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The best of Clutha District & The Catlins
The best of Clutha District
FOR THOSE WHOSE HOLIDAY WISH LIST INCLUDES A WHOLE LOT OF EVERYTHING, CLUTHA DISTRICT HAS THE DIVERSITY TO SATISFY.
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On any given day you can swim and surf at Taieri Mouth or venture inland to the Blue Mountains for walks. It’s a mecca for hunters, nature lovers and photographers.
In Balclutha you will find the iconic Balclutha Bridge and the Blair Athol Walkway. Nudging the Clutha River, this 90-minute return track is suitable for both walkers and bike riders.
For history, don’t miss Sod Cottage on the Milton Highway. Built in the 1860s from mud and straw, it provided a basic stopover for gold miners and was fully restored in 1970.
Cycling in Lawrence © www.cluthanz.com
The Clutha Gold Cycle Trail, one of the New Zealand Great Rides, concludes in the pretty town of Lawrence. Speed demons could complete the ride in one day, but two days allows for overnight stays at Roxburgh, Millers Flat and Beaumont. The popular little town of Lawrence was Otago’s first gold-rush town. Gabriel Read discovered the precious metal in 1861. Make sure you check out Gabriel’s Gully Historic Reserve, the site of New Zealand’s first major gold rush and where remnants of machinery remain today. Afterwards, grab a coffee at the historic Gabriel’s Café & Bar which, back in 1886 was the town’s main bank. Make sure you stay overnight; most local hosts welcome guests with a large drop of world-class wine!
Clutha Gold Trail © James Jubb
The Best of The Catlins
WITH ITS WEALTH OF WONDERS, MAKE THE MOST OF THIS SPECIAL PLACE.
NUGGET PT LIGHTHOUSE: Rocks eroded by waves resemble gold nuggets and can be seen from the lighthouse, 76 metres above sea level.
JACK’S BLOWHOLE: From Jack’s Bay, a onehour return walk leads to Jack’s Blowhole. A strong high tide will see this 55-metre-deep spectacle blow skyward.
THE LOST GYPSY: A secret treasure in Papatōwai. Explore automata madness from New Zealand artist, Blair Somerville and climb inside the gypsy bus.
WILDLIFE: Fur seals and birds frequent Nugget Pt, and between December and February elephant seals, too. Roaring Bay is home to the elusive yellow-eyed penguin, sea lions and dolphins.
WATERFALLS: Six spectacular waterfalls include the triple tiered cascade at Purakaunui Falls as well as Niagara Falls, named by a good-humoured surveyor.
CATHEDRAL CAVES: Walk through gargantuan chasms measuring 200 metres in length and 30 metres high at Waipati Beach.
CURIO BAY: Enjoy a swim or surf, then walk to the Petrified Forest where fossilised trees are embedded in coastal bedrock.
TUMU TOKA CURIOSCAPE: For hands-on fun, this immersive indoor centre tells the story of Curio Bay.
OWAKA: Māori for ‘the place of canoes’. A large stainless steel waka/canoe sculpture is quite the standout in this small town.
Nugget Pt, The Catlins © Tourism NZ / Miles Holden
Main Image: Clutha Gold Trail © wwww.cluthanz.com
