HistoryRatanui was a widespread settlement extending along the Catlins Lake and down the valley towards Tarara. A sawmilling area, Ratanui had a population significant enough to support a school (1870-1871, 1889-1946), railway station, boarding house, cheese factory (1893-1954), two general stores and post office, along with a Presbyterian church and manse. Today little remains to indicate the settlement, however the Ratanui Cemetery can be found along the Purakaunaui Falls Road just before the turn off to Long Point.
