Scenic Attractions

Curio Bay

Curio bay and Porpoise bay are around one hours drive south from The Split Level accommodation in Owaka. The Curio bay fossilized forest is a must see as part of anybodys stay in The Catlins, of international significance the fossilized forest dates back to the Jurassic period. The tree fossils you see here are 180 million years old and the forest was alive when New Zealand was part of Gondwanaland.

Curio bay’s fossil forest is just a short walk from the Curio bay car park and is best viewed at low tide. You can check low tide times here. NOTE that although these tide times are for cathedral caves they are still reasonably accurate for curio bay which is only a short distance south.

A short walk from Curio bay leads to Porpoise bay where you may also see Hector’s dolphins playing in the surf or rare Yellow-eye penguins coming ashore after a day at sea. Please be sure to read the Department of Conservation information on any protected wildlife.

Cathedral Caves

Cathedral caves are situated just off the Southern Scenic Route, ten minuets drive south of the small coastal town of Papatowai. The caves are at the northern end of Waipati beach while at the south end of Waipati beach is Chaslands Head, the site of the historic Catlins shipwreck of The SS Otago.

From the car park at the end of the 2km access road (an old logging road) there is a pleasant 20 minute walk through natural podocarp and kamahi forest, over a metalled track leading down to a 10 minute walk along Waipati beach. The access gate to Cathedral caves is opened and closed approximately 2 hours before and after low tide depending on daily sea conditions. Check tide times here.

Note: Access is not available before 7.30 am or after 8.30pm and in the event of either unsafe access or tidal conditions the access gate will remain closed in the interest of public safety.

Purakaunui Falls

Purakaunui falls are an iconic image for southeastern New Zealand. Located just 17kms south of Owaka in the Purakaunui Falls Scenic Reserve. The walk is roughley ten minuest one way through impressive podocarp and beech forest. The falls have a 20 metre drop and cascade over 3 tiers. 

The track is very easy going untill the first viewing platform. It is then a fairly steep but short climb downwards to the lower platform which gives an amazing view of the falls framed by native forest. This makes for stunning photographic opportunities. You will find that not only are the Purakaunui Falls in most books about the Catlins, but they have also featured on a New Zealand postage stamp and on many calendars.

Nugget Point

Nugget Point is one of the most iconic landforms on the Otago coast. Located at the northern end of the Catlins coast down the road from Kaka Point, this steep headland has a lighthouse at its tip, surrounded by rocky islets (The Nuggets). The point is home to many seabirds, including penguins, gannets and spoonbills, and a large breeding colony of fur seals.

Nugget Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse is also situated at Nugget Point and is currently owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand.

The light was built in 1870 and was originally fueled by oil. In 1949 the oil lamp was replaced with an electric one powered by a local diesel generator. This was subsequently replaced by a connection to the mains grid although the original lens for the light is still in place and used to this day. The light was fully automated in 1989 and is now managed from a control room in Wellington.