

	There are many things to do in the Catlins as described below. For a list of operators click businesses.
	Golf The Tokanui Golf Club (telephone (03) 246 9700) is situated at Fortrose and is a nine-hole links course with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Tuesday is Ladies day and Saturday is open to men and women, the rest of the week open but unattended. Green fees are $7.00 and golf clubs are available for hire.
	The Owaka Golf Club (telephone (03) 415-8367), off Royal Terrace Road on the way to Pounawea, is a nine-hole 70 par course situated along the banks of the Owaka River. During the summer months - Wednesday is ‘Twilight Golf’, open to anyone ($4 entry fee), Tuesdays is Ladies Day with a 10:00am start, and Men’s Day is Saturday, with a 1:00pm start. The remainder of the week is open but unattended, please use the honest box. Green fees are $7.00, golf clubs are available for hire on arrangement. Phone Lyn Brown for more information – (03) 415-8106.
	Swimming & Surfing Curio Bay has a very safe beach for swimming and surfing and is very popular during the summer months. The surf is frequented by a Pod of Hector Dolphins and they enjoy swimming alongside bathers but it is essential for their future that they are not disturbed in any way. At the Northern end of the Catlins, the beach at Kaka Point is manned by the surf-lifesaving club during the summer months. Jacks Bay is another popular swimming beach. There are numerous great surf breaks from Papatowai to Kaka Point – Long Point, with a left-hand break & Purakaunui Bay, a right-break, are meccas for experienced surfers. Reliable beach breaks can also be found at Jack’s Bay and Cannibal Bay. Kaka Point offers numerous beach breaks all along the coast down to the Nuggets.

	Boating and Water-Skiing Fortrose estuary is a great expanse of water at high tide for the purpose of boating, fishing and water-skiing. It is not a safe outlet to the sea because of a sandbar at the entrance. The Fortrose Boat Club welcomes visitors and they can use the boat ramp for a minimal fee. The lower Catlins Lake (estuary) is home to the Owaka Yacht Club, and offers another great expanse of water at high tide. The upper lake is shallow and has a speed restriction. There are several boat launch sites in the area, the Yacht Club and a ramp on the road to Surat Bay into the Owaka River are the most popular. Only experienced boaties should attempt crossing 'The bar' out to the open sea and even then it's best to ask for local advice. Kaka Point sometimes offers better access to the open sea while Papatowai and Tautuku may be used with local advice.
	Recreational Fishing The Fortrose estuary is a popular place for good size brown trout and a few try their luck with flounder nets. The Mataura River ranks amongst the worlds 'great' brown trout fisheries. Keen anglers can also rock fish from Fortrose, Slope Point, Waipapa and Curio Bay. The Catlins River, McLennan and Tahakopa Rivers all offer exceptional trout fishing opportunities. Success can be had at Floundering in both the Papatowai and Catlins’ Lake estuaries as well. With most of the beaches having a shallow and gradual run out to sea, shore fishing is of limited success in the northern end of the Catlins. Rock fishing can be done but there are risks and local advice should be sought.

	Whitebaiting The tidal banks of the Mataura and Titiroa Rivers and up north the Owaka River provide some of the best places for whitebaiters in Southland. The season begins mid-August and closes at the end of November with whitebait being fished from stands and riverbanks. Duckshooting There is open shooting for ducks in the specified season in the estuary and river areas, also coastal lagoons and farm ponds. Sporting Activities Rugby: from school-boy to seniors, also ladies. Netball, badminton, tennis, rifle shooting and pony club. The Tokanui Garden Circle meet monthly and visit gardens in the area during the summer months. Exotic Animals Llama x Guanacos, initially imported from Britain are farmed by Janette and George Buckingham at Waikawa Valley. The Llama is South American and is one of four sub-species which includes the Alpaca, Llama, Guanaco and Vicuna. The Buckinghams also have pure llamas, some of these are used for carrying gear for hiking trips, as well as for their fibre. They also farm Yaks, Gotland sheep and a Highland cattle beast.
	Walks Tours and other activities Guided tours, fishing guides, horse treks, mountain biking, boat charters, farm walks and farm visits are available – see businesses page For information on walks - see walks page.


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