Catlins Forest Park Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Upper McLean Falls; the reward at the end of the short walk through the rain forest in the Catlins on the south island of New Zealand. #nature
Upper McLean Falls; the reward at the end of the short walk through the rain forest in the Catlins on the south island of New Zealand. #nature
The incredible McLean Falls in The Catlins, New Zealand. If you're feeling adventurous you can even climb to the top of the falls and stand on the edge 😮
This is McLean Falls and it's located in the Catlins, one of the most beautiful areas in New Zealand. Mclean Falls is the tallest and perhaps the most spectacular waterfall in this region and officially reaches 22 metres in height, but this just refers to the main drop of the falls from the very top to where it meets its first water pool, it then descends for many more metres over a series of terraces. #green
McLeans Falls (lower) is always worth the walk when exploring the Catlins in New Zealand’s South Island. #waterfall #rainforest

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Croydon Lodge Hotel

Croydon Lodge Hotel

4 out of 5
100 Waimea Street Croydon
The price is NZ$182 per night from 11 Mar to 12 Mar
NZ$182
11 Mar - 12 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Croydon. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Hokonui Pioneer village and Museum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (254 reviews)
Friendly staff, nice rooms and handy parking. Cleanliness really let the room down. Otherwise would have had 5 stars.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Croydon Lodge Hotel
The Kaka Point Motels

The Kaka Point Motels

4 out of 5
24 Rata Street Kaka Point
The price is NZ$172 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
NZ$172
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kaka Point. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tarata St Park and Kaka Point Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (283 reviews)
Excellent room with lovely sea view. Good amenities. Great communication from staff. Local restaurant (Sandy's) was also very good.

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

The Kaka Point Motels
Riverlea Motel

Riverlea Motel

3 out of 5
46 Hokonui Drive Gore
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$189 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
NZ$189
3 Apr - 4 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Gore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Gore Historical Museum and Hokonui Moonshine Museum are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Clean, comfortable beds and easy walking to restaurants

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Riverlea Motel
See all 62 properties in Catlins Forest Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Serene on Marine, Kaka Point

Serene on Marine, Kaka Point

Kaka Point Otago
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Kaka Point. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tarata St Park and Kaka Point ...
10/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
What an amazing stay. Wish i had more time. The decor beautiful. Great setup. The home had everything needed for a lovely stay. Very clean.

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Serene on Marine, Kaka Point
Kākā Point Beach House

Kākā Point Beach House

Kaka Point South Otago
Stay at this holiday home in Kaka Point. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Tarata St Park and Kaka Point Scenic Reserve are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (222 reviews)
Very comfortable and cosy crib; we enjoyed our short stay, thank you ☺️

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Kākā Point Beach House
Kaka Point Holiday House

Kaka Point Holiday House

Kaka Point OTA
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Kaka Point. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Tarata St Park ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (78 reviews)
A lovely 2 night stay at Kaka point. The house had everting that we needed. We had one chilly night but we enjoyed lighting the fire.

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2026

Kaka Point Holiday House
See all properties in Catlins Forest Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

McLean Falls which includes forest scenes, a river or creek and a waterfall

McLean Falls

4.5/5(9 reviews)

This two-part waterfall is the end-point of an easy walk through varied forest and bush land and one of the most impressive in the Catlins area.

McLean Falls

Cities near Catlins Forest Park

Purakaunui Falls showing a waterfall, forest scenes and a river or creek

Owaka

Matai Falls in the Catlins. Not too far off the road to get to a series of waterfalls. Take some filters for some water motion #TroveOn #nationalpark #traveltherenext #newzealand #catlins @traveltherenext

Chaslands

You can reach Waipapa point by following the dirt road to the end. It's a beautiful place with a lighthouse. The Hooker sea lions are chilling on the beach. There is quite a big parking lot with toilets, but otherwise no facilities.

Otara

Owaka showing surf, rugged coastline and a bay or harbour

Hinahina

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