Top Invercargill landmarks
Top Invercargill landmark tours
Top Invercargill activities
Top Invercargill landmarks
Beyond Invercargill
Invercargill trip ideas

Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins Small Group 1 Way Tour

11 Reviews 4.73 out of 5 stars Based on 11 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Invercargill, New Zealand

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.

9 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

Discover New Zealand’s wild southern coast on a full-day tour from Invercargill to Dunedin. Traverse the stunning Catlins region, where ancient forests meet dramatic coastlines. Marvel at Curio Bay's fossilized forest, catch glimpses of rare wildlife, and visit the whimsical Lost Gypsy Caravan. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the picturesque Purakaunui Falls and take in ocean views from the iconic Nugget Point Lighthouse. With expert guides and small-group travel, this tour promises a relaxed and immersive experience in one of the South Island’s hidden gems.

- Full-day one-way tour from Invercargill to Dunedin (approx. 9 hours)
- Small group experience with a maximum of 15 guests for personalized attention
- Expert local guides and luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle included
- Scenic stops include Curio Bay, Nugget Point Lighthouse, and Purakaunui Falls

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup in Invercargill (select locations only)
  • Space for luggage - 1 large & 1 small per person
  • Small group experience (max 15 guests)
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Children below 8 are required to travel in a booster/safety seat. Hire for NZ$20 or provide your own
See 2 moreSee 3 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point
Pickup details

*If no pickup is selected at time of booking, you will be allocated our default meeting point. You are welcome to update this at any time. If your location isn’t listed, please choose your nearest available option & meet us there.*Pick-ups can begin up to 20 minutes before the tour departure time, depending on location. To ensure a smooth start, please be ready and waiting outside 5 minute prior to your specific pickup time.*Pick-up locations are carefully planned for each tour and may vary by day. If your pick-up location changes, kindly inform us in advance.*Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. We are unable to wait for late guests.

OR
Meeting point

3 Esk Street West
Invercargill 9810, New Zealand

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Dunedin
New Zealand

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Curio Bay

Our first major stop is at Curio Bay, where you’ll walk across the fossilised remains of a 180-million-year-old petrified forest—visible at low tide. Keep an eye out for rare yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) and playful Hector’s dolphins in the surf.Alternative stop: If tides allow, we may visit Cathedral Caves, a stunning pair of massive sea caverns accessible via a short forest and beach walk (entry fee applies).
Read more

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Papatowai

We pause in the quiet Catlins village of Papatowai for lunch (own expense) and a visit to the delightfully quirky Lost Gypsy Caravan, a gallery of handmade kinetic art and curiosities that’s sure to amuse and inspire.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Purakaunui Falls Walk

Take a short, easy walk through lush native bush to reach Purakaunui Falls, one of New Zealand’s most photographed waterfalls. This beautiful multi-tiered cascade is a tranquil highlight in the heart of the Catlins.
Read more

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Nugget Point Lighthouse

Next, we make our way to the dramatic Nugget Point Lighthouse, perched high above the ocean. Enjoy a short scenic walk to the viewpoint, where you can spot seals sunbathing on the rocks and seabirds soaring above the iconic “nugget” sea stacks below.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Dunedin (pass by)

We conclude the journey in Dunedin with drop-offs at your central accommodation. Rich in heritage and surrounded by natural beauty, Dunedin is a vibrant southern city – and a perfect place to continue your South Island adventure.
Read more
Show 4 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Guests can bring 1 large & 1 small piece of luggage each
  • Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, a moderate amount of walking is involved.
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins Small Group 1 Way Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-56760P90

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.73
11 reviews

Average 4.73 out of 5 stars based on 11 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
8
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Private Guided Xquisite 2 Hour Kingston Hill Climb (October – May)

We jump in “the beast” and cruise up Kingston Hill to give you exclusive access to the most stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. You and...

30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (9)
from
$213.03

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Private Guided Xquisite 2 Hour Kingston Hill Climb (October – May)

We jump in “the beast” and cruise up Kingston Hill to give you exclusive access to the most stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. You and...

30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutesFree Cancellation
30 minutes • Free Cancellation
5.0 (9)
from
$213.03

Invercargill to Te Anau Small Group Transfer

Traveling from Invercargill to Te Anau offers a scenic adventure through New Zealand's stunning Southland region. This small group transfer by Cheeky Kiwi Travel ensures...

2 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
2 hoursHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
2 hours • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (5)
from
$62.59

What's Included

Activity name

  • Hotel pickup in Invercargill (select locations only)
  • Space for luggage - 1 large & 1 small per person
  • Small group experience (max 15 guests)
  • Central hotel drop off in Dunedin
  • Fully guided by local experts
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Children below 8 are required to travel in a booster/safety seat. Hire for NZ$20 or provide your own

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Guests can bring 1 large & 1 small piece of luggage each
  • Not recommended for travelers with severe mobility difficulties, a moderate amount of walking is involved.
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Cheeky Kiwi Travel

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.