Discover gold country gems in Gabriel’s Gully with Jess

Jess fills you with enthusiasm relating her stories of gold mining women, hidden walks and Chinese miners chasing gold.

Meet Jess from Tuapeka Goldfields Museum and Visitor Centre

Rekindle romance & roast marshmallows at Cascade Creek

Enjoy marshmallows and hot chocolates by the fire, hot tubs under the stars, a personal chef and, get this, hand-knitted slippers from the wool off the farm.

Meet Janene from Cascade Creek Retreat

Earthlore - eco-tourism with echoes of yesteryear

Meet the creatures of the dark - bats in trees and insects under rocks. A real adventure for families and nature lovers alike.

Meet Gordon and Janine from Earthlore

Rest your wheels. Revive your mind with Gary and Jas at Goldpark Motorcamp

Meet Gary and Jas, together they run the motorcamp, which attracts bikers, hikers and campers alike.

Meet Gary and Jas from Goldpark Motorcamp

Stay with Jude on the mighty Mata-Au

The quintessential charm of Mata-Au Lodge is it’s just like your home.

Meet Jude from Mata-Au Lodge

Yellow-eyed penguins, sea lion safaris and more with Catlins Mohua Park Scenic and Wildlife Tours

If you’re an early bird in The Catlins, there are a few experiences not to be missed - the sun rising over the rocks at Nugget Point and a bush-hopping ATV tour by Mohua Park.

Meet Lyndon from Mohua Park

Meet Penny at the Pickled Pigeon

When people arrive here, there's a bottle of wine on the table, there's chocolates on the table, there’s milk in the fridge... Everything to make them feel at home.

Meet Penny from Pickled Pigeon Cottage

Jude, has beds, moves bikes.

Originally planning to stay for a few months, Jude fell in love with Clutha and hasn’t looked back – that was 30 years ago.

Read Jude's Story

Carol creates a buzz in Papatowai.

Carol is a born and bred Catlins local. She runs The Little Rocket coffee caravan alongside the Lost Gypsy in Papatowai. 

Read Carol's Story

Lyndon finds you the wildlife.

He may or may not have lost a finger to a close encounter with a sea lion (spoiler alert – he didn’t), but Lyndon McKenzie doesn’t let anything slow him down.

Read Lyndon's Story

John collects everything.

John and his wife visited Lawrence for a cycling weekend seven years ago, and within 4 months were living here. It’s a common theme in the district- those who come for a visit, fall in love and stay.

Read John's Story

Tracey - in the know in Lawrence.

Tracey is a woman with a plan. Well, a map at least. And brochures - of Lawrence, the Catlins and the many other amazing things on offer in Clutha.

Read Tracey's Story

Meet Mike, the local history buff.

If you’re a history buff, Mike McPhee is the man to talk to.

Read Mike's Story

Tom punts people across the Clutha.

Tom Jones may not have a stage in Vegas, but he's centre stage in Tuapeka Mouth!

Read Tom's Story

Meet Blair, the master creative.

Papatowai is a small village in the heart of The Catlins. It’s here you’ll find Blair Somerville at the rustic Lost Gypsy Curios and Coffee.

Read Blair's Story

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