In contrast to the dryness of Central Otago, Southland is lush and green. Tranquil waterways attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Near-pristine southern rainforest provides opportunities for day walks and hiking. The amazing Catlins Coast promises wildlife encounters and the chance to see Curio Bay - a petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dating back to the Jurassic age.
Southland comes to life in spring. Crisp frosty mornings give way to bright sunny days. Bird life is active and abundant and new-born lambs are dotted against a backdrop of lush green farmland. Southlands gardens are blooming and the whole region is vibrant and alive.
In contrast to the dryness of Central Otago, Southland is lush and green. Tranquil waterways attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Near-pristine southern rainforest provides opportunities for day walks and hiking. The amazing Catlins Coast promises wildlife encounters and the chance to see Curio Bay - a petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dating back to the Jurassic age.
Browse our collection of images to see what the region has to offer:
Scenery to soothe your soul
Southland's largest urban centre is Invercargill, a city of over 50,000 people. Visitors
come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped
parks.
A half hour drive south from Invercargill is the fishing port of Bluff - home
to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival.
From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island - a haven for native
bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in
their natural habitat.
Key Features
The Catlins Coast Winding between Fortrose and Kaka Point, the Catlins Coast takes you to enthralling
wildlife experiences, beautiful waterfalls and rustic, farmland scenery. Beaches,
forest walks and nostalgic hospitality will capture your heart.
Park in the city
Invercargill is built around beautiful Queens Park - 80 hectares of gardens,
wildlife and sporting fun. As well as an 18-hole golf course, the park has animal
enclosures, a bird aviary, play areas and the Southland Museum.
Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island
Stewart Island is an ecological wonderland. The clamour of civilisation is replaced
by rapturous birdsong and sounds of the sea. Rendezvous with a kiwi, visit Ulva
Island bird sanctuary or walk one of the many tracks.
Key Tips
There are daily flights to Invercargill from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
From Invercargill you can drive to Queenstown in 2 ½ hours or Te Anau in 2 hours.
Pack warm clothing during autumn and winter months. There's no such thing as
bad weather, just bad clothes!
At all times of the year, the ferry to Stewart Island departs twice daily; the
plane departs three times a day.
MEMORY: Submitted by Marilyn Muckerman from New Zealand
"
I arrived in Christchurch, and unbeknownst to me at the time, this was to be an experience which would touch me to the very core!
"
Finding the road to dreams: explore motorcycle legend Burt Munro's Southland. Walk where he rode, meet the locals and feel like you're in the movie filmed here: "The World's Fastest Indian".
Finding the road to dreams: explore motorcycle legend Burt Munro's Southland. Walk where he rode, meet the locals and feel like you're in the movie filmed here: "The World's Fastest Indian".
You can’t beat Southland’s hearty local cuisine and winter’s the time to enjoy it, mixed in with friendly southern hospitality.
The Southern Scenic Route provides the perfect driving path to explore the region. But allow time to stop along the way to discover hidden gems in the Catlins and along the Western Southland coastline. Invercargill and Gore host many indoor arts and cultural experiences, including Gore’s legendary Gold Guitar Music Awards. Expect frosty mornings to be followed by clear, crisp days.
Finding the road to dreams: explore motorcycle legend Burt Munro's Southland. Walk where he rode, meet the locals and feel like you're in the movie filmed here: "The World's Fastest Indian".
