4-569: The Purakaunui Falls are a cascading three-tiered waterfall on the Purakaunui River , in The Catlins of the southern South Island of New Zealand . As one of very few South Island waterfalls away from the alpine region, it has long been a popular destination and photographic subject. The falls are an iconic image for The Catlins region, and were featured on a New Zealand postage stamp in 1976. The falls are located 17 km (11 mi) to
8-604: The Southern Scenic Route , and prominently mentioned in brochures about the area. Although the Purakaunui Falls are not part of the Catlins Conservation Park , they are surrounded by native bush consisting of podocarp and silver beech , in a scenic reserve of 5 square kilometres (2 sq mi). A small viewing platform near the top of the falls is accessible by wheelchair. Steps continue down to
12-758: The main viewing platform at the base of the 20 metres (66 ft) three tiered cascade. Purakaunui River The Purakaunui River is a river in the western Catlins , New Zealand . It rises west of Houipapa and flows through the Pūrākaunui Bay Scenic Reserve into the Pacific Ocean at Pūrākaunui Bay. The river is best known for Purakaunui Falls . "Place name detail: Purakaunui River" . New Zealand Gazetteer . New Zealand Geographic Board . Retrieved 10 April 2020 . 46°33′S 169°37′E / 46.550°S 169.617°E / -46.550; 169.617 This article about
16-543: The southwest of the small town of Owaka and 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the river's outflow into the Pacific Ocean . They can be reached via a short 10-minute bush walk from a car park on the Waikoato Valley / Purakaunui Falls Road, a gravel side-road off the main Owaka- Invercargill road. There are toilets and a picnic area. The small, well-signposted detour to the falls is popular with tourist travellers along
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