Catlins Sea Lions – More photos

For those of you (like me) who are just a little bit obsessed with sea lions, here are some additional photos. Please check out the other sea lion posts for more. A large male we called big nose!

Blackball and the Pike River Memorial

For a great half-day trip, head to the iconic West Coast town of Blackball, a small town approximately 29 km from Greymouth. Then carry on another 15km to the Pike River memorial

Jackson Bay – West Coast

Jackson Bay is a 24 km bay on the southern West Coast of the South Island. The 100 km round trip from Haast is well worth the detour, the road is sealed, and the scenery is stunning!

Punakaiki

A small village on the West Coast of the South Island, home to the Paparoa Park Visitor Center and Dolomite Point (directly opposite), the entrance to the Pancake Rocks.

Lake Paringa DOC camp

A small but beautiful camp site and picnic area on the shores of Lake Paringa.

Butchers Flat and Pear Tree Flat

If you are looking for a secluded camp site with a beautiful river and great swimming spots and walks try Butchers Flat.

Road end Cascade river

I had just finished a great book by Chris Long who grew up at Gorge River, a secluded place on the West Coast, approx half way between Haast in the North and Milford Sound in the South.

Helena Falls Beach – Long Point, Catlins

A hidden gem in the Catlins, this beautiful secluded beach is just a short walk from the carpark. The reserve was purchased in 2009 by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and the Ministry of Conservation’s Natural Heritage Fund. The trust has fenced off parts of the reserve and created a carpark and walking tracks. Forest and…

Purakaunui Falls

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.…