Beautiful Purakaunui Falls: The 22m falls are located on the Tautuku River in Catlins Conservation Park and are often described as the most spectacular in the region. The walk to the falls is very pleasant, passing through a variety of forests and shrub types such as huge tree fuchsia, stands of olearia, and podocarp forests.

The beautiful Purakaunui Falls

A ten minute walk on an excellent track brings you to the best known of the Caltins forest waterfalls, located in a small reserve of mixed podcast and beech forest.

There is a good platform to view the falls

You can also climb on some of the rocks below the platform.

The 22m falls are located on the Tautuku River.

The platform is a good spot to take photos.

Getting there:

Purakaunui Falls can be accessed from two roads off the Papatowai Highway. Turn off onto Purakaunui Falls Road 6.3 km south of Owaka (sealed road to the carpark), or turn off onto Warnock Road 10.8 km south of Owaka (sealed road to Warnock Road, then gravel). The falls are signposted at both turn offs.

The Purakaunui Falls car park has a picnic area with toilets.