In the heart of The Catlins, Owaka means “the place of canoe” hence the steel sculpture. The marvellous Museum is like a 3D storybook showcasing the area’s rich wildlife, Maori and early settler history. Surrounded by stunning steep rainforest clad valleys and a tidal lake, Owaka and Pounawea have plenty of places to stay and the world famous Purakaunui Falls are just down the road. Nearby Surat and Cannibal Bays are rightly renowned for their seals and sea lions.
