Jack's Blowhole — Attraction in South Island

Jack’s Bay is one of many stunning beaches in the Catlins.

New Zealand sea lions are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand.

Yellow-eyed penguins are the most endangered penguin species in the world, with just 4,000 left in the wild. Found only in New Zealand.

Yellow-eyed penguins and sea lions are found along the Catlins coast and are known to visit this beach, where headlands provide best access to their off-shore feeding grounds and where forest or shrubland provide nesting habitat. The penguins nest amongst the roots of forest trees or flax.

To see these creatures it is not a zoo. You have to be here at the right time of the year, dusk is the best time to see penguins.

Like the nearby Jack's Bay, Jack's Blowhole is named after the famed Māori Ngāi Tahu chief, Tuhawaiki, known to early European settlers as Bloody Jack.

The colony of New Zealand was originally part of New South Wales Australia. The Ngâi Tahu leader was a shrewd trader who twice sailed as far as Sydney and several times to Wellington.

On 1 July 1841 the islands of New Zealand were separated from the Colony of New South Wales and made a colony in their own right. This ended more than 50 years of confusion over the relationship between the islands and the Australian colony.

They know the Iwi leader had "sold" tracts of Ngai Tahu land, though the New South Wales governor declared deals made with Australians invalid, and some New Zealand "buyers" acknowledged their deeds of purchase were not legal.

Jack’s Blowhole is some 472 feet (144 meters) long and 223 feet (68 meters) wide. The tunnel was formed when the roof of a subterranean karst cave collapsed after millions of year of erosion. The resulting channel allows the ocean waves to travel 656 feet (200 meters) inland and spurt out in the narrow gorge.

Come here when the seas are rough or during high tide to see the best action. Hear the roars and wait for the foaming water to crash into the cliffs. On calmer days it is less spectacular, but still worthwhile to watch. If the conditions are right, watch the water come out of the blowhole 180 feet (55 meters) below the lookout point.

Most walking tracks that go through private property in NZ are usually closed off during lambing season.

Note that the track and the blow hole are located on a private farm and maybe closed during lambing season(?), which is usually from September to November. Entry is free but visitors are asked to respect the farmer’s privacy and property and stay on the track. You have to climb over fence stiles along the way. Allow about 1 hour for the...

-1 star because the trail was slightly harder than expected. Also, the view point overlooking Penguin Bay was a bit more exciting than the blowhole itself. Visit during high tides to see the blow hole "spouting" in action. Overall, this track was family friendly and a good workout. Slightly challenging climb up many wooden steps and through grassy farm land. Toilets...

It's about a 30 minute hike from the car park to the end of the trail and parts of the hike will require some effort if you've taken some time off from your daily workout. The wind can be awful in this neck-of-the-woods, so be prepared for inclement weather, even if you think no rain will come. The end of the trail reveals a lovely vista. You'll be grateful you...