Adventures in the South

A forested contrast to the surrounding dry Maniototo basin, useful for walking and riding. Begin from Naseby Forest recreation entrances around Swimming Dam Road and the township; select the correct trail map before riding.…

Facilities near the well-known Stirling Point visitor area. Arrival point: Ward Parade, Bluff. Council facilities can close for cleaning or maintenance, so retain a backup stop and follow all parking or reserve rules displayed…

A practical visitor stop for lake access and Doubtful Sound connection planning. Arrival point: Manapouri township and Pearl Harbour; use the signed Southland District Council facility. Council facilities can close for cleaning or maintenance,…

A lake-edge setting that helps Wānaka visitors experience shoreline beyond town. Public access is via Glendhu Bay reserve and campground area, Mount Aspiring Road, west of Wānaka. Keep back from unstable edges, give wildlife…

A coastal service stop at the western edge of The Catlins route. Arrival point: Fortrose public toilet, 46 Moray Terrace, Fortrose. Council facilities can close for cleaning or maintenance, so retain a backup stop…

Ida Valley is a broad, sparsely settled Central Otago landscape of dry hills, farmland and expansive skies. Appreciate it from formed public roads or recognised Otago Central Rail Trail stops, not from farm gateways…

The Waikaia and Waikaka-side valleys add a quieter inland alternative to the main Gore routes. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Riversdale–Waikaia Road and Waikaia township, Eastern Southland. Allow time to find…

The Pisa Range forms the western wall of the Cromwell Basin and creates a striking mountain backdrop above Lowburn and Pisa Moorings. Use signed public conservation access or formed roadside viewpoints only, and do…

A broad valley view that makes the Milford Road feel open before it tightens into alpine terrain. Use the signed Eglinton Valley roadside viewpoints, State Highway 94, Milford Road. Allow time to find a…

A gentle lake-and-river corridor connecting Wānaka and Albert Town for walkers and cyclists. Begin from Outlet Track access at the Lake Wānaka outlet near Albert Town or from the Wānaka lakefront trail network. Choose…

Waipohatu Waterfalls Track is a rugged 6.5 km forest loop leading to two secluded waterfalls. Allow about three hours, wear footwear suited to mud and rough ground, carry supplies and treat it as a…

A loop walk that adds hills, stream gullies and goldfields texture to an Arrowtown visit. Begin from Butler’s Green / Buckingham Street area, Arrowtown — signed Sawpit Gully trail access. Check the official route…

Matai Falls Walk is an easy 1.2 km return forest walk to a moss-framed waterfall, with an optional branch onto the former railway formation. Park in the signed roadside area on Papatowai Highway; the…

A lake-edge recreation area that gives travellers room to pause outside central Queenstown. Public access is via Twelve Mile Delta campground and recreation reserve, Glenorchy–Queenstown Road. Stay on formed routes, respect gates and seasonal…

A dramatic river-gorge trail linking scenery, gold history and slow travel near Alexandra. Begin from Roxburgh Gorge Trail start beside the Clutha / Mata-au near Alexandra Bridge. Read current trail alerts before departure, take…

Public facilities near Millers Flat recreation areas and river access. Arrival point: Millers Flat Recreation Reserve, Millers Flat. Follow reserve signs, protect vegetation and water edges, and check whether toilets, drinking water or overnight…

Lake Hauroko is a remote Fiordland lake reached from Tuatapere via Clifden and Lillburn Valley Road, with about 20 km of the final 36 km route unsealed. The lake supports boating, fishing and a…

Lake Monowai Recreation Area is a remote lakeside destination with basic camping, boat access and nearby walking opportunities. Bring food, fuel and weather protection, expect limited services and check DOC notices and road conditions…

Local facilities supporting Arrowtown heritage streets, short walks and family visitors. Arrival point: Arrowtown town centre and signed public facilities near Buckingham Street. Check signs for opening, accessibility and temporary closures; a public toilet…

Mossburn is an important service and resupply point on the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail, linking the Southland plains with routes toward Mavora, Centre Hill and the lakes district. Begin from Mossburn township and…

A close-to-town beach that gives visitors a gentle Stewart Island pause without committing to a long track. Public access is via Bathing Beach Road, Oban. Cold water and rapidly changing conditions are the principal…

Splash Palace is Invercargill’s indoor aquatic centre, offering swimming, recreation and fitness facilities for visitors of all ages. The complex includes a 50-metre main pool, a learner’s pool and a family-friendly leisure pool with…

Rakiura Track is a three-day Great Walk through coastal forest, beaches and historic sites on Stewart Island / Rakiura. Huts and campsites require planning and seasonal booking, and sections can remain muddy in settled…

Otepuni Gardens is one of Invercargill's oldest public green spaces and a peaceful urban park located on the city's historic Town Belt, just a short walk from the central business district. Established as a…

Glenorchy Wharf & Viewpoint is one of New Zealand's most iconic lakeside landmarks, located at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. Framed by the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, the historic wharf and…

Central Te Anau public facilities for visitors before lakefront, track or road travel. Arrival point: 98 Town Centre, Te Anau. Check signs for opening, accessibility and temporary closures; a public toilet or rest area…

A small northern Southland stopping point for visitors travelling the inland highway. Arrival point: Garston Village Green and public toilet, 9 Garston–Athol Highway, Garston. Check signs for opening, accessibility and temporary closures; a public…

Queenstown Gardens occupies a lakeside peninsula close to the town centre, with mature trees, easy paths, lawns, a rose garden and recreation facilities. Walk in from Park Street or the waterfront and allow extra…

A visitor information anchor for Eastern Southland and the Gore district. Arrival point: Gore visitor-information services in central Gore; confirm the current operating location before travel. Check current opening hours before relying on staffed…

Clyde Historical Museum interprets the gold-rush and civic history of Clyde from the former Vincent County Council building. As a volunteer-supported museum, opening can be seasonal, so confirm access before planning a dedicated trip.

Local facilities supporting lake, road-trip and cycling visitors around Hāwea. Arrival point: Lake Hāwea township and signed public facilities near the lakefront. Check signs for opening, accessibility and temporary closures; a public toilet or…

Facilities supporting visitors to Naseby’s heritage streets, forest and recreation areas. Arrival point: Naseby township and recreation reserve signed facilities. Check signs for opening, accessibility and temporary closures; a public toilet or rest area…

A lighthouse and coastal wildlife stop that adds history and open-ocean drama to the Catlins route. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Waipapa Lighthouse Road, Otara, The Catlins. Allow time to find…

A practical forest escape close to Gore, with enough native bush to make Eastern Southland feel more than a drive-through zone. Public access is via Dolamore Park, about 11 km northwest of Gore via…

A small rocky coastal settlement and bay that rewards travellers prepared to leave the main road. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Cosy Nook Road, near Colac Bay, Western Southland. Road conditions…

A deeper forest waterfall experience that rewards taking more time in the Catlins. The safest public viewing or stopping point is McLean Falls car park, Rewcastle Road, The Catlins. Allow time to find a…

The Central Otago District Council service centre at 42 The Mall is a useful administrative contact point in Cromwell. Arrival point: Central Otago District Council Cromwell service centre, 42 The Mall, Cromwell. Council facilities…

A low-effort river walk option for travellers stopping in Roxburgh. Begin from Roxburgh riverbank reserve and signed walking paths near Scotland Street. Confirm closures and the grade of the exact section you plan to…

A viewpoint where river, gorge and hydro history meet at the northern edge of the Teviot Valley. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Roxburgh Dam visitor lookout and formed parking beside State…

Central island facilities supporting visitors around Oban and Halfmoon Bay. Arrival point: Halfmoon Bay waterfront and central Oban public facilities. Council facilities can close for cleaning or maintenance, so retain a backup stop and…

A distinctive dredge-tailings landscape where mining history has shaped the ground itself. Public access is via Marshall Road car park, off Earnscleugh Road, about 3 km from Alexandra. Some access is seasonal or volunteer-supported,…

A quieter, more remote fiord experience reached through Manapouri rather than the Milford Road. Public access is via RealNZ Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Manapouri 9643 — departure point for the standard Doubtful Sound…

A town-edge river stop that is easy to add to an Alexandra visit. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Kerry Street, Alexandra — pedestrian access to Shaky Bridge and the Manuherikia riverbank.…

A long exposed beach that gives Invercargill a strong coastal edge and wide-sky feel. Public access is via Oreti Beach Road, west of Invercargill. Cold water and rapidly changing conditions are the principal hazards.…

A quieter coastal reserve that offers bush, sea air and views without leaving the Invercargill area far behind. Public access is via Ōmaui Road end, Ōmaui, south of Invercargill. Allow for unsealed access and…

The Old Reservoir Walk is a short climb above Cromwell that reveals the basin, lake and dryland landscape without requiring a full-day outing. Use the current local trail map to identify the signed start,…

Hanks Place is a locally owned hardware and rural-supplies store in Lumsden. Hanks Place supplies pumps, water-management and fencing products, alongside selected hire equipment. For cyclists, motorbike travellers and other adventurers, it stocks bicycle…

Town facilities supporting visitors between orchards, heritage precinct, lakefront and trails. Arrival point: Central Cromwell; use the council facilities map for the nearest signed public toilet. Use the facility only for its signed purpose,…

Queenstown Hill Time Walk begins from Belfast Terrace and climbs through forest to open viewpoints above Queenstown and Lake Whakatipu. The route is steep enough to require proper footwear and can be icy, muddy…

A useful Catlins pause point near beaches, forest and coastal visitor routes. Arrival point: Papatowai township and recreation reserve, The Catlins. Use the facility only for its signed purpose, carry out rubbish and treat…

A Teviot Valley trail experience following river country and orchard landscapes south of Roxburgh. Begin from Clutha Gold Trail access in Roxburgh or at Roxburgh Dam; organise one-way transport before riding a longer section.…

Orchard and river country around Ettrick shows the productive side of the valley landscape. The safest public viewing or stopping point is State Highway 8 and formed public stopping places around Ettrick; keep orchard…

The Central Otago District Council service centre at 1 Dunorling Street is a practical administrative contact point in Alexandra. Arrival point: Central Otago District Council service centre, 1 Dunorling Street, Alexandra. Use the facility…

A simple but powerful southern landmark where road-trip identity and coastal scenery meet. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Stirling Point, Ward Parade, Bluff 9814. Treat this as a landscape stop rather…

A lake-and-gorge trail linking Cromwell and Clyde through some of Central Otago’s strongest modern trail scenery. Begin from Cromwell Heritage Precinct, Butcher Drive, or a signed Lake Dunstan Trail access point in Cromwell. Read…

Queens Park is an 81-hectare central Invercargill park with formal gardens, mature trees, sports areas, heritage features and family attractions. Enter from Queens Drive or the Feldwick Gates side and allow time for the…

A short local climb that turns Alexandra from a town stop into a basin viewpoint. Begin from Kerry Street and Shaky Bridge, Alexandra — walking access to the Clock on the Hill. Read current…

Public town facilities supporting travellers exploring Gore, Mataura River stops and Eastern Southland. Arrival point: Central Gore; use the Gore District Council public-facilities information for the nearest signed toilet or parking area. Keep mobility…

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement preserves huts, ruins and interpretation connected with Chinese gold miners who lived beside Bush Creek. Entry is free and close to Arrowtown, but visitors should stay on formed paths and allow…

A useful Western Southland stop for travellers heading toward the south coast, Hump Ridge area or Fiordland fringe. Arrival point: Tuatapere town centre; use the signed council public toilet shown on the official facilities…

Queenstown Airport is the region's main passenger airport, with rental cars, public transport, parking, food and visitor services around a compact terminal. Check live flight information and allow additional time during winter weather and…

Purakaunui Falls is reached by a short forest walk from the Purakaunui Falls Road car park to a tiered waterfall framed by native bush. The track and viewing area can be wet, slippery and…

A small facilities stop on open Māniatoto cycling and heritage routes. Arrival point: Oturehua village and Rail Trail signed facilities. Keep mobility and service access clear, follow posted time limits and do not assume…

Clifden Suspension Bridge is a preserved historic bridge beside State Highway 99, about 16 km north of Tuatapere. A formed reserve gives travellers a straightforward place to stop, view the structure and understand its…

The Longwood Forest edge introduces dense native forest to Western Southland’s coastal landscape. It is not one single signed attraction: select a recognised DOC access point before departure and never navigate through forestry roads,…

A symbolic southern-edge viewpoint with open farmland, ocean and a strong sense of place. Use the signed Slope Point car park off Haldane–Curio Bay Road. Treat this as a landscape stop rather than a…

A remote Upper Clutha stop for travellers between Wānaka and the Haast direction. Arrival point: Makarora township and signed visitor facilities beside State Highway 6. Keep mobility and service access clear, follow posted time…

Nugget Point / Tokatā combines a cliff-top lighthouse walk with broad views over rocky islets and the Catlins coast. The path is exposed to wind and includes steep drop-offs, so children require close supervision…

A key information point for Wānaka, Mount Aspiring National Park and track planning. Arrival point: Wānaka Tititea / Mount Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre, 1 Ballantyne Road, Wānaka. Use the official page to confirm…

A town-and-river stop where the Mataura’s industrial and natural histories sit close together. Use the signed public river access in Mataura township. Water level, current, surf, tide and bank stability can change quickly; supervise…

Clifden Caves is an undeveloped cave route for capable, well-equipped visitors rather than a casual roadside attraction. Allow around 1.5–2 hours, carry at least two reliable lights per group, expect mud and water, and…

A gentle Arrowtown river corridor that works for travellers wanting scenery without a big climb. Begin from Arrow River reserve and signed Queenstown Trail access, Arrowtown. Confirm closures and the grade of the exact…

Jack's Blowhole Track is a roughly one-hour return walk across private farmland to a viewing platform above a deep inland blowhole. Use the marked route and stiles, keep away from cliff edges, and visit…

A demanding mountain walk that moves quickly from resort town to alpine-feeling terrain. Begin from Tiki Trail entrance, Cemetery Road off Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300. Confirm closures and the grade of the exact section…

Lake Hayes Loop Track circles the lake between Queenstown and Arrowtown, with several signed access points including the Lake Hayes Pavilion area. The full circuit is a substantial shared walking and cycling route rather…

Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery brings together Central Otago geology, gold-mining, natural history, community stories and changing art exhibitions. It is a useful all-weather stop in Alexandra, with research, shop and programme availability…

The Ōreti River access off Albion Street gives Lumsden a nearby place to appreciate the braided river landscape without driving deep into the backcountry. Public access is via Ōreti River public access from Albion…

A coastal track option close to Oban with sea views and island character. Begin from Ackers Point Track entrance, Leask Bay Road, Oban. Choose a route that matches the group’s fitness and available daylight,…

Thomsons Bush is a peaceful native forest reserve only a few minutes from central Invercargill. The 33-hectare reserve protects one of the few surviving remnants of the kahikatea-dominated swamp forest that once covered much…

A coastal walking option that helps expand a visit beyond the immediate Oban waterfront. Begin from Horseshoe Bay Road and the signed Horseshoe Point track, Oban. Choose a route that matches the group’s fitness…

Invercargill Airport is the southernmost controlled commercial airport in New Zealand and serves as the main gateway to the Southland region. Located about 3 km from Invercargill's city centre, it offers scheduled domestic flights…

Garston sits on a natural travel seam between Southland and the Queenstown Lakes, with mountain edges close to the road. Use public road viewpoints along State Highway 6 through Garston; stop only in formed…

Public toilet facilities supporting visitors at Glenorchy before remote road or track travel. Arrival point: Benmore Place / Oban Street Recreation Reserve, Glenorchy. Use marked paths and parking, supervise children near water and comply…

Visitor facilities around a popular Teviot Valley reserve and water stop. Arrival point: Pinders Pond Recreation Reserve, Teviot Valley. Use marked paths and parking, supervise children near water and comply with any fire, dog…

A Maniototo section of New Zealand’s original Great Ride, with open skies and small-town stops. Begin from Ranfurly railway precinct and signed Otago Central Rail Trail access, Ranfurly. Check the official route notice, distance…

Remote visitor facilities near one of Fiordland’s most weather-sensitive destinations. Arrival point: Milford Sound Visitor Terminal, Freshwater Basin, Milford Sound 9679. Use the facility only for its signed purpose, carry out rubbish and treat…

A practical southern service-area stop between Invercargill, Bluff and coastal routes. Arrival point: Awarua / Waituna area; facilities are sparse, so confirm the intended stop before leaving Invercargill. Use the facility only for its…

St Bathans Blue Lake is a former mining pit beside the historic township, explored from the DOC car park off the main street. The lake circuit and nearby tracks combine distinctive blue water, eroded…

Lake Marian Track begins from Hollyford Road and climbs beyond the waterfalls to an alpine lake in a hanging valley. The full route is rougher and more demanding than the short waterfall section, with…

Lake Hāwea gives the Upper Clutha a quieter lake experience with big mountain edges. Use the signed public viewpoints and reserves around Lake Hāwea township. Allow time to find a safe stopping place and…

Mount Iron Track climbs a prominent hill immediately east of Wānaka, giving wide views over the lake, Upper Clutha basin and surrounding ranges. Start from the signed car park off State Highway 84 and…

Mirror Lakes is a short boardwalk stop beside the Milford Road, known for reflections of the Earl Mountains when the water is calm. The roadside car park is limited and can be busy, so…

A softer lake-edge stop north of Cromwell with water, birds and open basin views. Public access is via Lowburn Inlet reserve and signed lakefront access beside State Highway 6. Cold water and rapidly changing…

Riversdale gives travellers an inland plains perspective between Northern and Eastern Southland. The safest public viewing or stopping point is State Highway 94 and signed public stopping places around Riversdale and the Waimea Plains.…

High-use visitor facilities supporting the busy Queenstown waterfront and town centre. Arrival point: Queenstown waterfront and town-centre signed public facilities. Use the facility only for its signed purpose, carry out rubbish and treat overnight…

Punanga Manu o Te Anau – Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is a free lakeside conservation site where visitors can see threatened native birds in managed aviaries and natural habitat. Enter from the Lakefront Drive…

A broad coast-and-sky beach experience near the western edge of Southland, suited to quiet wandering and photography. Public access is via Bluecliffs Beach Road, Papatotara, west of Tuatapere. Check weather and water conditions, remain…

Town facilities supporting travellers using Roxburgh as a Teviot Valley base. Arrival point: Roxburgh town centre and signed council public facilities. Use the facility only for its signed purpose, carry out rubbish and treat…

A historic river-edge walkway following old transport routes along the Clutha Mata-au landscape. Use a signed Lake Roxburgh Walkway entrance from Alexandra; confirm the intended section before navigating. Check the official route notice, distance…

North Mavora Lake is the more remote of the two Mavora lakes, with lakeside camping, mountain views and links to backcountry tracks and four-wheel-drive country. Reach it through the Mavora Lakes camping area; the…

Winton is a useful Central Southland service stop between Invercargill, Queenstown and Te Anau. Arrival point: 226 Great North Road, Winton, Southland. Use the facility only for its signed purpose, carry out rubbish and…

This reserve features scenice walk: Approximately 30 minutes return Greenpoint Domain is a quiet coastal reserve beside Bluff Harbour, best known for its historic ship graveyard, sometimes called “Rotten Row.” Retired fishing boats, oyster…

Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara is an open sanctuary in Paterson Inlet, reached by water taxi and explored on forest and coastal tracks. Its value lies in native birds, plants and a largely predator-free…

A meaningful coastal gateway to Rakiura tracks and the island’s visual story. The safest public viewing or stopping point is Lee Bay Road end, Stewart Island / Rakiura. Stop only where the vehicle can…

The southern Eyre Mountains are backcountry terrain rather than a single roadside attraction. Choose a current DOC route from Mavora Lakes Road or the Mossburn side, confirm legal public access before departure, and carry…

A loop walk that combines forest, creek and historic remains on the Glenorchy Road side of Queenstown. Begin from Mt Crichton Loop Track car park, Glenorchy–Queenstown Road. Read current trail alerts before departure, take…

Florence Hill Lookout is a roadside viewpoint over the long sweep of Tautuku Bay and the forested Catlins coast. Pull fully into the signed gravel area, supervise children near traffic and visit in clear…

Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway is a gentle boardwalk and gravel route through wetlands near the head of Lake Whakatipu. Enter near Mull Street and the waterfront, then follow the signed loop for birdlife, mountain reflections…

Eastern Southland Gallery holds nationally significant art collections alongside changing exhibitions in central Gore. Allow time for the Ralph Hotere and John Money holdings, and check current exhibition and opening information before a special…

Lake Gunn Nature Walk is an easy forest loop beginning at Cascade Creek car park on the Milford Road, about 78 km from Te Anau. The route passes through red-beech forest and includes lake-edge…

Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain tracks begin at the Diamond Lake car park on Mount Aspiring Road. Options range from the shorter lake circuit to steeper viewpoints over the Upper Clutha landscape, with ice,…

Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is a steep-sided fiord at the end of State Highway 94, with cruises, waterfront walks and views transformed by rain and cloud. The road journey is part of the experience…

The lakefront gives Cromwell an easy visitor pause and makes the basin feel immediately accessible. Public access is via Cromwell Heritage Precinct and lakefront, Butcher Drive, Cromwell. Keep back from unstable edges, give wildlife…

A popular local trail area near Albert Town, useful for active travellers who want something close to town. Begin from Deans Bank Track car park, Deans Bank Road, Albert Town. Choose a route that…

Te Anau Boat Harbour toilet is a lakeside public facility for harbour, marina and lakefront users. Arrival point: 177 Te Anau Terrace, Te Anau. Transport can be weather-dependent, so verify the departure point and…