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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -46.50378, 169.70442. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 3 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 1 hr return via same track
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Catlins coastal area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Walk to a spectacular blowhole with exploding waves and roaring sound effects.
This DOC directory entry covers Jacks Blowhole 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: 3 km return via same track
- Walking time: 1 hr return via same track
- DOC grade: Easy
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
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the carpark at the south end of the beach, the track takes you up a gravelled track to spectacular views looking out towards penguin bay with the crashing waves.
Follow the staircase up to a picnic table and a viewing platform to look down into Jacks Blowhole. Along the track 200 m inland from the ocean the power of water can be seen and felt on stormy days as the waves crash in through the narrow caves entering Jacks Blowhole.
Getting there
Jacks Blowhole is about 10 km from Owaka. Turn off the main road into Pounawea Road and follow this for 850 m to the turn into Hinahina Road. Follow Hinahina Road for 6 km then turn into Jacks Bay Road.
Know before you go
Use the stiles rather than the gateways.
For your safety, do not lean on the fence or stand on or cross the hand rails.
History and culture
As with the bay and nearby island, Jacks Blowhole is named after the famed Ngāi Tahu chief, Tuhawaiki, known to early European settlers as Bloody Jack – apparently, he was fond of using the expletive.
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.
