Local Attractions
Caves, gemstone beaches and fishing coves along the Southern Scenic Route, plus jet boats, helicopters and charters further afield.
Around Tuatapere and Rarakau Lodge there are three free stops on the Southern Scenic Route and three guided trips. Clifden Caves, about 16 km north of Tuatapere, is a free, self-guided limestone cave with glow-worms. Gemstone Beach near Orepuki, about 15 minutes from Tuatapere, is where you fossick for garnet, quartz and jasper at low tide. Cosy Nook, about 30 km south, is a tiny fishing cove of boat sheds and cribs.
For a bigger day, ride a jet boat down the Wairaurahiri River, fly over Fiordland with Te Anau Helicopters, or spend four to six nights at sea with Takapu Charters.
Free stops near Tuatapere
All three are on or just off State Highway 99, the Southern Scenic Route, and cost nothing to visit.
| Place | Where | What it’s like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifden Caves | State Highway 99 at Clifden, about 16 km north of Tuatapere | A self-guided limestone cave system with glow-worms, stalactites and underground streams | Allow 1.5–2 hours. Bring a head torch and sturdy shoes; there are ladders and wading. Ages 12 and over |
| Gemstone Beach | Near Orepuki, about 15 minutes from Tuatapere | Garnet, quartz, jasper and the occasional sapphire on the sand, and a stairway up Monkey Island | Go at low tide. Not a swimming beach |
| Cosy Nook | State Highway 99, about 30 km south of Tuatapere | Boat sheds, cribs and fishing boats in a sheltered rocky cove, once the site of Pahi’s village | One of the most photographed spots in the region |
Guided trips
Prices are a guide only. Confirm current rates, times and availability with each operator.
| Trip | Operator | Leaves from | From | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wairaurahiri jet boating | Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet | Lake Hauroko, or walk in from Rarakau on the South Coast Track | $299pp for the two-day walk and jet boat combo | 027 672 4222 |
| Fiordland scenic flights | Te Anau Helicopters | Te Anau Manapouri Airport, about 1.5 hours’ drive | $395pp for 25 minutes | 0800 234 890 |
| Fiordland and Stewart Island charters | Takapu Charters | Invercargill | 4–6 nights, up to 8 guests | 027 432 8066 |
All local attractions
Clifden Caves
Explore a natural limestone cave system just a short drive away.
Free · allow 1.5–2 hours
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Gemstone Beach
Hunt for garnet, quartz and jasper along the shifting shoreline.
Free · best at low tide
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Jet Boating
Thrilling river adventures through pristine backcountry.
Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet · combo trips from $299pp
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Te Anau Helicopters
Scenic flights over Fiordland, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Stewart Island.
Te Anau Helicopters · flights from $395pp
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Takapu Charters
Fishing and sightseeing charters on the southern ocean.
4–6 night trips · up to 8 guests
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Road trip · between Invercargill and Te Anau
Southern Scenic Route Stopover
Driving the Southern Scenic Route? Turn off at Tuatapere for a night on the coast: a quiet beach, a short walk before dinner, a spa, a proper bed, sunset behind the Hump Ridge and the best sunrise spot around, with Clifden Caves, Gemstone Beach and Cosy Nook either side.
About 1 hour from Invercargill · 1.5 hours from Te Anau · 17 km from Tuatapere
Read MoreMaking a day of it
Coming from Invercargill? Stop at Cosy Nook and Gemstone Beach on the way, and time Gemstone Beach for low tide, when the best stones show and you can walk out to Monkey Island.
Coming from Te Anau? Stop at Clifden Caves on State Highway 99 before Tuatapere. Allow a couple of hours, and expect to get wet.
Staying a few nights? Walk two days on the South Coast Track to Port Craig and beyond, then jet boat the Wairaurahiri River and Lake Hauroko, with transport back to the lodge. Ask us at the lodge and we’ll help with the timing around your stay.
On a road trip? Our Southern Scenic Route stopover guide has the rest. For walks from the door, see our day walks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free stops include Clifden Caves, about 16 km north of Tuatapere, Gemstone Beach near Orepuki and Cosy Nook, about 30 km south. Guided trips include Wairaurahiri jet boating, Te Anau Helicopters scenic flights and Takapu Charters. There are also three day walks and three multi-day tracks from Rarakau Lodge.
Clifden Caves, Gemstone Beach and Cosy Nook are all free to visit.
At low tide, when the best stones show up and the boulder causeway to Monkey Island is walkable. Swimming is not recommended.
Yes. Wairaurahiri Wilderness Jet runs a two-day South Coast Track walk and jet boat combo from Rarakau Lodge, from $299 per person, with transport back to the lodge.
Their flights leave from Te Anau Manapouri Airport, about a 1.5-hour drive from the lodge. Flights start from $395 per person for 25 minutes.