Clutha District: Where Rivers Meet the Sea and Summer Slows Down
In the deep south, where the Pacific Ocean rolls in uninterrupted from the horizon and river mouths weave their way through quiet rural landscapes, the Clutha District offers a different kind of New Zealand summer – unhurried, uncrowded, and deeply connected to the water. From rugged coastlines to lakes and rivers, this is a place where locals and visitors alike come to breathe out, cool off, and enjoy nature at its most authentic.
Kākā Point: A Classic Kiwi Summer by the Sea
At the northern gateway to The Catlins, Kākā Point is one of the district’s favourite summer spots. Its sweeping white-sand beach is ideal for families, with lifeguards on duty over the warmer months thanks to the dedicated local surf lifesaving club. On calm days the water is perfect for swimming and bodyboarding, while a good swell draws surfers to breaks along the bay. Whether you’re catching the first wave or relaxing on the beach, Kākā Point has a laid-back charm that brings people back year after year.
Surfing The Catlins: Wild, Beautiful and Refreshingly Uncrowded
The Catlins coastline is where the ocean shows its full personality, dramatic, powerful and utterly exhilarating for surfers. With impressive breaks and none of the crowds, it’s a place that rewards those who like their surf raw and real.
Long Point, Pūrākaunui Bay and Tautuku Bay all deliver long, clean lines on the right day, drawing surfers from across the country in search of space, scenery and Southern Ocean energy. For learners, several sheltered bays offer gentler conditions, and the district’s remoteness provides something rare in New Zealand surfing – peace and plenty of room to move.
Ask any local surfer and they’ll tell you: The Catlins brings you back to the basics. No rush, no crowds – just you, your board and the wild beauty of the southern coast.
Rivers, Lakes and Hidden Waterways
Beyond the sea, the Clutha District is shaped – literally and culturally – by water. The mighty Clutha River / Mata-Au, famous for its striking turquoise colour and steady flow, is a lifeline for local communities and a favourite spot for boating, fishing and exploring.
In summer, families cool off in safe swimming holes along the riverbanks, while jetboaters enjoy long stretches of open water lined with rocky edges and willows. At Kaitangata, the river meets the sea, creating a popular spot for keen anglers. Further upstream, the historic Tuapeka Punt, the last working punt of its kind in New Zealand ferries visitors across the river using nothing but the power of the current, offering a uniquely charming way to experience the Mata-Au.
To the north, Lake Waihola serves as one of the district’s best summer playgrounds. Its shallow, open waters are ideal for water sports of all kinds, jetboating, waterskiing, wakeboarding and towing the kids on biscuits – while families gather along the shoreline for picnics and long, relaxed days by the lake.
Water, Wildlife and Community Care
The Catlins and Clutha District remain beautifully unspoiled thanks to the guardianship of local communities and conservation projects. Visitors will notice signage at beaches and river mouths encouraging safe behaviour around wildlife such as sea lions, penguins and Hector’s dolphins – reminders that we share these waters with some extraordinary species.
Community groups maintain access points, protect sensitive areas, and support surf lifesaving initiatives that keep swimmers safe throughout summer. It’s this quiet pride, and the desire to preserve the places locals love most, that shape the district’s warm and welcoming spirit.
A District That Invites You to Slow Down
In the Clutha District, there’s no pressure to rush from one attraction to the next. Here, summer is about taking a moment – floating on a calm river, catching a wave at sunrise, dipping into a cool swimming hole, or simply sitting on a headland watching the tide roll in.
This is a district where you can enjoy the pause, unplug, reconnect, and discover your own piece of waterfront paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned boatie, a family of swimmers, or someone just looking for space to breathe, the Clutha District – and its wild, wonderful coastlines – invites you to Stay a while.
Thank you to Sarah Homer from Clutha Development for this article. www.CluthaNZ.com
