The absolute best waterfalls in the Catlins, New Zealand

New Zealand is full of amazing waterfalls throughout the entire country and especially on the south island. Fantail Falls on the way to Haast, Coal Creek Falls in Greymouth, waterfalls in the Oxford forest area, Arthurs Pass, mid-Canterbury, there is water falling everywhere! The best of them though, I’ve got to say are the waterfalls in the Catlins in the Southland region.

Not only are the falls easy to get to, but they are also more than impressive and quite close together which makes for a pretty smooth and exciting road trip. It’s hard to believe that that many gems are in one area but they are and what a privilege it is to be able to see these spots.

You for sure do not want to forget your camera and if you can, educate yourself even just a little bit on how to photograph waterfalls especially to get that silky water look. I’ve made a free guide to photographing waterfalls which can be found in the resource library. Below is a quick guide on setting up your shot. Hopefully, this will help to set up your next waterfall shots. I don’t tend to be shooting waterfalls often but I find it very satisfying to get a shot I was looking for!

Now, I’ve put together a guide about the best waterfalls in the Catlins– where to go, how long the track is, and photography tips. There are 4 main ones which are the most visited: Mclean Falls, Matai Falls, Horseshoe falls and Purakaunui Falls. Which of the waterfalls in the Catlins is my favourite is still a question I’m asking myself. They’re all beautiful and those 4 aren’t even all of them! I’ve included some other falls in the area that take a little more time to get get to which I’m so excited to head back to the area to find more!

When I visited we travelled north to south so that’s the order these Catlins waterfalls are in.

McLean Falls

McLean Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Catlins and in the southland region in terms of height. It has two falls, an upper and lower and, stands at 22 meter high making it the tallest in the Catlins Forest Park.

McLean Falls Track

The track is a 40-minute return walk through lush rainforest. The birdsong is amazing as is the flora and fauna. It is mostly flat the entire way on a well-formed track except for the last 5 minutes or so. It gets a bit steeper but it doesn’t last long.

Photographing McLean Falls

Since this waterfall has an upper and lower falls, you have even more options to choose from when composing a shot. One could easily spend hours here! The rock layout by the upper falls seems to be placed just right as it allows you to move around and get different angles of the falls. There’s also a lot of cool options to get into the frame– do it for the gram! Just be careful not to slip. To my surprise, the rocks weren’t actually slippery you just don’t want your excitement to overcloud your judgment.

There is a spot you can climb up on the right-hand side to get the closest to the falls. I opted out as I saw the couple before me struggle a bit to get up there and I just couldn’t be bothered. There were lots of other options to take photos.

How to get to McLean Falls

The track is located off of the Chaslands Highway On Rewcastle Road. As you’re driving along the Chaslands Highway turn onto Rewcastle Road. There is a sign pointing out the falls and also an accommodation there called the Whistling Frog. Rewcastle road continues on for 3 km taking about 15 minutes to reach the trail head. This road travels through a working farm so be aware of stock around, or any that gets out (we watched a whole herd of cheeky sheep get out of their paddock). There are public toliets at the trailhead.

The falls is a little less than 1.5 hours from Invercargill, 30 minutes from Papatowai, 1 hour from Kaka Point.

Matai Falls

Matai Falls might not be the most impressive of the waterfalls in the Catlins in terms of water flow but considering the path in is shared by two waterfalls, the other being Horseshoe Falls, it is well worth seeing. Matai Falls is 10 meters high plunging into a small clearing nestled in the beautiful Catlins rainforest.

Matai Falls track

The track is a 15-minute return walk. Mostly downhill to the falls so coming back you will be on the incline but it doesn’t last long. The track is well-formed and bonus that there are two waterfalls on it!

Photographing Matai Falls

I would say these falls are a little bit more ‘simpler’. The water is not raging down a cliff face but still a lovely waterfall to see and photograph. It’s beautifully nestled in the lush, bright green rainforest and the rocks make for a nice foreground. Both elements pulling a photograph together nicely. There is a large tree branch at the bottom of the falls which you might think is a bit annoying but actually the contrary. I found it added to a great composition for a photo. There is a viewing platform at the bottom of the falls which you can get a great shot from. You can also move around on the surrounding rocks to get different angles just be careful not to slip.

How to get to Matai Falls

Matai Falls are really easy to get to as they are just off the Papatowai Highway. There is a sign posted and a bay for parking. Matai Falls comes up on Google maps and would be hard to miss.

1.5 hours from Invercargill, 10 minutes from Papatowai and 35 minutes from Kaka Point

Horseshoe Falls

The side kick waterfall to Matai Falls, Horseshoe falls is a lovely gentle waterfall again, nestled in the rainforest of the Catlins Forest Park. Horseshoe falls is about the same height but a bit wider than Matai Falls. Which one is better? That is for you to decide. I think we’re pretty lucky to have one accessible track share two beautiful waterfalls,

Horseshoe Falls track

Horseshoe Falls is a 20 minute return track and as mentioned before, this track is shared with Matai Falls. It is only 5 minutes from Matai Falls up a set up stairs.

Photographing horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe falls is a bit harder to photograph for different compositions as there aren’t as many options. The track basically takes you to the opening to see the falls and there are not too many places to move around to get different angles. The best thing here might be to practice framing the scene with the trees and foliage around it. After that, it’s a good time to just take in the sounds and nature around you.

How to get to Horseshoe Falls

Again very easy to get too. The falls are off the Papatowai Highway. There is a sign posted and a bay for parking. If you search or put Matai Falls into google maps you’ll find Horseshoe Falls.

1.5 hours from Invercargill, 10 minutes from Papatowai and 35 minutes from Kaka Point

Purakaunui Falls

.Purakaunui Falls has got to be not only one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Catlins but certainly within the entire south island. It is even easier to get to than McLean Falls and is a beautiful three-tiered cascading waterfall surrounded by the lush greens of the rainforest. There is a large parking area with public toilets at the beginning of the track.

Purakaunui Falls track

This track is an easy 20-minute return walk following the Purakaunui River. There is a short bridge to cross and a few steps down to a viewing platform giving the full front-on view of the falls. There are a few spots along the track that you can get close to the river as well, just take extra care, you don’t want to fall in!

Photographing Purakaunui Falls

There are a few options photography these falls. One being from the viewing platform for a full on front view. You can also go down on the rocks to the left of the falls for a different angle. There are a few boulders and tree branches in this area so you may have to move around a bit to get a foreground you like. I thought these falls were great to zoom in on as well for a shot of the cascading water.

How to get to Purakaunui Falls

There seems to be a few ways to get to Purakaunui Falls. The best way in my opinion if you’re traveling north to south is to turn onto Waikoato Valley Road from the Papatowai Highway. This road takes you right to the car park and turns into Purakaunui Falls Road. You can also access the falls from Puaho Road from the Papatowai Highway right before crossing the bridge in Papatowai. This is a windy gravel road taking about 20 minutes. If you’re heading south to the falls turn onto Purakaunui Falls Road from the Papatowai Highway. There are signs posted at every turn off.

The falls are 1.75 hours from Invercargill, 20 minutes from Papatowai and 30 minutes to Kaka Point.

Other waterfalls in the Catlins

Koropuku Falls

These falls are very easy to miss as there is just a small sign on the side of the road and no official parking. The shoulder is a bit wider on the start of the track but barely. From what I’ve read, this is not a DOC maintained track but instead maintained by locals. It’s a 40 minute return track but can be boggy in some places and feels very remote so unless you’re confident in the forest, you may not want to go alone.

The falls itself are very gentle and not very tall so if you’re on a timeline this would be one to miss out.

Barrs Falls

By the time I got to Barrs Falls, I’ll admit I was a little waterfalled out and the rain started to pick up. Funnily enough though the best time to see these falls is when it is raining. Only a 5 minute walk in, the track takes you to two smaller waterfalls! Talk about little effort for big reward!

The falls are located on Barrs Falls Road right off the the Papatowai/Southern Scenic route highway. There is a sign posted.

WAIPOHATU WATERFALL TRACK

This waterfall track is a longer track in the Catlins Forest Park. It is a 6.5 km track taking about 3 hours leading to two waterfalls– the upper Waipohatu Falls – Pouriwai Falls and the Lower Waipohatu Falls – Punehu Falls. The track can be done as a loop track and has been recently upgraded with two new bridges. It is steep in some spots and good fitness is required. Being that is is in a rainforest, the track does get quite wet and it is not uncommon to be hiking through mud. I have yet to do this one but have read mixed reviews of whether it is worth it because of track conditions.

Olly from We Seek Travel has a great post on the waterfalls and the track! You can read that here.

Niagara Falls

No these falls are not at all like the beautiful Niagara Falls in North America. Not even close. These actually more like rapids so don’t be fooled by the name. They were name by someone wanting to have a laugh ironically name the least impressive ‘falls’ in the area after one of the most impressive ones in the world.

There are a few falls that I have found on google maps but no additional information. These include Margarget Falls, Langer Falls, Hairora Falls, Tawhiti Falls, Leckie Falls and MacLennan Falls.

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