Accessed from either Niagara, 4 kms from Waikawa and 189 kms from
Dunedin; or from the Fortrose Cemetery, 50 kms from Invercargill. The trail can be travelled in either direction.The area has isolated beaches, rugged coastline, native forest and
wildlife, sheep and beef farming.
Historically, the early Maori of the Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe, and Waitaha tribes travelled extensively between the various coastal settlements and inland to
Central Otago in search of food, for trade and social interaction.
European settlement began with whaling, sawmilling and goldmining. Little evidence of these remain.
Starting
the trail at NIAGARA FALLS (named by a Surveyor with a sense of humour), past the CONCRETE HORSE TROUGH - used by early horse teams after climbing the cemetery hill and so on to WAIKAWA and the MUSEUM which
displays photographs and memorabilia of the area. Opposite is the former ST MARY'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, now owned by the Museum. From the wharf there is a twenty minute walk along the beach on what
was an early OLD COACH ROAD.
Back to the road again and on to PORPOISE BAY - home to the rare Hector's Dolphin and also a safe swimming beach. Opposite is CURIO BAY a world renowned fossil
forest, easily accessible at low tide.
Travel on to WAIPOHATU a forest area with picnic sites and walks. Next is SLOPE POINT which is the most southerly point in the South Island.
Return to the main road and the TARARUA ACRE situated 300 metres from the road. Here are buried some of the casualties from the wreck of the SS Tararua which ran aground on 24 April 1881,
at WAIPAPA POINT. This was New Zealand's worst shipping disaster with the loss of 131 lives. Afterwards the lighthouse was erected and first beamed in January 1884. It is now automated.
From here travel to FORTROSE and the site of the SMITHY, once a busy blacksmith's shop. Lastly the FORTROSE CEMETERY was the earliest European cemetery in the area, with the first burial
being in 1873.
And so we farewell this quiet rural retreat in the Catlins.
