Catlins River Track: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

An attractive, forest-lined river walk of that follows the Catlins River.

This DOC directory entry covers Catlins River Track in Otago, within Catlins coastal area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 12 km one way
• Walking time: 5-6 hr one way
• DOC grade: Advanced

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The Catlins River Walk is a well formed tramping track following the Catlins River between The Wisp and the Tawanui camping ground. There are a few short steep grades and can be walked in sections, via connecting tracks from the forestry road.

Sections of the track can be walked independently of the others, as there are many entry/exit points along the way.

Section walking times:

• Tawanui to Franks Creek – 2.5 hr

• Franks Creek to Wallis Stream – 1.5 hr

• Wallis Stream to The Wisp – 1 hr

The first part of the track is through exotic forest which soon gives way to silver beech. Over the length of the track four wire-rope suspension bridges cross the Catlins River with it many waterfalls and rapids.

There are opportunities to see rare birds such as the rifleman and möhua/yellowhead. At the Tawanui end many of the silver beech trees host the native mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi. In December/January it is worth looking out for this hemi-parasite’s impressive scarlet flowers.

Side tracks

Wisp Loop Walk

The 4-5 hour higher-altitude Wisp Loop Walk forms a loop with the Catlins River Walk. At the end of the walk there is a picnic area with a toilet.

The Wisp Loop returns along the forestry roads and this could be mountain biked separately.

Rocky Knoll

The Rocky Knoll extension track on the Rata Range is a side route that runs off the Wisp Loop Walk. It gives extensive views to the coast and over the inland Catlins.

The track has easy walking along foresty roads, where you will see plantation radiata pine, douglas fir, eucalyptus forest, silver beech forest and sub-alpine vegetation.

Getting there

South of Owaka on the Southern Scenic Route SH92, turn right onto Catlins Valley Road, right onto Morris Saddle Road, then left at cattle-stop.

• Road access to The Wisp is via the Chloris Pass Road from the Owaka Valley.

• Road access to the Tawanui Camping ground is via an extension of Catlins Valley Road or Morris Saddle Road from Owaka Valley.

Know before you go

• Rocky Knoll Loop may occasionally close because of forestry operations. Check with the DOC Owaka office +64 3 419 1000 or Rayonier Southland +64 3 211 1290 before setting out .

• Rocky Knoll Walk has exposed sections - check the weather before setting out.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.