Anchorage is situated in Waikawa, gateway to Curio Bay on The Catlins coast.
It is on the Southern Scenic Route, just a 2-hour drive from Dunedin Airport.
Anchorage is the following distance by road from these locations:
Anchorage
52 Antrim Street, Waikawa,
The Catlins, Southland, New Zealand
021 128 0174
theanchoragewaikawa@gmail.com
027 278 9585
Well signposted from the Catlins River bridge, the easy 10min walk takes you to the falls, probably the most photographed in The Catlins. From the car park to the first lookout, the track is suitable for wheelchairs. Toilets are available at the car park. Check out the Department of Conservation website for more information on tracks: www.doc.govt.nz
Access to the caves is across Maori land, for which there is a small charge. From the car park, the track takes you through Kamahi Forest down to Waipati Beach, where the 30m-high caves can be found at the northern end. In the event of unsafe access or tidal conditions, the access gate will remain closed in the interest of public safety. Tide times are displayed at the shop at Papatowai, the Catlins Information Centre and the Dolphin Visitor Centre at Waikawa.
Access to these falls is off Rewcastle Rd, 1km south of the Cathedral Caves turnoff, with the easy track taking you through scrub land and forest to the 22m falls on the Tautuku River. Allow 40min return for the walk.
This is an area of international significance, where an area of petrified forest can be seen at low tide. In places, whole tree trunks can be seen among the rock shelves. The 160 million-year-old fossilised forest includes conifer trees similar to Norfolk pines and kauri. Curio Bay is in the southern area of The Catlins, with further information on the local area's attractions available from the Dolphin Information Centre at Waikawa.
This is a new and unique museum experience based around the fortified forest and geological history of the region. Also includes a cafeteria and restaurant with a wide choice of food and beverages.
Jack's Bay is on the southern side of the Newhaven Estuary. A 30min walk across farmland takes you to Jack's Blowhole, about 200m from the sea. The blowhole was formed when part of the ceiling of the sea cavern collapsed. Best viewing is at high tide, particularly in stormy weather.