Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
huge cauldron was named after Chief Tuhawaiki, nicknamed Bloody Jack for his cussin'.
It's a fairly brisk 30-minute walk each way.
Owaka
is the Catlins' main town (population a hefty 303), bolstered by the
Catlins Info
Centre & Owaka Museum
(adult/child $5/free; 9.30am-1pm & 1.30-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat & Sun)
,
which houses displays on local history. The Catlins' reputation as a shipwreck coast is ex-
plained in video presentations. A petrol station, Four Square supermarket with an ATM,
and several run-of-the-mill places to eat make Owaka a useful spot for stocking up before
moving on.
Pounawea
, 4km east, is a beautiful hamlet on the edge of the Catlins River Estuary. Just
across the inlet is
Surat Bay
, notable for the sea lions that lie around the beach between here
and
Cannibal Bay
, an hour's beach walk away.
Heading north from Owaka, detour off SH92 to
Nugget Point
and walk out to the light-
house. This is the king of the Catlins viewpoints, made all the more interesting by the
wave-thrashed cliffs, toothy nuggets, seals and sea lions lolling about below. There's also
plenty of birdlife, such as soaring shearwaters and spoonbills huddling in the lea of the
breeze.
Just shy of the Nugget Point car park is the car park for
Roaring Bay
, where a well-placed
hide allows you to see yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore (best two hours before sun-
set). Obey all signs: as you can see, this is a pretty precarious existence. If you don't have
your own transport, nightly
twilight tours
( 0800 525 278;
www.catlins.co.nz
; per person $30)
are run
by the folks at Nugget View & Kaka Point Motels.
From Nugget Point the road loops back through the little township of
Kaka Point
, which
has a surfy swimming beach, several accommodation options and a waterfront pub. The
road continues north from here to Balclutha.
Sleeping & Eating
You won't starve along this stretch, as there are numerous food stops dotted along the
highway. However, an investment in cheese and crackers may save you being smothered
in chips.
OWAKA & PURAKAUNUI
DOC Camping Grounds
CAMPSITE
$
