Ultimate Catlins road trip: 5 unmissable places

Ready for the ultimate Catlins road trip? Simply pick up a campervan, load it up and set off on the South Island adventure of a lifetime! In just five amazing days, you’ll come across incredible waterfalls, magical caves, rugged waves and more. Make your way down the wild coastline, spotting penguins, sea lions and dolphins along the way.

We’ve put together the perfect itinerary to help see all the Catlins has to offer and take in as much as possible on one brilliant road trip. Below, we’ve put together five places you can’t miss on this van life adventure.

Best road trip around Catlins: 5 places you can’t miss

Total distance: about 105km | Recommended days: 3-5 days | Best time to do the route: Spring | See route in Google Maps

1. Curio Bay

Curio Bay is a great first stop when exploring the Catlins Region. Make the short drive to Waipohatu, which offers up a great 1.5 hour round hike, along which you’ll find two wonderful waterfalls! From there, check out Slope Point, which holds its claim as the most southern point of the South Island. You can take a 10-15 minute walk to the ‘photo-worthy’ sign to tick the boxes.

In Curio Bay, there’s plenty of wildlife around to encounter, including the rare yellow-eyed penguins that come out at dusk (make sure you time this one well so you don’t miss them). Porpoise Bay is also nearby, and they’re both great spots to see whales and sea lions.

The Petrified Forest is right next to Curio Bay, with fossils that date back 170 million years. Take a walk back through the Living Forest walkway, where you can see what the trees would have looked like when they were alive.

It’s also worth making a trip to McLean Falls, the largest waterfall in the region. Take a 15-20 minute walk through the forest, where you can view the 22-metre waterfall from a number of different angles. Just don’t forget your camera!

2. Cathedral Caves

The awesome thing about the Catlins is that everything is close by, but with so much to see and do, it makes sense to break up the sightseeing over about three to five days. Case in point: Cathedral Caves is just a 35-minute drive from Curio Bay.

The Cathedral Caves are made up of two passageways that are both 200 metres long, under 30 metre high ceilings. You can only access this spot at low tide with a $10 entrance fee, so be sure to time it right in your travels.

Just a 15-minute drive away, you can pay a visit to The Lost Gypsy Gallery, which has been created by artist Blair Somerville. You’ll find most of her creations inside a bus, with plenty of mesmerising art to feast your eyes on.

3. Owaka

On your way to Owaka, be sure to stop off at the Purakaunui Falls, which is one of Otago’s most-photographed sights. The 10-minute track takes you through the forest, where you can stop at a view of the cascading 20-metre waterfall, falling over three tiers. This area was used as a filming location for Narnia and is pretty spectacular! Alternatively, make the short drive to Matai Falls, which offers up a 30-minute return track to another beautiful waterfall.

In Owaka, you will find Graham Renwick’s quirky collection of teapots at Teapotland. It’s a great way to break up the sightseeing, and offers up something a little bit different that you won’t see anywhere else. You can also head to Owaka Museum, where you can discover more about the Catlins region. The town of Owaka has a small supermarket, petrol station, a couple of shops and a few art galleries for you to check out.

On your way to Nugget Point, make a stop in Cannibal Bay to enjoy a quiet, secluded beach away from the other holiday makers. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some dolphins, fur seals or sea lions.

4. Nugget Point

Nugget Point is one of the most popular attractions the Catlins has to offer, so be sure not to miss it. Head to the Nugget Point Lighthouse, where you can view all the massive boulders - or nuggets - in the sea. There’s also plenty of wildlife you can spot in the pools below, including a colony of sea lions.

There’s a walking track nearby that takes you on a 40-minute round trip along a steep cliff on the coastline, where you can look out across some stunning views. Right next door, you’ll find Roaring Bay, which is another spot known for its yellow-eyed penguin colony.

5. Kaka Point

Finally, end your road trip in Kaka Point, which is a popular seaside village that hosts plenty of holiday makers during the summer months. Spend your time checking out the incredible coastal views, while dipping your toes in the sandy beaches and taking off on the many bush walks nearby.

It’s the perfect end to your road trip - settle back and unwind, enjoying some beachside downtime before heading back home. Make sure to visit Kaka Point Beach for a dip, check out Catlins Brewery for some craft beer, or head off on the Kaka Point Bush Walk.

Hire a van for your Catlins road trip

Once you sort out campervan hire in the Southland region it’s time to head off on the Catlins road trip of a lifetime. We’ve mapped out the perfect itinerary to take you around this incredible area. The entire trip takes 5 days for you to soak up all the wonders, but if you’re short on time, you can definitely get through more in one day. The choice is yours!

Just make sure to allow enough time to see all the incredible sights on offer, and settle in for a night of comfort at one of these Catlins camping grounds during your travels.

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