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Walks
& Attractions
The following
are a sample of some of the walks and attractions in our area.
-
Surat Bay: Take a walk down to the end of the beach from
outside Surat Bay Lodge, and view the native New Zealand sea lions.
This is best done at low tide when there is more room to walk. Return
trip around 2 hours.
- Surat Bay - Cannibal Bay: At the end of Surat Bay there
is a track through the sand dunes to Cannibal Bay. There you may
find remains of a forest buried by blown sand and evidence of moa
hunter living areas. And of course, more sea lions. Return trip
around 2.5-3 hours.
- Pounawea Native Bush Walk: The entrance to this walk is
from the Motor Camp at the end of the the road in Pounawea. This
is approximately 10 minutes drive from our hostel. Alternatively
you can hire a bike for transport.
The walk
takes you through an old Podocarp forest rich in bird life and returns
via a salt marsh and the Catlins river estuary. Lots of herons and
wading birds can be seen. Best done at low tide. Round trip 45 minutes.
- Jacks
Blowhole: Access is from Jacks Bay, which is a 20 minute drive
from our hostel. Alternatively you can hire a bike for transport.
Follow
and keep to the painted markers on the walk up to the Blowhole.
The Blowhole is a large hole 55 metres deep and 200 metres inland
from the sea. It formed when the roof fell into a large subterranean
sea cave. Fantastic views of the coastline. Return trip - 1 hour.
Note access may be restricted due to Lambing please check
first..
-
Purakaunui
Falls: Lovely short forest walk amongst silver beech and large
Podocarp forest. The most photographed fall in New Zealand. Easy
track. Return time 20 minutes.
- Catlins
River walk: The longest walk in the Catlins. It is a one way
track so walkers need to be dropped off at one end and picked up
at the other. See our Tours section for
more details. Alternatively you can walk part of the track, then
return.
Walking
the track one way will take approximately 5 hours. The forest
is spectacular and follows the Catlins river the whole way. You
may see or hear, amongst many other native birds, the rare Mohua
or Yellowhead.
- Nugget
Point: A 30 minute drive from Surat Bay Lodge, Nugget Point
is a must, when visiting the Catlins. It is home to Fur Seals, Sea
Lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins and the occasional Elephant Seal.
Roaring
Bay is the Penguin viewing place ( however for a more unique and private viewing take one of our Tours) and is best visited in the hours
just before sunset. The track to the lighthouse is only 10 minutes
and offers a breathtaking view unlike no other on the Catlins
coast.
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