The Catlins travel guide: things to do & see, where to go

This adventure requires a road trip where you backtrack to connect with the access road to Cannibal Bay. It is a 15 minute detour on a gravel road to the small car park. The beach is rugged, barren and a favourite haunt for New Zealand sea lions. Your treat is the sheer rough splendour of sea lions coated in sand making it easy to miss a close by sea lion. Cannibal Bay’s access is on a side gravel road. The white sand and blue/green water is another picture perfect bay.

For walking enthusiasts at the far end of Cannibal Bay is the track leading to Surat Bay over the sand dunes. Cannibal Bay is a well known surfing beach. Expect to see hardy wetsuit clad surfers at home in the elements. Remember to keep at least 20 metres from any wildlife and never get between a seal and the water. Sea Lions haul themselves in the sand dunes lazing and sleeping in the sand dunes so take care to observe wildlife while you are walking.

Built by hand in the 1890’s and lined with locally made bricks, it is the southernmost rail tunnel in the country. The tunnel is part of the former Catlins River Railway. The line’s construction began at Balclutha in 1879. This tunnel section was completed in 1896 and the line reached Owaka a year later. The walk follows the fence line down to the old railway formation, which leads to the 250-metre tunnel.

A torch is recommended to see the intricate brick work in the tunnel’s construction. The land beyond the light at the end of the tunnel is privately owned. The railway goal was to link Balclutha and Owaka to support timber, flax and dairy industries.
An easy walk from the car park and remember the torch in the glovebox.

Papatowai Store The Catlins New Zealand.  The store that has everything but the actual thing you forgot to pack.  A warm welcome complete with standard motel units that are sparkling clean. Papatowai is surrounded by native podocarp forest and there are waterfalls,and sandy beaches in addition to bushwalks. Papatowai is home to the quirky Lost Gypsy Gallery. The Lost Gypsy Gallery, a long green bus is a whimsical place, Blair owner and creator describes himself as ‘an organic mechanic’  Forward bookings are recommended for accommodation as there is a limited supply. Wifi is unreliable in this area.

Picnic Point in Papatowai is an underrated 40 minute walk to a photographer’s special location.  The beach is framed by a vernant bush and the stunning Tahakopa beach has plenty of space for the few visitors that bother going. Continue around the beach and follow signage through the bush setting to your departure point. There are glimpses of the grooved Old Coach Rd,  Old Coach Road on the Tahakopa Bay Loop Track

The Old Coach Road walk takes 40 minutes to return with a tropical feel as you emerge from the bush on to the sand. You can carry on up past the dunes to the coastal cliffs  (Kings Rocks) adding an extra hour on to the walk. Alternatively, you can re-enter the bush before the cliffs and follow the Tahakopa Bay Loop Track back to the car park. Park just past the bridge over the Papatowai Estuary and stroll through the podocarp forest to Tahakopa Beach.

The King’s Rock walk is a vigorous 20 minute extension to the Picnic Point walk. Check DOC’s brochure for details. Papatowai walks: Catlins Coastal area. Otago region in the Travel Pack Section.

This bay is famous for its fossilised forest. At low tide you can peer intently at the wet rocks to identify fossilised wood. Initially you might think you are looking at rocks, but on a detailed inspection you can see the grains of the fossilised wood. This is another low tide excursion to find and identify a spectacular fossilized forest. The petrified Forest is 60 million years old dating back when New Zealand was still part of the massive continent Gondwana.

Park in the Curio Bay car park and a short walk will get you to both Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay. Porpoise Bay often has Hector’s dolphins frequenting the bay. Swimming with dolphins is possible with the Department of Conservation highlighting the need for swimmers to keep your distance and let any interaction be initiated by the dolphins. Porpoise Bay is unique in that it is the only place where dolphins come so close to the shore without being enticed by people feeding them. The Porpoise Bay dolphin population is small, estimated to be less than 20 resident animals. They use the bay to raise their young, feed and rest. For detailed information about Hector’s Bay check Department of Conservation online information.