The Catlins
Travel Guide
Visit The Catlins
Curio Bay Salt House Motel
"Lovely beach view. Was warm and cosy."
Reviewed on Jun 22, 2026
The Kaka Point Motels
Surat Bay Lodge, Motel and Backpackers
"Absolute Magical place. A step back in time really. Great place to stay. Great hosts. Awesome views. Definitely recommend and will definitely be back to stay again."
Reviewed on Mar 15, 2026
Kaka Point Luxury Spa Accommodation
"We had a wonderful stay at Kaka point. Easy booking and entry process, a lovely well appointed apartment with incredible views."
Reviewed on Apr 5, 2026
Catlins Gateway Motel
Catlins Lake Sanctuary
"This was a great base camp for exploring the Catlins. Beds were clean and comfortable, although I felt I had to wipe down the kitchen before using it. The property was amazing! Beautiful views of the estuary, a peaceful place to walk in the mornings, and good view of stars at night."
Reviewed on Feb 28, 2020
Popular places to visit
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Sitting high above the water’s edge, this historic lighthouse has been a fixture of the Catlins for more than a century.
McLean Falls
This two-part waterfall is the end-point of an easy walk through varied forest and bush land and one of the most impressive in the Catlins area.
Jack's Blowhole
See the powerful natural feature named after a Māori chief by following a short trail on a private sheep farm.
Cathedral Caves
Explore the great outdoors at Cathedral Caves, a lovely green space in Chaslands. Wander the forest and seaside while you're in the area.
Purakaunui Falls
Visit the Catlins’ most famous waterfalls to see why it has adorned postcards and postage stamps for decades.
Matai Falls
Take a drive on the Southern Scenic Route to embark on a walk through regenerating forest that leads to two of the Catlins’ most photogenic falls.
