I was in the waiting room of Mercy Hospital recently and on a coffee table was a book by local artist Murray Ayson. Murray’s paintings of Otago scenes were so beautiful. I was saddened to learn he had only just recently passed away, A few days later I bought a copy of the book from the Art Society in the Dunedin Railway Station. I plan to use it as inspiration for photography adventures in Otago. The first inspired journey from his paintings was the Catlins River walk.
Beautiful steps on the Catlins River walk track.
The journey to the Catlins river walk from Dunedin takes just under 2 hours. Access to the track is via the Tawanui Campsite, so head to Owaka, then depart the Scenic Southern route and take the Owaka Valley road, I got google maps to direct me from there.
I was unaware of heavy rainfall the night before so my visions of a tranquil and relaxing river walk were shattered completely. The river was a muddy and swollen mass, roaring with anger.
Catlins river after heavy rainfall the night before.
I wasn’t keen on gong anywhere near the waters edge as one slip could prove fatal. My river walk would instead need to focus on the rainforest. It was still raining and I was getting a right old soaking. I took an umbrella with me, and used it to cover my camera bag anytime I stopped to take a picture. The track is easy to follow and has some lovely small bridges and steps created to make the journey easier. I couldn’t get over how lush and green everything was. The moss lining the track was the most luminescent green I have ever seen.
Vibrant green moss lined track on the Catlins river.
There was so much water about, often the steep pathways had a flow of water, so I would recommend waterproof hiking boots if you take the track on a wet day. I also used a leg of my tripod as a makeshift hiking pole along with the umbrella to help keep me on the track. I am fairly sure this next image of a small waterfall would be nowhere near as impressive on a dry day.
After a night of heavy rain a small tributary on the Catlins river is turned into an impressive waterfall.
The highlight of the adventure was seeing giant trees covered in moss. They were like something out of Lord Of The Rings, truely magical. These are the sort of trees photographers dream about, throw in some mist and I’d be a very happy camper.
Moss covered trees on the Catlins river track.
The track crosses the river a few times, but I turned around before I reached the first over-bridge after about 9000 steps as I knew I would be mucking about taking pictures on the way back. It was a real pleasure to be out in some pristine unspoilt rainforest, around every corner there was something new to appreciate.
A sea of ferns just off the Catlins River track.
The Catlins river track is definitely a path I will tread again, as I am curious about seeing how it looks in different seasons. I can highly recommend this adventure to any nature lover, just be prepared for wet weather.
