Journey through New Zealand’s dramatic Catlins coast with Catch-a-Bus South’s flexible, guided day tour. Experience iconic lighthouses, waterfalls, and unique wildlife all tailored to the tides.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; the tour involves mostly seated travel with short walks at stops.
Wildlife
History
Waipapa Point Lighthouse was built in 1884 following a tragic shipwreck, marking a pivotal point in New Zealand’s coastal safety history.
Conservation
Catch-a-Bus South emphasizes responsible tourism by limiting group sizes and supporting local conservation efforts around sensitive wildlife habitats.
Catch-a-Bus South
Journey through New Zealand’s dramatic Catlins coast with Catch-a-Bus South’s flexible, guided day tour. Experience iconic lighthouses, waterfalls, and unique wildlife all tailored to the tides.
Catch-a-Bus South is a regional transport and tour operator serving Southland, Otago and the Queenstown-Lakes district. The business specialises in tailored charter services for groups of up to 11 passengers and offers scheduled and door-to-door transfers linking Bluff, Invercargill, Te Anau, Queenstown and Dunedin.
Catch-a-Bus South operates a range of trip types: private charters, VIP transfers, short scenic connections (such as Bluff–Invercargill and Invercargill–Bluff), and longer regional transfers between Invercargill, Te Anau and Queenstown. The operator also runs guided day tours including the Bluff Half Day Tour, The Catlins Day Tour and the Southern Catlins Shore Excursion, and provides specialised cycle transport for Milford Sound departures.
Service details and constraints are stated clearly: some services exclude certain local stops (for example, Queenstown transfers do not serve Arrowtown or Arthurs Point and require flights to arrive by 1pm), and some routes have specific bike policies (Dunedin to Invercargill bus-stop-to-bus-stop service is not available for bikes). Catch-a-Bus South is featured on The Adventure Collective and presents clear pick-up options, mid-trip stops and charter flexibility that suit travellers heading to Stewart Island, Fiordland walks and regional attractions.
All service descriptions, destination links and booking instructions are provided up front to help passengers plan seamless regional journeys.
Charter Capacity
Up to 11
Small-group charters for personalised travel
Service Area
Southland, Otago, Queenstown-Lakes
Regional coverage across South New Zealand
Featured Tour
Bluff Half Day
Customisable, award-winning tour option
Scheduled Notes
Specific constraints
Flight & bike rules listed per route
Reserve a charter, VIP transfer or day tour now — flexible pick-ups, clear policies, and routes across Southland, Otago and Queenstown-Lakes.
Pack layers for changing weather
The Catlins coast can see rapid shifts in weather; bring waterproof and warm clothing even if the forecast looks clear.
Bring snacks and water
While there are planned food breaks, options are limited and not included, so carry your own refreshments to stay energized.
Be prepared for uneven terrain
At various stops, short walks on uneven or slippery surfaces are necessary—sturdy footwear is recommended.
Tide-dependent itinerary
Some locations are only accessible at certain tide levels, so expect changes in the schedule for optimal viewing.
Waterproof jacket
Protects against frequent rain and coastal spray.
spring|fall|winter
Sturdy walking shoes
Necessary for navigating uneven terrain at natural attractions.
Sunhat and sunscreen
Essential to guard against strong UV exposure during sunny summer days.
summer
Binoculars
Useful for spotting distant wildlife like penguins and seabirds.