Catlins

Introduction

The Catlins is a region on the southeastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a popular place to visit penguin territory. The Catlins is a beautiful, dramatic, underdeveloped coastline where you can find dolphins, sea lions, penguins, living and petrified forest, high cliffs and sandy beaches, lighthouses, shipwreck stories, friendly people, lots of sheep and cattle farms. If you want to take a bit more time and meet some locals then there are a number of wwoofing-type farms, cafés, etc where you will be treated as part of the family, in return for helping out.

Geography

Cities

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Weather

Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

The options for travel through The Catlins, other than your own vehicle, are the Bottom Bus and the Catlins Coaster, both owned by the same outfit. They give a great service in that they take you to the best spots for wildlife and scenery and they will also drop you where you want and pick you up on the next run through. The 'Stray' bus company passes through too. Their drivers are fun and well-informed.

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Eat

• Fortrose has 'Stirling Tides' looking over the estuary, indoors all in glowing wood.
• Tokanui has a bistro at the pub and fast food at the dairy.
• Waikawa has 'Blue Cod Blues' - a food caravan beside the museum.
• Curio Bay has a small camp shop.
• Niagara Falls cafe has a wonderful restaurant, definitely a destination, a place to linger.
• Mclean Falls has the 'Whistling Frog' cafe.
• Papatowai has a dairy with food.
• Owaka has the 'Lumberjack', good food and surroundings.

Drink

Sleep

As for accommodation, there is a range from backpackers to five star seclusion which is really great value and apart from January (the busiest month), there is usually a bed to find for passing visitors.