Waipohatu Walk | The Catlins Waterfalls
Explore two lesser known Catlins waterfalls on the Waipohatu Walk. The hike to Punehu and Pouriwai Falls is tough but rewarding. And yes, the kids will like it too.
This is only one of many great waterfall walks in the Catlins Forest Park. Uniquely, this walk features not just one but TWO waterfalls. It’s also quite a hidden gem, of the 3 plus times I’ve hiked this trail, I’ve NEVER seen another person there. Many people don’t know this, but you can also picnic or freedom camp at the trailhead here too. Talk about a bang for your buck.
Fun fact: This land was used for saw milling in the 1960’s and the picnic area was previously a skid site where logs were hauled and loaded for transport. There’s also a short track, opposite the toilets, that leads to an old Fordson tractor log hauler.
Punehu Falls (left) and Pouriwai Falls (right)
Trail Description
| Difficulty | Distance | Trail Type | Elevation Gain | Time | Family Friendly |
| Moderate | 6 km | out-and-back or loop | 200 m | 2 hours | ★★★☆☆ |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Distance | 6 kilometers |
| Trail Type | out-and-back or loop |
| Elevation Gain | 200 meters |
| Time | 2 hours |
| Family Friendly | ★★★☆☆ |
This is the shortest route to Punehu and Pouriwai Falls. Completing the full loop track will extend your walk to 6.5km. Starting from the Forest Walk Track will add an additional 2 kilometers and half hour of walking.
The Waipohatu Road leads to the Waipohatu Picnic Area where you will find the car park and trailhead for two different walks: the Waipohatu Waterfall Track and the Forest Walk Track. You may join these two walks together or do them separately. If you’d like to do the Forest Walk Track, that will add approximately a half hour to your walk. To do this, park in the first gravel car park closest to the toilet, where there is a signpost stating Waipohatu Picnic Area.
Are you looking for the fastest route possible like me? Then bypass the Forest Walk and drive to the second gravel parking area just another minute up the road. You know you’re in the right spot when you see two picnic tables where the road circles around into a loop.
Waipohatu Picnic Area on Waikawa Forest Conservation Land
Behind the picnic table to the left are a few wooden posts leading you to a dirt road, suitable for foot traffic only. If it’s recently rained, this area will likely be flooded out and very muddy. Just a small taste of what’s to come. I hope you brought waterproof shoes! A very helpful homemade sign will point you in the correct direction.
Walk approximately 200 meters to the official DOC Trailhead signs on the left, where you will enter the thick forest and begin.
Summertime is a great time of year for this walk as it’s mostly shaded from both the sun and wind. This area of the Waikawa Forest is quite dense, isolated and over grown. Don’t be surprised if spiderwebs are hitting you in the face, you’re bushwhacking through shoulder high fern leaves, or ducking down to avoid tree branches stabbing your eyes.
For about 15 minutes, the trail follows directly alongside the Waipohatu River. There will be a few small water crossings, but logs and rocks are strategically placed so you don’t necessarily have to get your feet wet. Unless you have poor balance like I do and step in the water on accident, oops!
About 20 minutes into the walk, you’ll come across one short bridge crossing and then you’re straight back into the bush. Tiny bits of sunlight peek through the tree tops, but rarely enough to let the ground fully dry. So there’s LOTS of mud. Have I said that yet?
After an hour of steady climbing through the trees, you’ll come to this sign. Take the left path towards the waterfalls. Listen closely and you might even be able to hear them by now.
DOC sign near the waterfalls. This is where you can choose to do the loop or walk straight back to the parking area.
Within 5 minutes, you’ll come to an intersection with the option to go left or right. There will be a very tiny orange sign nailed to a tree, pictured below. Punehu Falls (short and wide) is to the left and Pouriwai Falls (tall and skinny) is to the right. It’s completely up to you which one you decide to explore first, but definitely go see both. Each side trail is an out-and-back walk returning to this spot.
I like to save the best for last, so I chose to go left towards Punehu Falls first. Take your time on the descent because those stairs are very wet and slippery. You’ll also need to walk over unstable pieces of wood and use both of your hands to help lift you up in some places. I was carrying a 1 year on my back so I definitely appreciated having another person there with me to assist. After about 5 minutes you’ll arrive to the base of the lower Waipohatu Falls.
Mere steps away from Punehu Falls. A balancing act walking over these strategically placed logs.
Unfortunately there are a lot of fallen trees blocking your view, so you’ll want to do a bit of climbing around to find the best spot. Punehu Falls is about 7 meters tall and about 12 meters wide. There also isn’t much room to stop for a snack break here, so we quickly carried on to the next waterfall after this.
Return the way you came, climbing back up the stairs until you reach the Waipohatu Waterfalls intersection. This time, go to the right and 5 minutes later you’ll arrive to the base of the Upper Waipohatu Waterfall, Pouriwai Falls. Similar terrain to the other path, but this one involves an optional water crossing. I say it’s optional, but you won’t get the full view of the waterfall unless you do it. Please do not attempt this during or after rain, especially if you’re not confident you can cross safely. The water is often faster and deeper than it looks.
Pouriwai Falls is 10 meters tall and definitely worth the trek. It is so slippery in this area, but there’s a lot more places to sit and marvel at the view while you snack. When you’re ready to leave, simply return the way you came.
The upper Waipohatu waterfall, Pouriwai Falls.
Carry on for aproximately 10 minutes, go past the orange signed intersection, and go back to the DOC sign stating 1hr 20min to carpark. From here, you may go back the way you came (1hr) or complete the loop track (1hr 20min). The rest of the loop is relatively flat and boring since you’re just in more overgrown bush and on a dirt road for majority of the time. Making this an out-and-back hike instead of a loop is ultimately faster. To shorten the walk, go the OPPOSITE direction to the sign and return the way you already walked. You’ll make it back to the parking area in just under an hour. Overall, our trip took about 2 and a half hours including photo and lunch breaks.
Know Before You Go:
Water crossings may be flooded out or impassible after rainfall.
Sections of this trail are extremely slippery.
You will very likely be ankle deep in mud.
Bring sandfly repellent.
Leashed dogs are permitted.
Freedom camping is allowed in the Waipohatu Picnic Conservation Area. Always double check the latest DOC freedom camping rules.
We had cell service at the trailhead, but not at the waterfalls.
Directions from Invercargill (1hr)
From Invercargill, head Southeast on the Gorge Road-Invercargill Highway / Southern Scenic Route for about 40 kilometers. Then turn right on Moray Terrace, following signs for the Curio Bay / Coastal Route. 600 meters later, turn right on Neva Street which soon turns into Fortrose-Otara Road. Stay on this highway for about 25 kilometers before taking a left turn onto Waipohatu Road. This gravel road leads you to the Waipohatu Picnic and Conservation Area in approximately 5 minutes.
Other Trails Near The Waipohatu Track
The Catlins Conservation Area is filled with walks for all experience levels.
Purakaunui Falls Walk: 0.6km | 20m | 15min
McLean Falls Walk: 1.8km | 70m | 30min
Slope Point Walk: 1.6km | 40m | 25min
Curio Bay / Petrified Forest Trail: 1.9km | 20m | 25min
Waipapa Lighthouse Trail: 0.8km | 5m | 10min
Jack’s Blowhole Track: 2.7km | 120m | 1hr
Disclaimer: Please adventure at your own risk. The author of this article is not liable for any injuries or damage that may occur. It is up to the individual to determine their own capabilities and limits, and to thoroughly research before venturing into the great outdoors. Read our full disclaimer.
