Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 03-415 8338;
www.catlinsnz.com
;
SH92; sites from $20, cabins s/d $50/74, units $135-195;
)
Formerly known as McLean Falls Holiday Park, this modern holiday park offers
personality-packed accommodation ranging from cute cabins to smart family motels.
Tenters get the more ambient of the camping options; all share good communal amenit-
ies. Hop along to the on-site
Whistling Frog Cafe
for some of the Catlins' best food.
PAPATOWAI
Hilltop
LODGE $
( 03-415 8028;
www.hilltopcatlins.co.nz
;
77 Tahakopa Valley Rd; dm $34, d $85-100)
High on a
hill 1.5km out of town, with native forest at the back door and surrounded by a sheep
farm, these two shipshape cottages command spectacular views of the Tahakopa Valley
and coast. Rent by the room or the whole house; the en suite double is the pick of a very
nice bunch.
Catlins Mohua Park
COTTAGES $$$
( 03-415 8613, 0800 228 5467;
www.catlinsmohuapark.co.nz
; 744 Catlins Valley Rd; d $120-200)
Situated on the edge of a peaceful 14-hectare nature reserve (7km off the highway),
these four luxurious self-contained cottages are the perfect base for exploration, although
with such interesting mixed forest and birdlife on the doorstep, you may well just want to
sit still for a bit. The owners have other accommodation options available at Papatowai.
Eating
You'll find roadside takeaways in Waikawa and Papatowai. The Papatoawi general store
has a limited range of groceries.
Whistling Frog Café & Bar
CAFE $$$
( 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 cosmo-
politan menu. We're talking a seriously rich steak-and-ale pie with gourmet fries and a
side salad with blueberry dressing and candied nuts. Or duck salad with blue cheese and
rocket. Ribbit! Located at the Catlins Kiwi Holiday Park.
Niagara Falls Café
CAFE $$$
