Cathedral Caves and McLean Falls are on opposite sides of the main highway through the Catlins - be sure to visit them both.
You can only visit Cathedral Caves(opens in new window) at low tide. These series of majestic sea caves have been formed by wave action over thousands of years. The journey to the caves begins with a walk through the forest to Waipati Beach.
With 200 metres of tunnels reaching heights of 30 metres these are one the most impressive sea cave complexes in the World. They got their name thanks to their amazing acoustics and grandeur which are like walking into a Cathedral. So go on test your singing voice. Mother nature rules here so for safety, the access gate to Cathedral Caves opens two hours before low tide and is closed again one hour after, depending on daily sea conditions. Access to the caves is across private Māori land, so there is a small charge.
There are many wonderful waterfalls in the Catlins region, and McLean Falls is one of the most spectacular. A beautiful bush walk leads to the bridal veil-like cascade over dark mossy rocks, as the falls plummet more than 20 metres into a deep gorge. You may even see wild goats which roam the rainforest.