Purakaunui Falls
Purakaunui Falls is a 217 ha Balloted Roar block in the Catlins permit area, in the coastal forest of southern Otago. Elevations run from 43 m to 188 m, with a median of 106 m — lowland coastal country with no bushline.
This is classic Catlins podocarp-broadleaf bush, leaning north-east on small ridges and gully systems around the falls catchment. Country is short and well-watered, with mature trees and a dense understorey. Stalks are close-range and quiet.
Game on the permit is red deer. The Catlins reds are known for solid heads in mature forest, and a balloted roar block of this size means a single party can have the country largely to themselves.
Open Purakaunui Falls on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 728 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 43–188 m
- Median elevation
- 106 m
- Middle 50%
- 87–124 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- north-east-facing
43–188 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning north-east-facing.
What you can hunt here
This is a balloted roar block — the red deer roar peaks from late March into April, and competition for the block is highest then.
Access & getting there
Helicopter access is permitted on Purakaunui Falls. Wild Animal Recovery Operations (WARO) are not permitted on this block.
There are no DOC huts or campsites recorded inside the block — plan for a day trip or short fly-camp using local accommodation.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Balloted Roar block block in the Catlins permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required, and Purakaunui Falls is a Balloted Roar block in the Catlins permit area. Roar ballot applies — a small number of parties are drawn for the rut window, so apply through DOC's standard roar ballot before the annual cutoff.
1080 & pesticide status
No current, planned or proposed pesticide operations intersect this block in our data. Always confirm with DOC before taking a dog in.
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