Itineraries
The Catlins — Off the Beaten Track on a Road Trip from Christchurch
Wild coastlines, waterfalls in beech forest and the southernmost point of the South Island. The Catlins is NZ's most underrated road trip — and it starts in Christchurch.
The Nomado Team · 14 June 2026 · 10 min read
Photo: Noel Jhinku, aka Njhinku · CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Sights along the way
Sight photos sourced from Wikimedia Commons — see individual post credits.
Why the Catlins?
The Catlins is the wild, windswept south-east corner of the South Island — petrified forests, yellow-eyed penguins, hidden waterfalls and almost no tourists. If you've already done Queenstown and Milford, this is your next NZ trip.
Pick up from our Christchurch depot or Christchurch Airport and you're on your way.
Day 1 — Christchurch to Dunedin (4 hr 30 min) Drive SH1 south via Timaru and Oamaru (don't skip the Steampunk HQ and the Moeraki Boulders just north of town). Overnight in Dunedin — explore the Octagon and the world's steepest street.
Day 2 — Dunedin to Owaka (1 hr 45 min) — entering the Catlins Stop at **Nugget Point** lighthouse, scan for fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins from the Roaring Bay hide, and walk the short, easy path to the lookout. Overnight in Owaka or Papatowai.
Day 3 — Catlins core A loop day. Hit: - **Purakaunui Falls** — NZ's most photographed waterfall, an easy 10-min walk through rimu forest - **Cathedral Caves** — accessible at low tide only (check tide times!), giant sea caves - **Jack's Blowhole** — a 200 m deep sinkhole 200 m inland from the sea
Day 4 — Curio Bay & Slope Point **Curio Bay** has a 180-million-year-old petrified forest exposed at low tide, plus a yellow-eyed penguin breeding colony. **Slope Point** is the South Island's southernmost point — the iconic wind-bent macrocarpa trees photo. Overnight in Invercargill or back at Papatowai.
Day 5 — Invercargill back to Christchurch (7 hr direct, or split it) Long drive home — break it at Dunedin or Oamaru, or extend the trip with a Queenstown loop. Drop at our [Christchurch depot](/locations/christchurch).
What car should I rent?
Many Catlins roads are gravel and exposed to coastal weather. A mid-size SUV gives the best clearance and comfort. Couples on a budget can manage in an economy car — just take it slow on gravel.
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