THE SOUTHLAND / OTAGO NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL VISITORS GUIDE 2020/2021 Welcome...Only leave your footprints; only take photographs and memories... (photo: CCI) (photo: Kia Ora and welcome to The Remember The Catlins is another Catlins, a major highlight of the special part of New Zealand/Aotearoa Southern Scenic Route. Situated that has steep topography and quite off the beaten track, The Catlins large distances from main cities; this encompasses the area between means cell phone coverage is not Fortrose and Kaka Point and always accessible. Plan your days, inland to Mokoreta. You will keep water on hand for long drives journey through rural heartland and always take note of fuel stops Contents and podocarp forest, past rugged as they are sometimes few and far 2 Welcome coastlines, hidden lakes and between. stunning waterfalls. The natural 4 Origins and Our Past landscapes are enthralling and the The Catlins has many wonderful 6 Wildlife wildlife is extraordinary. experiences to share. Accept our 8 Walks and Natural Attractions invitation and stay a few days. Meet The Catlins southern location 11 Emergency information the local people and relax on ‘Catlins bestows upon us long summer 12 Camping information time’. days perfect for exploring. 13 Activities Vivid sunsets and long twilight Tatu te Whenua evenings lead on to ideal star Please leave the land undisturbed. 16 Food and Services gazing opportunities. Rainy days bring fresh growth to pastures 19 Accommodation and forest while strong winds 26 Map shape the forests and raise impressive waves along the coast. Back cover: Care Code (photo: Cicell Jenks) Cicell (photo: Come prepared to enjoy dynamic weather conditions. Be sure to visit the local information centres at Owaka, Waikawa, Tokanui, Curio Bay Tumu Toka Curioscape and Fortrose for helpful tips and local knowledge about The Catlins area. 2 THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz 3 The first European communities wool, grain and timber. Origins and our Past centred around short-lived Waikawa was a bustling port whaling stations during the town with a succession of The region’s namesake was a Early Māori were the first 1830s. Sawmilling then became industries including whaling, ship’s captain who regularly people to live and travel the sustaining industry. The sawmilling, gold mining, stone carried exports to Australia. extensively in the region, prosperity of these early quarrying, flax milling, sheep Edward Cattlin purchased a attracted by the abundance settlements relied on shipping and dairy farming. Owaka in huge tract of land from local of seafood in coastal waters and good port access. the north was settled later Māori in 1840. However, and prolific birdlife in the during the 1860s and, again, authorities later reduced his forest, including the large Dense forest meant an isolated existence and volatile seas sawmilling and timber exports claim and did not formally Moa bird (now extinct). became big business. transfer title until 1873. This was caused many shipwrecks along Māori legends reverberate a bit late for Captain Cattlin who The Catlins coast. Among them By the 1920s the railway had with colourful escapades of had died in Sydney, 17 years New Zealand’s worst civilian arrived, Waikawa harbour had great chiefs like Tuhawaiki earlier. Still, his name has stayed maritime disaster – the SS silted up and coastal shipping and large hairy monsters with us, albeit with a slight Tararua at Waipapa Point in reduced. The boom times were of the forest known as modification to the spelling. 1881 with 131 lives lost. over. Today farming, fishing ‘Maeroero’. Nevertheless, the early towns and eco-tourism are the main thrived. Fortrose exported industries. The Wreck of the Manuka (watercolour: Fergus Sutherland) 4 THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz 5 The Catlins is one of the best spots in New Zealand to see Yellow-Eyed Penguins (Hoiho). (photo: Venture Southland) Mohua (photo: Philip S. Melgren) Sea Lions (Whakahao) (photo: Fergus Sutherland) Which way (Slope Point) Wildlife Yellow-Eyed Penguins Seals & Sea Lions Birdlife The Yellow-Eyed Penguin New Zealand Fur Seals The Catlins boasts a variety of sea and Hector’s Dolphins Hoiho is an endangered and Kekeno, New Zealand Sea forest birds. Shags roost in trees on Hector’s Dolphins Tutumairekurai unique species. Distinguished Lions Whakahao and the the coast and river edges while Gulls /Tūpoupou are one of our shy by its distinct yellow eyes and odd formidable Elephant and Terns are seen close to shore. local species. These little black headband, the Yellow-Eyed Seal can be found Further out, the likes of Muttonbirds and white dolphins can be seen Penguin is native to New sunning themselves on Tītī, Gannets Takapu and Mollymawks in the summer surf at Porpoise Zealand. Hoiho, its Māori various Catlins beaches dive for fish. Herons Kotuku, Pied Bay. They are one of the rarest name, imitates its shrill call and (especially Waipapa Point Stilts, Bar Tailed Godwits Kuaka and and smallest dolphins in the translates to ‘the noise shouter’. and Surat Bay). The only Oystercatchers Toreapango wade in world. Swimming with the Penguins are best viewed at place on mainland New the estuaries. Fernbirds Kōtātā/Mātātā dolphins is discouraged; it is best dawn or dusk and observed Zealand where all three and Bitterns Kaoriki hide amongst the to watch them from the shore. If at a minimum of 50 metres. co-exist is at Nugget rushes and Kingfishers Kōtare survey the you are in the water, please do A special hide at Roaring Bay Point. Please keep your rivers. Forest songsters include Bellbirds not approach the dolphins. provides discreet viewing. distance (at least 20 Korimako/Makomako and Mohua. Never approach a penguin metres) at all times as Fantails Pīwakawaka/Tīwakawaka/ as they are shy and easily these animals can be Piwaiwaka and Tomtits Miromiro are frightened. Please keep your aggressive and chase often seen near walking tracks, while distance and stay concealed people when feeling the Tui and the New Zealand Pigeon if possible. Dogs are strictly threatened. Keep dogs Kererū are amongst those in the canopy prohibited from penguin well away. overhead. colonies. Curio Bay (photo: Venture Southland) 6 THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz 7 Waipapa Point (photo: Cicell Jenks) Waikawa Harbour (photo: Ellie van Empel) Ferns (photos: Fergus Sutherland) Cathedral Caves (photo: Clutha Development Inc.) wheelchair track and a longer 3 The Catlins least known Walks and Natural Attractions hour wilderness track through waterfalls. The track may be native bush. muddy and slippery. (40 minutes Endless sightseeing choices await keep to formed tracks and only leave At Curio Bay/Tumu Toka you return). you inland and along the coast. footprints. will find an ancient geological Cathedral Caves resonate Our native forests are home to The cliffs at Fortrose command phenomenon of international with the sound of the sea. Rising mighty podocarp trees including spectacular views of the southern significance – the Petrified more than 30 metres in places, Rimu, Totara, Matai, Kahikatea coastline and the Fortrose Estuary. At Forest. Fossilised trees similar to they are all at once imposing, and Miro. Other trees to be found Waipapa Point, walk to the historic Kauri and Matai lie embedded on grand and truly cathedral-like. include Silver Beech, Tawhai lighthouse and Tararua Acre, the coastal bedrock, remnants of a The caves’ private access is and Flowering Kamahi and Rata. cemetery of many of the victims of 170 million year old Jurassic era opened only at low tide with a Perching plants, orchids, vines the 1881 shipping disaster. forest. Please do not damage or small road fee (cash only). The and 28 species of fern fill in the Slope Point, the southernmost remove any fossils. Also at Curio caves’ opening is subject to safe gaps, creating a perfect habitat point of the South Island, has Bay/Tumu Toka is the Living sea conditions and can be closed for native birds and insects. Most windswept trees and a magnificent Forest walk; this is a direct at short notice (1 hour return). tracks are maintained by our view over the southern ocean. descendant of the Petrified Forest. Closed June to end of October. Department of Conservation; Waipohatu is a tranquil picnic Koropuku Falls This charming Lake Wilkie is reflective remember it is always safer to area offering a short 20 minute 10 mtr high waterfall is one of and peaceful. There is a Nugget Point/Tokatā (photo: Fergus Sutherland) Windswept trees at Slope Point (photo: Fergus Sutherland) 8 THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz THE CATLINS OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.catlins.org.nz 9 (photo: Fergus Sutherland) Fergus (photo: Matai Falls Matai Falls Purakaunui (photo: Clutha Development Inc.) clear succession of naturally habitats with activities for young is a 15-20 minute informative Walk to a spectacular blowhole establishing forest here. During people, and the Old Coach Road. history and forest walk. with exploding waves and summer the red brilliance of Tautuku Estuary – journey Purakaunui Falls is a picture roaring sound effects when at flowering Rata is stunning through time on this historic trail. of beauty. Surrounded by bush, high tide. Jacks Blowhole is 100 (30 minutes return). There is an easy track leading this magnificent waterfall metres inland from the sea. It View the sweeping Tautuku through podocarp forest and cascades 20 metres over three has been known historically for Beach and Bay from Florence out onto a boardwalk above the distinct tiers (20 minutes return). its ability to dramatically spout Hill. To the east is the rugged estuary flats. Enjoy the raucous Other enjoyable waterfalls water.