Wed, 11th Mar, 2026 (part1) Owaka Tavern free camp, Owaka to Recreation Reserve free camp, Waikawa, NZ (Waterfalls, beach & Maxims Cave) (Beau’s birthday)

5 degrees min. The heater is taking a long time to warm up the camper this morning. A low fog is on the ground and there is a pretty orange colour in the clouds as the sun rises.

Sent off a message to Annalise to give Beau a hug from us for his 2^nd birthday today. He is such a little man now.

We headed off with the fog still low ahead off us. The car says it is only 3 degrees outside!

Drove along the other side of Catlins Lake.

Steve tried to wipe the windscreen and there is no water in the wiper water - so much for doing a ‘full service’ before we got the camper.

Across Catlins River then left to head to Purakaunui Falls.

Lovely rolling green hills with cows and sheep.

Pulled into a big carpark with toilet, so must be a popular waterfall. We are the first here though which is good. Great info map.

Across the road for the 10 min walk to Purakaunui Falls. Nice walk with lots of birds singing their morning songs. Cute little waterfall to start.

Continued on to a viewing platform that had no view.

Then down the steps to the bottom of the falls. Much nicer.

Walked further around - more water falling further over past the trees.

Back up and out to the carpark - 4 vehicles have just pulled in.

I saw the road headed across to the next falls so headed that way. Unfortunately it became gravel but was ok. More rolling hills of grazing fields. Down the hillside to Matai and Horseshoe Falls which only has a small carpark. No one here again - yeah.

The two falls here are both in the same creek. More birdsong to entertain us as we walked through the enchanted forest - well that’s what it felt like.

Took the track down to the rail cutting - don’t think we will walk the rail trail today. Interesting tree trunk. Bit of history on the way.

More info but not much to see.

Back up the track to the waterfall path and continued on to turn off to Matai Falls first. Along then down to the creek below the falls.

Very nice. Spotted an old water pipe that probably was used to take the water down to the rail line for the steam train.

Back up the steps. View down to the falls.

Continued on towards Horseshoe Falls. View from lookout - more water dribbling off the ledges from the recent rain. Nice falls, named for the curved rock shelf around the end of the cliff.

Back up the steps and we warmed up as we did the climb back to the camper. A group of locals were heading down to do some clearing on the rail trail.

Continued on the main road down hill. Pretty view.

We have been across lots of one-lane bridges that have good signs on who should give way.

Another one lane bridge for this is a smaller river that flows into the Maclennan River a bit further on.

Along the edge of the Maclennan River as heads out to Tahakopa Bay.

Into Papatowai - ‘where forest meets the sea’. Small village. We continued down to the river mouth picnic ground for a cuppa.

Info about the fossils here.

There are a few walks from here.

We wandered down by the river. Looking back to the main bridge we came over (I didn’t get a photo when we crossed it).

Onto the beach at the river mouth. The sun is out and we are nice and warm at last.

Found some Paua (Abalone) and other shells as we headed around to the Picnic Point.

Probably a good fishing spot off the rocks here. Interesting formations.

Our little collection which we will leave for someone else.

Back to the camper and out to Chasland Highway. Continued along up the winding highway. Fabulous view from Florence Hill Lookout.

Down the hill to Tautuku Beach. If the tide is low you can walk along to another rock cave called Maxims, Wikicamps info says. Down another gravel track down to the beach. Stopped in a good parking area before the track that allows vehicle access onto the beach.

We parked and walked onto the beach.

We turned to the left and continued around the base of the hill. Saw a sign but it was just a ‘no dog’ sign as there could be penguins etc. Spotted a small seal - not sure if it was still alive.

Continued on then found Maxim’s Cave. Nice but smells of kelp.

Looking out from the cave.

View north then down the beach over Tautuku Bay.

Well hidden cave.

Showing off my new ‘Temu’ leggings. Very comfortable and warm.

As we headed back I noticed a gap in the hill that I saw from Florence Hill LO.

Back to the camper and continued on a bit then stopped to do the Lake Wilkie walk. Nice view over the lake.

Down the hill - lots of birdsong still even with the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach. Onto the boardwalk. Fabulous reflections. Lots of tadpoles in the water.

Another couple were wandering back ahead of us and pointed out a very tiny frog to a group of school students heading down to the lake. It was very small.