Clutha
Wet & wild but worth the visit
Clutha
Wet & wild but worth the visit
Unique, unspoilt, off the beaten track. These are just some of the terms used to describe this southeastern corner of the South Island. Heading this far south you’ll discover fewer towns and more ‘settlements’ with just a few hundred residents. The gem amongst all of this remoteness has got to be The Catlins.
A mix of rural heartland, lush forests and rugged coastline, The Catlins area straddles the border of Otago’s Clutha district and the Southland region. Although a fairly small area, it definitely delivers bang for your buck with many easily accessible natural attractions that you won’t find anywhere else in New Zealand.
Top things to do in Clutha
Looking for ideas to help you plan the ultimate New Zealand outdoor adventure? Here are some of the top things for active travellers to see and do in the Clutha region.
Visit Nugget Point
No visit to Clutha would be complete without taking the short walk to the viewing platform besides the iconic Nugget Point/Tokata Lighthouse. While there, you should also stop in at the Roaring Bay viewing hide to spot rare yellow-eyed penguin. You can find more details on these and other walks close by on the Department of Conservation website.

Visit Cathedral Caves
Set in towering cliffs, these dramatic sea caves 30 metres high are only accessible two hours either side of low tide. Access to the caves is managed and there is a small fee but it’s definitely worth it. You can find more details on the Cathedral Caves website.

Visit Purakaunui Falls
You just know that any waterfall that appears on a New Zealand postage stamp has got to be worth visiting. This 20 metre, 3 tiered waterfall is easily accessible via a short, well maintained track. It’s just under an hours drive from Nugget Point and then another 40 or so minutes to Cathedral Caves so worth combining all three into a single trip. You can find more details on the Department of Conservation website.
