The Catlins Regional Information

The Catlins | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Rediscover yourself in The Catlins. Given the luxury of time, you can encounter wild places that few have ever seen. View The Catlins scenic video.

The Catlins Overview

Southland, New Zealand

The Catlins, (also known as The Catlins Coast), is an area of Southland located in the southwestern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. The Catlins forms the boundary between Southland and Otago.

The Catlins area is sparsely inhabited, enjoying stunning coastal landscape and dense rainforest. Both the rainforest and the coast are home to many endangered species of birds, such as the rare yellow-eyed penguin. The coast attracts numerous marine mammals, such as the New Zealand fur seals and Hooker's sea lions.

Journey through rural heartland, podocarp forests, past rugged coastlines, hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls, all in the beautiful natural landscapes of The Catlins. The wildlife here is truly extraordinary. Explore the rainforest or relax on a beach along the coastline.

The Catlins Highlights

The rugged, scenic coastline of The Catlins includes sandy beaches, blowholes, a petrified forest at Curio Bay, and the Cathedral Caves. The Cathedral Caves are a popular attraction, visitors can reach the caves at low tide.

There are many high cliffs with cascading waterfalls, most notably the iconic Purakaunui Falls on the short Purakaunui River.

Curio Bay is one of the geological wonders of the world. This petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dates back to the Jurassic age, 135 to 190 million years ago.