# The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill

> 3-day road trip of about 220 km (137 mi) with 11 stops, from Balclutha to Invercargill. About 2 h 24 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/nzz-catlins-southern-scenic/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 220 km (137 mi) with 11 stops, from Balclutha to Invercargill. About 2 h 24 min of driving in total. Forest waterfalls, fossil beaches, penguin coves and the southernmost tip of the South Island on the Southern Scenic Route.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 220 km (137 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 24 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 11 |
| Route | Balclutha → Invercargill |
| States | New Zealand |
| Updated | May 6, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave SH1 at Balclutha and take SH92, the Southern Scenic Route, which winds through farmland and forest to Owaka, about 50 kilometres away and roughly an hour. Stock up with food and fuel there, as services thin out to the south and mobile coverage is poor. The road is sealed but has many bends, some one-lane bridges and fast-changing weather; slow down at each bridge and give way as signed.

From Owaka, drive about 10 kilometres on Nugget Point Road to the lighthouse and walk the 900-metre track along the ridge. Stop at the Roaring Bay hide in the late afternoon for yellow-eyed penguins. The road is narrow and rolling. Back on SH92 head south for Purakaunui Falls, an easy ten-minute walk, and consider a night at a DOC campsite; check fees and booking before you go.

South of Papatowai, plan to reach Cathedral Caves around low tide, when the beach walk is open, and check whether access is open and what the fee is. Continue to McLean Falls on a muddy 40-minute return track, then to Curio Bay, where the petrified forest is exposed at low tide and Hector’s dolphins sometimes swim in Porpoise Bay. Fuel and camping are available at Curio Bay and Waikawa.

On the last day follow SH92 west towards Invercargill. Take the signed gravel Slope Point Road for the 20-minute walk to the southernmost point of the South Island, and respect gates and stock, especially in lambing time. Waipapa Point lighthouse, off the main road near Otara, has seals and a wreck memorial. From there SH92 is faster, reaching Invercargill in about an hour.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Balclutha** (New Zealand)
2. **Owaka** (New Zealand)
3. **Nugget Point Lighthouse** (Owaka, New Zealand): A lighthouse of 1870 on a narrow ridge above a line of rocky islets known as the Nuggets, reached on an easy 900-metre walk from the car park. Fur seals rest below the track. The final road is narrow and winding; go in the early morning for the best light.
4. **Roaring Bay Penguin Hide** (Owaka, New Zealand): A viewing hide above a beach near Nugget Point where yellow-eyed penguins return from the sea late in the afternoon. A short, easy path leads from the car park. Stay quiet and keep to the hide and track, as the birds are shy and endangered.
5. **Purakaunui Falls** (Owaka, New Zealand): A three-tiered waterfall dropping over dark rock in native forest, reached by a flat 10-minute walk from the car park off Purakaunui Falls Road. The final stretch of the road is gravel. It is a popular stop, so visit in the morning for fewer people.
6. **Cathedral Caves** (Owaka, New Zealand): Two huge sea caves on Waipati Beach, reached by a track through private land and a walk along the sand. They are accessible only around low tide, so check the posted tide times. Access can be restricted and a fee applies, so check before driving.
7. **McLean Falls** (Owaka, New Zealand): A tiered waterfall in the Catlins forest, reached by a 40-minute return track from the car park, with a small campsite nearby. The path can be muddy after rain. Take the short side track to Upper McLean Falls if you have time.
8. **Curio Bay Petrified Forest** (Owaka, New Zealand): A rock platform containing the stumps and logs of a forest about 170 million years old, best seen at low tide. Yellow-eyed penguins and, in the next bay, Hector’s dolphins can often be seen. Keep to the viewing area and do not walk on the fossil logs.
9. **Slope Point** (Invercargill, New Zealand): The southernmost point of the South Island mainland, marked by a signpost on a windswept clifftop and reached on a 20-minute walk across farmland. Stock may be present, so close gates. Access can be restricted during lambing in spring, so look for notices.
10. **Waipapa Point Lighthouse** (Invercargill, New Zealand): A lighthouse of 1884 built after the wreck of the steamer Tararua nearby, on a low, wind-blown point where sea lions and fur seals haul out. Walk the short track around the point and keep clear of the animals. It sits just off SH92.
11. **Invercargill** (New Zealand)

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Balclutha → Purakaunui Falls** (92 km, 1 h 00 min) On the way: Owaka, Nugget Point Lighthouse, Roaring Bay Penguin Hide.
2. **Day 2: Purakaunui Falls → Slope Point** (58 km, 0 h 38 min) On the way: Cathedral Caves, McLean Falls, Curio Bay Petrified Forest.
3. **Day 3: Slope Point → Invercargill** (69 km, 0 h 45 min) On the way: Waipapa Point Lighthouse.

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill?**
3-day road trip of about 220 km (137 mi) with 11 stops, from Balclutha to Invercargill. About 2 h 24 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 24 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill start and end?**
It starts in Balclutha and ends in Invercargill.

**Which states does The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill pass through?**
New Zealand.

**When is the best time for The Catlins coast from Balclutha to Invercargill?**
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)