Catlins Aurora is a spacious 4-bedroom house built on a hill overlooking Owaka, neighbouring sheep paddocks, and our own dairy paddocks incl. a duck pond. Fish the Owaka River from our property or launch your kayak and paddle down to the sea.

Private driveway, two entrances, ample outside parking plus garage, generous lawn/garden area, and deck incl. outdoor furniture, BBQ, and hot tub. Open plan/kitchen dining room with sliding door onto deck and double doors into lounge. Main bathroom features heated towel rails, a bathtub/shower combo and plastic-free All-in-One soap bars from SpireNZ. Separate toilet. Directly adjacent is the laundry with tub, washing machine, dryer, and a separate shower. The laundry can also be accessed from the second entrance, which has storage space for outdoor gear. The master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and en-suite. All tap water is safe to drink (micro-filtered and UV-treated). The dwelling is equipped with 2 heat pumps plus a wood burner in the garage, which heats all radiators. Courtesy port-a-cot and high chair available upon request. This house offers complete privacy and stunning views of the Catlins’ rural landscape and star-studded night sky, yet is only a 5-minute drive from Owaka.

The township offers a supermarket (07:30 - 19:00 hrs), medical centre, pharmacy, garage, Basil & Baylys fresh produce, Lumberjack Restaurant, Catlins Café, Catlins Inn pub, coffee shop, eatery, museum and library, playground with toilets, art gallery, Doug’s Shed, and Black Sheep Boutique. The museum shows off the local history and usually hosts an art exhibition. The Information Centre within is manned with friendly staff or volunteers, who can provide you with maps, brochures, tidal times, and tips about places you can visit.

Not to be missed are the Nuggets and Lighthouse at Kaka Point with resident fur seals, Yellow Eyed Penguins and spoon bills, or Surat, Jacks, and Cannibal Bays with resident sea lions. Pounawea has a nice playground and jetty. Check out Earthlore’s insect dwellings and recycle-ware shop on the way to Jack’s Blowhole. The bush along the Southern Scenic Route boasts Matai, Purakaunui, and McLean waterfalls. After visiting the latter, you could pop in for a meal at the Whistling Frog or enjoy Tautuku Beach. If the tide is right, visit Cathedral Caves (access fee required). There is a beautiful loop walk starting at the bridge towards Papatowai through forest to the beach. Further along lies the Sunken forest at Curio Bay, where surfers meet dolphins. Be aware that access to the fossilised trees may be restricted to protect these as well as Yellow-eyed penguins’ nesting grounds. Check out “Catlins.org.nz” for map and further info.