Location - Where To Find Us

Activities At The Catlins - Eco-Tourism Destination

Kaka Point, gateway to The Catlins, is a seaside destination with patrolled beaches in summer. Long, white, sandy beaches provide an ideal base for relaxing or exploring The Catlins, where you can enjoy spectacular scenery, including the rocky outcrop at Nugget Point Lighthouse with its dramatic, sweeping views.

Experience local wildlife, such as yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), fur seals and hooker sea lions in their natural surroundings. Sea birds and native birds are scattered throughout the district. Bush walks, waterfalls, the Curio Bay Petrified Forest, Waipati Beach's Cathedral Caves, sea and ocean views, and fantastic sunrises all exist within our piece of paradise.

A Summary Of Local Activities

• View the sea lions at Surat Bay
• Walk along Cannibal Bay, a historic Maori site
• Wander down to the Kaka Point Township - a 1-minute walk to the restaurant
• Nugget Lighthouse Reserve - view the rocky rugged outcrops
• Surfing - world-famous waves
• Bowling Green - a 5-minute walk from Nugget View and Kaka Point Motels
• Tunnel Hill Rail Tunnel - bring or hire a torch
• The Owaka Township - shops, museum, information centre
• Pounawea Township - playground and self-guided nature walks
• Saltmarsh and Forest - at Pounawea
• Jacks Bay - beach and walkway to the Blow Hole
• Catlins River Walk - up to 5 hours long, you can freedom walk or be dropped off and picked up at the other end
• Purakaunui Falls - a 10-minute walk with 2 lookouts
• Lake Wilkie - picturesque, beautiful, still, only a 10-minute walk
• Matai Falls - a 40-minute return walk
• Horseshoe Falls - through the beautiful Catlins Forest
• Papatowai Township - abundant walking tracks
• Tawanui - beech forest, trout fishing
• Florence Hill Lookout - look over the beautiful Tautuku Beach
• Tautuku Estuary Boardwalk - fern bird habitat
• Cathedral Caves - a natural wonder
• MacLean Falls - forest walking in The Catlins, surrounded by birds
• Niagara Falls - seeing is believing
• Waikawa Township - museum and information centre
• Curio Bay - a great place to see Hector's Dolphins
• Petrified Forest from the Jurassic Age - at Curio Bay
• Slope Point - the southernmost point of the South Island
• Waipapa Point - historic lighthouse
• Penguin Hide - at Roaring Bay, with a 10-minute walk to view hoiho penguins from a hide
• Seal Colony - fur seals at Nugget Point Lighthouse, 15-minute drive
• Guided Bush Walks - view beech forest, podocarp, rata, totara and wildlife
• Bush walks - numerous throughout The Catlins
• River Walks - at Tawanui
• Port Molyneux - historical site
• Individual Walks - maps, directions and assistance available
• Two-Day Walks - amongst wildlife with spectacular views
• Mountain Biking - variety of off-track terrain
• Natural Surroundings - relaxing beach walks, river walks and native bush walks
• Tramping - for all levels of fitness
• Sea Fishing - around the rugged Catlins coastline
• Yachting - at Jacks Bay/boat club
• Easter Fishing Competition - throughout the district
• Porpoise Bay - view Hector's Dolphins
• Chaslands Mistake - shipwreck area
• Purakaunui Bay - attractive beach
• Catlins Lake - picnic spots
• Tautuku Bay - a 15-minute forest walk, Outdoor Education Centre
• Hayward Point, Owaka Heads - historically a busy timber port
• Nugget Point Lighthouse - built in 1869
• Tennis Court - a 5-minute walk from Nugget View and Kaka Point Motel
• Awakiki Bush Scenic Reserve - small totara forest