Koropuku Falls is a 10-metre, attractive waterfall on the western side of the Catlins, in the Catlins Conservation Park. The track to the falls is directly accessible from the side of the Southern Scenic Route (the Chaslands Highway section). The signpost is only viewable as you drive by, so it’s easy to miss, but the location is shown on Google Maps and Topo NZ.
Like most of the Catlins tracks, this one is short at about 15 minutes each way. However, it is unusual as it’s not a DOC track despite being in the conservation estate. It was constructed by two local men, Wayne Allen and Peter Hill, who, over 15 years, made the waterfall accessible. Unlike the wide gravelled DOC tracks on the other Catlins waterfall walks, this one is narrow, with many short sections of punga log used to provide a surface on the otherwise muddy ground. They are reputed to have carried 2,000 punga logs into the forest to construct the track.
Because the track is narrow, you have a greater sense of the encroaching rainforest. In addition, this is arguably the prettiest of the waterfall walks, especially the final section along the stream, with a jumble of rocks, trees, ferns, moss and lichen. The waterfall itself sits within a stunning amphitheatre of rock walls and greenery.
The track is 50 km southwest of Owaka on the Southern Scenic Route, with a 50-minute drive time. It lies between Tautuku Bay and Curio Bay.
