NZPhotographer Issue 3, January 2018

Another waterfall that has to be shot is
that of The McLean Falls on the Tautuku
River. From the camping ground there’s
a short walk to the Lower Mclean, then
onwards another 5 minutes to the upper
Mclean Falls where the river meets its first
whirlpool before cascading down the 22
metres of steep drop-offs and terraces.
Some lesser known places, where few
people go, include the Punehu and
Pouriwai Falls. You can reach them with an
enjoyable 3 hour loop walk through some
of the Catlin’s enchanting bush, while you
listen to beautiful birdsong. Be aware of
the muddy track after it’s been raining
though!
I was traveling with my friend and he really
wanted to swim with dolphins, so we went
to Porpoise Bay. He’d heard that if you go
out, the dolphins will find you. He got back
all excited and happy confirming he’d
swum with the dolphins.
I’ll be back to visit The Catlins as I‘ve got
more waterfalls to chase. Some I‘ve found
have no track and because of this, there
are very few photos for people to see
their beauty. I find it’s a real adventure to
walk up a stream not knowing what you’ll
find or how long it will take. It might be
stunning or it might be ‘just OK’. Until that
day comes sometime in 2018, no one will
know!
Brendon Gilchrist
F/11, 2 s, ISO64, 24mm
16 NZPhotographer
MCLEAN FALLS