The Catlins

Catlins River walk

The Catlins River walk is one of the best-kept secrets around. It is absolutely beautiful and costs nothing except the fuel to get to Tawanui camping-group from where the five-hour walk starts. You really need a car at the other end The Wisp so that you don't have a ten-hour tramp!) Swap keys at the half-way point and meet back at Owaka. If you're lucky you might see a Mohua yellow-head a rare and beautiful little native bird. You will certainly see some tomtits which, clinging to tree-trunks look for all the world like black and white butterflies. The bed of the river in places is sheer rock which gives it a unique look. There are some scary wire bridges but no-one has fallen in off one as far as we know.

Purakanui Falls

The primeval forest leading to them is worth the trip alone.

In depth two day, three night small group eco-tours to see and learn about The Catlins rainforest and coast. Sub antarctic penguins and marine mammals are seen. Tours are fully catered in comfortable home-stay accommodation and home-cooked meals. Tours are personalised and guided by hosts Fergus and Mary Sutherland who have 20 years experience in hosting visitors to The Catlins and are well qualified with Masters degrees and conservation credentials.

Organised by the people of "Catlins Wildlife Trackers" this is a wonderful 26 km track through varying landscape of the Catlins, taking the hiker over beaches, farmland, hills and native bush. It is designed as a 2 day track, but can be done in one long 10 h day. One would miss out on one of the coolest things of the track however: the stay in the "top bus", which is an old Dunedin city bus that has been brought up a hill and gives a stunning vista and an excellent place to spend the night, given that is fully equiped. It even has an outdoor shower,heated by the sun.

McLean Falls

A beautiful nature's garden leads to the highest of the local waterfalls

Waipohatu Forest Walks -short and long

Close to the turnoff for the South Island's southernmost point Slope Point, Waipohatu offers a sheltered contrast to the wild coast. There are two walks, one of wheelchair standard, 1km, with diverse ferns, podocarps and broad-leaved trees; the other a three hour adventure to two hidden falls.