Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 03-415 8613, 0800 228 5467;
www.catlinsmohuapark.co.nz
;
744 Catlins Valley Rd; d $120-200)
Situated
on the edge of a peaceful 14-hectare nature reserve (7km off the highway), these four lux-
urious self-contained cottages are the perfect base for exploration, although with such in-
teresting mixed forest and birdlife on the doorstep, you may well just want to sit still for a
bit. The owners have other accommodation options available at Papatowai.
Eating
You'll find roadside takeaways in Waikawa and Papatowai. The Papatoawi general store
has a limited range of groceries.
Whistling Frog Café & Bar
CAFE
$$
( 03-415 8338;
www.whistlingfrogcafe.com
; SH92, McLeans Falls; mains $20-32; 8.30am-9pm; )
Colourful and fun, the Frog has a serious approach to food and drink, offering craft beer
on tap (happy hour 4.30pm to 6pm) and a refreshingly cosmopolitan menu. We're talking
a seriously rich steak-and-ale pie with gourmet fries and a side salad with blueberry dress-
ing and candied nuts. Or duck salad with blue cheese and rocket. Ribbit! Located at the
Catlins Kiwi Holiday Park.
Niagara Falls Café
(
www.niagarafallscafe.co.nz
;
256 Niagara-Waikawa Rd, Niagara; lunch mains $13-27, dinner $23-35; 8am-10pm;
)
Located in an old schoolhouse, this is a friendly spot to linger over coffee and a
scone, or tuck into homemade meals from breakfast through dinner. Tasty lamb burgers
are sandwiched into freshly baked bread, and there's blue cod and chowder as well as
plenty of vegetarian options. Bask in the grassy garden with a local craft beer or fine
wine.
CAFE
$$
Papatowai to Balclutha
From Papatowai, follow the highway north to
Matai Falls
(a 30-minute return walk) on the
Maclennan River, then head southeast on the signposted road to the tiered
Purakaunui Falls
(20 minutes return). Both falls are reached via cool, dark forest walks through totara and
tree fern.
Continue along the gravel road from Purakaunui Falls to the 55m-deep
Jack's Blowhole
. In
the middle of a paddock 200m from the sea but connected by a subterranean cavern, this
