-46.51589, 169.55893

Dogs allowedEasy

Purakaunui Falls Track

Owaka · Otago · Out & Back

↑ 18 m gain↓ 19 m descenthigh 99 msteepest 11 %

DISTANCE0.8 km

ASCENT18 m

DURATIONabout 12 min

STEEPEST11 %

ROUTEOut & Back

RATING · WALKERS 4.7 · 244

DOG EFFORT1.9 /5 paws

PARKING10 m away

Dog-friendly walks near Owaka Directions Apple Maps Forecast at the trailhead Download GPX Send the start point to your phone

This walk comes from licensed public walk data and is being progressively confirmed against the authorities. Signs on the day always win. Evidence: inferred from the licensed data only. Walked it and read the sign? Send us the rule and this line retires. How we check dog rules.

Nearest emergency vetNorthern Southland Vets - Riversdale (24/7 emergency), Riversdale~105 min drive · 24/7

03 202 5636

The route

Good to know

Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy, read the signs at the gate, and give ground-nesting birds and stock their room.

River swim spotsWaterfallForest shadeGood with kidsA popular track, busy on weekends

Check the water before the dog swims. Toxic algae blooms in NZ rivers and lakes can kill a dog within hours. Scan the LAWA water quality map in warm months and keep dogs away from dark slime on rocks.

About Purakaunui Falls Track

Purakaunui Falls Track is an out-and-back of 0.8 km, near Owaka in Otago.

Graded easy, it climbs about 18 m overall, pitching up to 11 % at its steepest, and takes about 12 min to walk.

Walkers come for native forest, river frontage, and waterfalls. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but no rule-setter publishes wording for this track by name, so the district-wide rule is what applies. Keep the lead handy and read the signs at the gate. Walkers rate it 4.7 / 5 across 244 reviews.

Stay nearby

Dog-friendly places to sleep within 25 km of the trailhead, each one with the distance shown. Sort out the stay, then walk.

Stay & walk

Purakaunui Bay Campsite

5.2 km awayCampsite details →Stay & walk

Tawanui Campsite

8.1 km awayCampsite details →

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my dog on Purakaunui Falls Track?

Probably, and here is exactly what we know. No authority publishes dog wording for Purakaunui Falls Track by name, so this one rests on the licensed walk data and the district-wide rule rather than a rule-setter's own words. Nobody we read prohibits dogs here, but that is not the same as a rule saying yes, so keep the lead handy and let the signs at the gate decide.

How long is Purakaunui Falls Track?

Purakaunui Falls Track is 0.8 km with roughly 18 m of climb and takes about 12 min.

Is there water for my dog to swim on Purakaunui Falls Track?

Yes, the track has river and waterfall access where a dog can cool off. In warm months check the LAWA water quality map for toxic algae warnings first.

Are there dog-friendly campsites near Purakaunui Falls Track?

Yes. The closest is Purakaunui Bay Campsite, about 5 km away, and the track page lists more under Stay nearby. Every campsite shows its dog rules.

From the pack

Walked and logged 6 times by the pack, 1 proven with a photo. first proven by Melissa & Indiana.

Walks nearby

The closest dog-friendly tracks to this trailhead, by straight-line distance.

Purakaunui Bay Walk

EasyOwaka

1.3 km↑16 mabout 20 min

Swim spot

Matai Falls Walk

Easy

0.9 km↑23 m13m

Matai and Horseshoe Falls

ModerateOwaka

1.1 km↑36 mabout 22 min★4.5 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

Barrs Falls Walk

EasyOwaka

0.2 km↑0 mabout 2 min★3.7 rating

Swim spotShadeGood with kids

On a curated trip

This track is one leg of a longer dog-friendly route.

The Catlins Coast

Log this walk+52 XP

Save and Been here stay on this device, no account needed, and show up on your walks. Logging on the live map plants Banks’ paw on the trailhead; prove the walk with a photo of your dog and it scores on the leaderboard.