I wouldn’t blame you if you saw "Cathedral Caves" and wondered what they were doing in the Catlins, especially since we all know the famous Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel!

But these caves, located at the northern end of pristine Waipati Beach, are a natural wonder in their own right. They're two sea-formed passages that together measure around 200 metres long and 30 metres high. They're carved out of 160-million-year-old Jurassic sandstone and shaped by the relentless waves over thousands of years.

To get there, you'll need to drive 15km south of Papatowai and then take a short 2km detour off the highway. There’s a big car park when you arrive, followed by a 20-minute downhill walk through a serene bush track that offers plenty of scenic photo opportunities. Once you reach the beach, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the caves. Keep in mind that access is only available between October and May, and only two hours before low tide and one hour after, so timing is key.

When you arrive, there’s a small fee for using the private road, car park, and access track to the caves. The path is steep in places and don’t forget a torch (it can get a bit dark in the caves), your camera, and looooots of bug spray.