Clutha Attractions

Penguin at Clutha beach

Clutha

Clutha has an amazing array of attractions and activities to explore and experience.

Clutha — Marvel at the three-tiered waterfall in Clutha

Ancient natural beauty

Pause for a picnic at pretty Lake Waihola, the country’s most inland tidal lake.
Wander through the wonderful Sinclair wetlands, a true community success story.
Visit the 25 million-year-old whale and dolphin fossils near Milburn
Walk the Catlins River-Wisp Loop Track, a five-hour walk through ancient forests, over rushing rivers and past delicate orchids
Visit a wonderful world of waterfalls with Purakaunui Falls, a spectacular triple tiered cascade waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest, the most famous of the six sites
Enjoy the amazing acoustics and grandeur of Cathedral Caves one of the planet’s largest sea cave complexes
Take a guided walk on the Catlins Traverse, a 3 night, 2 day guided walk through stunning forest & farmland

Find & book flights

Clutha — The trail follows the beautiful Clutha Mata-Au River

Gold mining heritage

Soak up the heritage of one of the original gold rush towns where that pioneer spirit still crackles through the air.
Cycle the Clutha Gold Trail along New Zealand’s mightiest river through gold mining towns and sites of early Maori heritage.
Visit Gabriels Gully where the first big nugget was found in 1861 sparking one of the largest and fastest ever gold rushes.

Clutha — Yellow eyed penguins (hoiho) are one of the rarest penguins in the world

Fascinating wildlife

Journey to Nugget Point to see fur seals, the world’s most endangered sea lions, one of the rarest penguins and the smallest dolphins.
Rare birdlife and birdsong in the rainforests of the Catlins Conservation park
The rightly renowned Surat and Cannibal bays to spot seals
Take a horse ride along along deserted beaches, through native forest and along beautiful farmland.

Where to next?

Dunedin

Central Otago

Southland