Many travellers include the Catlins experience after visiting Fiordland and Milford Sound. They make an excellent inclusion in the loop back to Christchurch. The Catlins, are an easy day’s drive from Te Anau, Invercargill, Queenstown or Wanaka. Just follow the Southern Scenic Route signs down State Highway 99 to State Highway 92 at Invercargill.
The Catlins McLean Falls Holiday Park is conveniently located 600 meters before the Cathedral Caves entrance, when heading south toward Invercargill. Look for the DOC sign (Department of Conservation) on the Southern Scenic Route that indicates the "McLean Falls" turnoff on Rewcastle Road. The Camp is right in front of you. Access is off Rewcastle Road.
We are located in the geographical centre of the Catlins Coastal Rainforest Park. This remote part of the Catlins is known as “ Chaslands” and was the last place in New Zealand to receive electricity from the national grid in the 1960’s. So we are literally in the Hidden Valley of the Catlins.
The camp is strategically located on the recently tarsealed and upgraded Southern Scenic Route, so driving is easy. Our farm and campground is at the entrance to the McLean Falls (considered by many to be the most spectacular in the Catlins) and a short 600 meters to the entrance of the tidal dependent Cathedral Caves.
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Travel Times and Distances to our favourite iconic attractions from the "Whistling Frog Resort":
Nugget Point- 47km (45 minutes)
Tunnel Hill- 38km (35 minutes)
Papatowai- 15km (12 minutes)
Tautuku Beach- 9km (7 minutes)
Tautuku Estuary Boardwalk- 5km (4 minutes)
Historical Logging Site- 5km (4 minutes)
Lake Wilkie- 6km (5 minutes)
Cathedral Caves- 400m (3 minutes)
McLean Falls- 3km (5 minutes)
Curio Bay- 40km (30 minutes)
Slope Point- 50km (40 minutes)
Waipapa Point- 62km (1 hour)
Invercargill (inland via Tokanui)- 92km (1.15 hour)
Invercargill (coastal route via Curio Bay)-
107km (1.35 hour)