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Many South Island itineraries skip the Catlins, and that's part of what makes it such a lovely place to visit. At Surat Bay, you can spot sea lions snoozing on the sand, while Curio Bay’s rock platform reveals a remarkable 180-million-year-old fossilised forest. Many Catlins camping grounds are also just a short stroll from the water. At Big Little Campers, we've road-tripped the South Island more times than we can count. Here's how to camp it properly in a campervan, from a Christchurch pickup to the southern end of the Southern Scenic Route. |
Quick SummaryThe best Catlins camping grounds for a campervan are Papatowai DOC campsite ($15 per adult) and Catlins Newhaven Holiday Park at Surat Bay. Kaka Point Camping Ground and Pounawea Motor Camp are solid picks too, as is the Whistling Frog at Chaslands. Starting from Christchurch, plan for about six days: spend a day getting to Oamaru, a day exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, two or three days in the Catlins, and then head to Curio Bay. For freedom camping, you’ll need a certified self-contained campervan with its own toilet and waste tanks. The Waikawa Recreation Reserve is a good choice if you need a permitted spot. Book DOC sites in advance, especially in summer, as they can’t accommodate campers who arrive without a reservation. Curio Bay Camping Ground has been closed since April 2026, with no updates on its reopening as of this guide's publication. So it’s a good idea to arrange a backup for that night. |
What Is the Southern Scenic Route?The Southern Scenic Route is a well-marked tourist drive stretching about 610 km between Queenstown and Dunedin. It winds through Fiordland and Invercargill before heading up the Catlins coast. Opened in 1988, the Catlins stretch between Invercargill and Balclutha is the highlight many visitors come to experience. You don't have to start in Queenstown. Pick up in Christchurch, the South Island's biggest airport, and drive south on State Highway 1. You join the route at Dunedin, with the Catlins as the main event. If you're flying in from the North Island, then Christchurch is the easiest gateway. If you've been comparing Dunedin motorhomes or Dunedin campervan terms lately, a Christchurch pickup saves you the hassle of sorting campervan hire in Dunedin. The same goes for campervan hire in Invercargill at the far end. Our Christchurch depot is just a few kilometres from the airport in Harewood. Pickups are set for 1pm by default, giving you plenty of time to reach Oamaru by dinner. |
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Christchurch to Curio Bay: A 6-Day Campervan ItineraryAllot six days for your Christchurch to Curio Bay itinerary without feeling rushed. That's roughly 600 km of driving, with no single day with over three and a half hours spent behind the wheel.
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Day 1: Christchurch to OamaruCollect your van in Harewood, stock up at Countdown on Memorial Avenue, two minutes from our depot, then head south on State Highway 1. Oamaru is 250 km away. Arrive by dusk, and watch little blue penguins come ashore at the Oamaru colony. Spend the night at Kakanui Camping Ground, a council-licensed campground on Waianakarua Road, a short drive south of Oamaru. Freedom camping is banned along the Kakanui coast, including Campbells Bay and All Day Bay, so book a site. Day 2: Moeraki, Dunedin and the Otago PeninsulaStop at the Moeraki Boulders on the 113 km run to Dunedin. Then head out to Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula, home to the world's only mainland royal albatross colony. If the weather turns, duck into Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in the Dunedin city centre. Finish with a walk along St Clair, the city's surf beach. For freedom camping in Dunedin, certified self-contained vans can park overnight on most gravelled or sealed council parking land. Designated areas are also available at Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve. |
Days 3 and 4: Nugget Point to PapatowaiThis is the heart of Catlins camping. From Dunedin it's about 1 hr 20 min to Kaka Point, where a 20-minute walk takes you out to the Nugget Point lighthouse. Surat Bay is about 20 minutes further, and sea lions often haul out on the beach there. Keep at least 20 m away, as the local council recommends. Day four is waterfalls and short walking tracks. Purakaunui Falls is a 10-minute walk from the car park. The gravel road to nearby Purakaunui Bay is one reason we'd pick The Little One for this coast. At 4.7 m long, it handles narrow roads and tight campground pitches. McLean Falls, near Chaslands, is about a 40-minute return drive. Cathedral Caves sits just south of McLean Falls. Access depends on the tide and swell, so gate times change daily. Entry is $15 for adults, paid by card, to cross Māori land. The caves usually close from June to October. Check the official Cathedral Caves website on the day, or ask at the Catlins Information Centre in Owaka. |
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Day 5: Curio Bay and the Southern CoastCurio Bay is the payoff. At low tide, you can walk across a petrified forest about 180 million years old. Next door at Porpoise Bay, Hector's dolphins often turn up in the surf, especially in summer. Stay into the evening and you might see hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) come ashore, so keep well back and out of their path. Slope Point, the South Island's southernmost point, is a 15-minute drive west. Heads up for this summer: As of the time of this publishing, Curio Bay camping remains temporarily closed. The campground has been closed since April 2026, and Southland District Council is still working out how to reopen it. Freedom camping isn't allowed at Curio Bay itself, so build Waikawa Recreation Reserve, 5 km back up the road, into your travel plans. It takes certified self-contained vans. Day 6 (Optional): Invercargill and BluffInvercargill is about 85 km from Curio Bay, roughly 1 hr 15 min. Carry on to Bluff for the Stirling Point signpost. From there, you can head back up State Highway 1 to Christchurch, or continue along the Southern Scenic Route to Te Anau and Queenstown. Our Christchurch to Queenstown guide can help you plan the drive home from there. For freedom camping near Invercargill, Fortrose is a council site with a limit of two nights within 30 days. |
The Best Catlins Camping Grounds for CampervansPapatowai DOC campsite is the best-value base in the Catlins at $15 per adult per night. For powered sites with sea lions on the doorstep, Catlins Newhaven Holiday Park has camping sites from $45. |
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DOC campsites like Papatowai don't hold spaces for walk-ins. Mobile coverage can also be a bit patchy, so it’s a good idea to book online before you lose signal. Older guides may still list Purakaunui Bay as a campervan spot, but DOC now says its wet, ungravelled ground isn’t suitable for campervans. You can still enjoy a day visit and the surf beach, then spend the night at Papatowai, about 35 minutes south. |
Can You Freedom Camp in the Catlins?Yes, but only in a certified self-contained campervan, and not in the townships or at the busiest coastal spots. The rules also shift halfway down the coast, because the area is split between Clutha District in the north and Southland District in the south. Self-contained means the van has a fixed toilet, fresh and waste water tanks and a lidded bin. That's enough to live in it for three days without dumping waste.
You can't book freedom camping spots in advance. They also tend to fill quickly in summer, so arrive early. Every BLC van carries a green self-containment certificate, so you're covered from pickup. Our South Island freedom camping guide covers the broader rules, and our self-contained campervan explainer shows what the certificate covers. |
Southern Scenic Route FAQsAre there any campgrounds in the Catlins?Yes. Catlins campgrounds include DOC campsites at Papatowai and Purakaunui Bay, plus holiday parks at Kaka Point, Surat Bay, Pounawea and Chaslands. Purakaunui Bay is currently unsuitable for campervans, and Curio Bay's campground has been closed since April 2026. Where is the best place to stay in the Catlins?Owaka is the best base for the northern Catlins, with Nugget Point and Purakaunui Falls both within about 30 minutes. Papatowai suits the central waterfalls and Cathedral Caves, while Waikawa is closest to Curio Bay. How many days do you need in the Catlins?Plan two to three days. That covers Nugget Point, the waterfalls, Cathedral Caves at low tide and an evening at Curio Bay without spending the whole time driving. How long is the drive from Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins?Allow about three and a half hours of driving for roughly 250 km. Most people spread it over two or three days, because the best stops sit off the main road. What is there to do in Curio Bay?Walk the petrified forest at low tide and look for Hector's dolphins in Porpoise Bay. Near dusk, yellow-eyed penguins come ashore. Porpoise Bay is also a sheltered beach for swimming and surfing. What are some good campgrounds in Dunedin?Camping in Dunedin, New Zealand, is easy, starting with the holiday park beside St Kilda beach. Designated freedom camping areas are also available at Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve. Certified self-contained vans can also park overnight on most gravelled or sealed council parking land. |
ReferencesClutha District Council. (n.d.). Camping in Clutha. https://www.cluthadc.govt.nz/recreation/camping-in-clutha Department of Conservation. (n.d.). Papatowai campsite. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/papatowai-campsite/ Rosenberg, M. (2026, October 9). Popular seaside campground at risk of being closed for summer. 1News. https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/09/popular-seaside-campground-at-risk-of-being-closed-for-summer/ Southland District Council. (n.d.). Freedom camping need to know. https://southlanddc.govt.nz/services/freedom-camping/freedom-camping-need-to-know/ |
Plan Your Catlins Road Trip From Christchurch
Six days from Christchurch is enough to camp the Catlins without rushing. Book your DOC nights early, and let the tide times shape your afternoons.
BLC was created by travellers, for travellers.
Book now and we'll talk you through the route at handover, from Kakanui to Waikawa.
See our Christchurch depot page for pickup details, or find more routes in the South Island planning guide.
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Many South Island itineraries skip the Catlins, and that's part of what makes it such a lovely place to visit. At Surat Bay, you can spot sea lions snoozing on the sand, while Curio Bay’s rock platform reveals a remarkable 180-million-year-old fossilised forest. Many Catlins camping grounds are also just a short stroll from the water. At Big Little Campers, we've road-tripped the South Island more times than we can count. Here's how to camp it properly in a campervan, from a Christchurch pickup to the southern end of the Southern Scenic Route. |
Quick SummaryThe best Catlins camping grounds for a campervan are Papatowai DOC campsite ($15 per adult) and Catlins Newhaven Holiday Park at Surat Bay. Kaka Point Camping Ground and Pounawea Motor Camp are solid picks too, as is the Whistling Frog at Chaslands. Starting from Christchurch, plan for about six days: spend a day getting to Oamaru, a day exploring Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, two or three days in the Catlins, and then head to Curio Bay. For freedom camping, you’ll need a certified self-contained campervan with its own toilet and waste tanks. The Waikawa Recreation Reserve is a good choice if you need a permitted spot. Book DOC sites in advance, especially in summer, as they can’t accommodate campers who arrive without a reservation. Curio Bay Camping Ground has been closed since April 2026, with no updates on its reopening as of this guide's publication. So it’s a good idea to arrange a backup for that night. |
What Is the Southern Scenic Route?The Southern Scenic Route is a well-marked tourist drive stretching about 610 km between Queenstown and Dunedin. It winds through Fiordland and Invercargill before heading up the Catlins coast. Opened in 1988, the Catlins stretch between Invercargill and Balclutha is the highlight many visitors come to experience. You don't have to start in Queenstown. Pick up in Christchurch, the South Island's biggest airport, and drive south on State Highway 1. You join the route at Dunedin, with the Catlins as the main event. If you're flying in from the North Island, then Christchurch is the easiest gateway. If you've been comparing Dunedin motorhomes or Dunedin campervan terms lately, a Christchurch pickup saves you the hassle of sorting campervan hire in Dunedin. The same goes for campervan hire in Invercargill at the far end. Our Christchurch depot is just a few kilometres from the airport in Harewood. Pickups are set for 1pm by default, giving you plenty of time to reach Oamaru by dinner. |
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Christchurch to Curio Bay: A 6-Day Campervan ItineraryAllot six days for your Christchurch to Curio Bay itinerary without feeling rushed. That's roughly 600 km of driving, with no single day with over three and a half hours spent behind the wheel.
|
|
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Day 1: Christchurch to OamaruCollect your van in Harewood, stock up at Countdown on Memorial Avenue, two minutes from our depot, then head south on State Highway 1. Oamaru is 250 km away. Arrive by dusk, and watch little blue penguins come ashore at the Oamaru colony. Spend the night at Kakanui Camping Ground, a council-licensed campground on Waianakarua Road, a short drive south of Oamaru. Freedom camping is banned along the Kakanui coast, including Campbells Bay and All Day Bay, so book a site. Day 2: Moeraki, Dunedin and the Otago PeninsulaStop at the Moeraki Boulders on the 113 km run to Dunedin. Then head out to Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula, home to the world's only mainland royal albatross colony. If the weather turns, duck into Toitū Otago Settlers Museum in the Dunedin city centre. Finish with a walk along St Clair, the city's surf beach. For freedom camping in Dunedin, certified self-contained vans can park overnight on most gravelled or sealed council parking land. Designated areas are also available at Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve. |
Days 3 and 4: Nugget Point to PapatowaiThis is the heart of Catlins camping. From Dunedin it's about 1 hr 20 min to Kaka Point, where a 20-minute walk takes you out to the Nugget Point lighthouse. Surat Bay is about 20 minutes further, and sea lions often haul out on the beach there. Keep at least 20 m away, as the local council recommends. Day four is waterfalls and short walking tracks. Purakaunui Falls is a 10-minute walk from the car park. The gravel road to nearby Purakaunui Bay is one reason we'd pick The Little One for this coast. At 4.7 m long, it handles narrow roads and tight campground pitches. McLean Falls, near Chaslands, is about a 40-minute return drive. Cathedral Caves sits just south of McLean Falls. Access depends on the tide and swell, so gate times change daily. Entry is $15 for adults, paid by card, to cross Māori land. The caves usually close from June to October. Check the official Cathedral Caves website on the day, or ask at the Catlins Information Centre in Owaka. |
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Day 5: Curio Bay and the Southern CoastCurio Bay is the payoff. At low tide, you can walk across a petrified forest about 180 million years old. Next door at Porpoise Bay, Hector's dolphins often turn up in the surf, especially in summer. Stay into the evening and you might see hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins) come ashore, so keep well back and out of their path. Slope Point, the South Island's southernmost point, is a 15-minute drive west. Heads up for this summer: As of the time of this publishing, Curio Bay camping remains temporarily closed. The campground has been closed since April 2026, and Southland District Council is still working out how to reopen it. Freedom camping isn't allowed at Curio Bay itself, so build Waikawa Recreation Reserve, 5 km back up the road, into your travel plans. It takes certified self-contained vans. Day 6 (Optional): Invercargill and BluffInvercargill is about 85 km from Curio Bay, roughly 1 hr 15 min. Carry on to Bluff for the Stirling Point signpost. From there, you can head back up State Highway 1 to Christchurch, or continue along the Southern Scenic Route to Te Anau and Queenstown. Our Christchurch to Queenstown guide can help you plan the drive home from there. For freedom camping near Invercargill, Fortrose is a council site with a limit of two nights within 30 days. |
The Best Catlins Camping Grounds for CampervansPapatowai DOC campsite is the best-value base in the Catlins at $15 per adult per night. For powered sites with sea lions on the doorstep, Catlins Newhaven Holiday Park has camping sites from $45. |
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DOC campsites like Papatowai don't hold spaces for walk-ins. Mobile coverage can also be a bit patchy, so it’s a good idea to book online before you lose signal. Older guides may still list Purakaunui Bay as a campervan spot, but DOC now says its wet, ungravelled ground isn’t suitable for campervans. You can still enjoy a day visit and the surf beach, then spend the night at Papatowai, about 35 minutes south. |
Can You Freedom Camp in the Catlins?Yes, but only in a certified self-contained campervan, and not in the townships or at the busiest coastal spots. The rules also shift halfway down the coast, because the area is split between Clutha District in the north and Southland District in the south. Self-contained means the van has a fixed toilet, fresh and waste water tanks and a lidded bin. That's enough to live in it for three days without dumping waste.
You can't book freedom camping spots in advance. They also tend to fill quickly in summer, so arrive early. Every BLC van carries a green self-containment certificate, so you're covered from pickup. Our South Island freedom camping guide covers the broader rules, and our self-contained campervan explainer shows what the certificate covers. |
Southern Scenic Route FAQsAre there any campgrounds in the Catlins?Yes. Catlins campgrounds include DOC campsites at Papatowai and Purakaunui Bay, plus holiday parks at Kaka Point, Surat Bay, Pounawea and Chaslands. Purakaunui Bay is currently unsuitable for campervans, and Curio Bay's campground has been closed since April 2026. Where is the best place to stay in the Catlins?Owaka is the best base for the northern Catlins, with Nugget Point and Purakaunui Falls both within about 30 minutes. Papatowai suits the central waterfalls and Cathedral Caves, while Waikawa is closest to Curio Bay. How many days do you need in the Catlins?Plan two to three days. That covers Nugget Point, the waterfalls, Cathedral Caves at low tide and an evening at Curio Bay without spending the whole time driving. How long is the drive from Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins?Allow about three and a half hours of driving for roughly 250 km. Most people spread it over two or three days, because the best stops sit off the main road. What is there to do in Curio Bay?Walk the petrified forest at low tide and look for Hector's dolphins in Porpoise Bay. Near dusk, yellow-eyed penguins come ashore. Porpoise Bay is also a sheltered beach for swimming and surfing. What are some good campgrounds in Dunedin?Camping in Dunedin, New Zealand, is easy, starting with the holiday park beside St Kilda beach. Designated freedom camping areas are also available at Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve. Certified self-contained vans can also park overnight on most gravelled or sealed council parking land. |
ReferencesClutha District Council. (n.d.). Camping in Clutha. https://www.cluthadc.govt.nz/recreation/camping-in-clutha Department of Conservation. (n.d.). Papatowai campsite. https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/otago/places/catlins-coastal-area/things-to-do/papatowai-campsite/ Rosenberg, M. (2026, October 9). Popular seaside campground at risk of being closed for summer. 1News. https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/09/popular-seaside-campground-at-risk-of-being-closed-for-summer/ Southland District Council. (n.d.). Freedom camping need to know. https://southlanddc.govt.nz/services/freedom-camping/freedom-camping-need-to-know/ |
Plan Your Catlins Road Trip From Christchurch
Six days from Christchurch is enough to camp the Catlins without rushing. Book your DOC nights early, and let the tide times shape your afternoons.
BLC was created by travellers, for travellers.
Book now and we'll talk you through the route at handover, from Kakanui to Waikawa.
See our Christchurch depot page for pickup details, or find more routes in the South Island planning guide.
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