Begin with a pickup from your accommodation in Invercargill and head east toward the rugged Catlins coast. As the city gives way to rolling farmland and dense native forest, listen as your guide shares insights into the region’s unique history, geology, and wildlife.

Make your first major stop at Curio Bay, where you’ll walk across the fossilized remains of a 180-million-year-old petrified forest—visible at low tide. Keep an eye out for rare yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) and playful Hector’s dolphins in the surf.

Pause in the quiet Catlins village of Papatowai for lunch (own expense) and a visit to the delightfully quirky Lost Gypsy Caravan, a gallery of handmade kinetic art and curiosities that’s sure to amuse and inspire.

Take a short, easy walk through lush native bush to reach Purakaunui Falls, one of New Zealand’s most photographed waterfalls. This beautiful multi-tiered cascade is a tranquil highlight in the heart of the Catlins.

Next, make your way to the dramatic Nugget Point Lighthouse, perched high above the ocean. Enjoy a short scenic walk to the viewpoint, where you can spot seals sunbathing on the rocks and seabirds soaring above the iconic “nugget” sea stacks below.

Conclude the journey in Dunedin with drop-offs at your central accommodation. Rich in heritage and surrounded by natural beauty, Dunedin is a vibrant southern city – and a perfect place to continue your South Island adventure.