedral Caves (tide dependent), Slope Point and Curio Bay with its petrified forest.

The stops

  1. Start

    Balclutha

  2. Lighthouse

    Nugget Point

    Headland lighthouse

  3. Waterfall

    Purakaunui Falls

    Easy walk

  4. Landmark

    Cathedral Caves

    Reached via a private access road with a small fee; open only around low tide and in the warmer months

  5. Nature

    Curio Bay

    Fossil forest

  6. Finish

    Waipapa Point

Where to stay

  • Night 1

    Owaka

    Pounawea Motor Camp

When to go
Oct–Apr
On the road
Gravel side roads; tide times for caves.

Take the trip with you

Roadtrip finds the cheapest fuel on the way, warns you about tolls and cameras, and splits the cost with everyone in the car.

Plan a trip on the web
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The Roadtrip app showing a drive into London that costs £4.81 each, with fuel prices along the way