Southern exposure

The pristine wilderness in the deep South is the perfect setting to stretch the legs and inject a health kick into your happy holiday. If you're planning a summer road trip the Catlins district and the South Otago coast are packed with natural wonders.
Nugget Point is the first major sightseeing attraction on the Catlins route, which begins south of Balclutha. Rugged and windswept, Nugget Point delivers the most panoramic coastal views. A steep walking track takes you up to the historic lighthouse that was built on top of the jagged rocks in 1860.
Adjacent to Nugget Point, blue penguins and yellow-eyed penguins can be seen late in the day at Roaring Bay. Elephant seals, fur seals and Hooker's sea lions also call Nugget Point home.
Jacks Beach is a beautiful South Otago spot with a delightful cluster of eccentric Kiwi cribs.
From the beach, an easy 20-minute walk across private farmland takes you to the dramatic Jacks Blowhole, about 200m from the beach. The hole is 55m deep and the boom of the blowhole at high tide is thunderously impressive.
Purakanui Falls are extremely picturesque within a beautiful bush setting. The Catlins have several popular waterfalls, but Purakanui would be my pick of the bunch. None of the Catlins falls are particularly high, but the dense and lush forest settings accentuate the splendour of cascading water. I visited the falls on a particularly wet day, which actually added to the visual spectacle.
Cathedral Caves are guaranteed to thrill. The main cave reaches a height of 30m. Some of the caves go deep into the cliff so a torch is recommended. The caves are only accessible at low tide so time your visit.
Tide times are helpfully posted on the entrance gate, and the gate is normally closed if the tide isn't suitable.
Curio Bay is one of the most unusual coastal settings I have ever seen. Fossil tree stumps and trunks more than 150 million years old are clearly identifiable on the rocky shoreline shelf.
Once again, low tide is the best time to experience the preserved ancient forest. Curio Bay is also home to a colony of yellow-eyed penguins which come ashore late in the day. Curio Bay is a real hit with children.
The cute Catlins village of Owaka has become a centre for arts and craftspeople and the galleries are well worth a nosey.
If you want to break up the trip with an overnight stay, Catlins Retreat Guesthouse on Owaka's main road is highly recommended.
TRAVEL TIP
The Catlins are best navigated from Dunedin, following the Southern Scenic Route from Balclutha. It is possible to take in all of the major sights within one day, but if you wish to explore the area at a more leisurely pace, an overnight stop in Owaka is recommended. For full information on touring the Catlins, this website is a handy reference point.
www.catlins.org.nz