Courtney’s Guidebook for Scenic Southland
Sightseeing
The Captivating Catlins is a "hidden gem". A place of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, forests, sandy beaches, waterfalls and both hilly and rolling green farmland. With its comparative remoteness and stunning vistas, its a great destination
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Catlins Forest Park
The Captivating Catlins is a "hidden gem". A place of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, forests, sandy beaches, waterfalls and both hilly and rolling green farmland. With its comparative remoteness and stunning vistas, its a great destination
Succulent Bluff seafood headlined by the iconic Bluff Oyster, spectacular bush walks, panoramic views from Bluff Hill, the Stirling Point signpost at the beginning of SH1 and so much more! Have you even been to Southland without the iconic Stirling Point photo evidence?!
Bluff Harbour
Succulent Bluff seafood headlined by the iconic Bluff Oyster, spectacular bush walks, panoramic views from Bluff Hill, the Stirling Point signpost at the beginning of SH1 and so much more! Have you even been to Southland without the iconic Stirling Point photo evidence?!
Cosy Nook is a picturesque rocky cove sheltering several fishing boats and holiday cribs. It is an important cultural and historical Maori settlement site, and my favourite place on a stormy day.
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Cosy Nook (cove)
353 Mullet RdCosy Nook is a picturesque rocky cove sheltering several fishing boats and holiday cribs. It is an important cultural and historical Maori settlement site, and my favourite place on a stormy day.
On Gemstone Beach the surf has been known to wash up semi-precious gems such as garnet, jasper, quartz and nephrite for keen explorers to find. The beach is in a constant state of change with the surface shifting from sand to stones with the storms and tides. 'Gems' have often been found amongst the beautiful array of multi coloured rocks, and in the least your fossicking is guaranteed to uncover some very interesting stones. Also a great beach for surfcasting.
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Gemstone Beach
On Gemstone Beach the surf has been known to wash up semi-precious gems such as garnet, jasper, quartz and nephrite for keen explorers to find. The beach is in a constant state of change with the surface shifting from sand to stones with the storms and tides. 'Gems' have often been found amongst the beautiful array of multi coloured rocks, and in the least your fossicking is guaranteed to uncover some very interesting stones. Also a great beach for surfcasting.
Stop in to Riverton for lunch on your way to Cosy Nook, Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach, or dinner on your way back. Be sure to drive up to the Riverton Rocks lookout for fantastic views back over to Oreti Beach.
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Riverton
Stop in to Riverton for lunch on your way to Cosy Nook, Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach, or dinner on your way back. Be sure to drive up to the Riverton Rocks lookout for fantastic views back over to Oreti Beach.
Te Anau is known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Te Anau Caves feature a limestone grotto of glowworms and an underground waterfall. To the southwest, the Kepler Track winds through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains.
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Te Anau
Te Anau is known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The region is home to endangered, flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Te Anau Caves feature a limestone grotto of glowworms and an underground waterfall. To the southwest, the Kepler Track winds through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains.
Manapouri township is a 20-minute drive from Te Anau via State Highway 95 The town is the gateway to both Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound and the starting point for many local walking tracks. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the summer months.
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Lake Manapouri
Manapouri township is a 20-minute drive from Te Anau via State Highway 95 The town is the gateway to both Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound and the starting point for many local walking tracks. It is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the summer months.
Monkey Island can be reached by foot at low tide, and offers good views of the beach and distant mountains.
Monkey Island Beach
27 Monkey Island RdMonkey Island can be reached by foot at low tide, and offers good views of the beach and distant mountains.
Ten kilometres west of Invercargill, Oreti Beach was a key location for the film 'The World's Fastest Indian', which tells the story of Southland's motorcycling hero Burt Munro. At around 26 kilometres in length, the beach provided Munro with a testing and racing site for his modified Indian motorcycle. In February 1957 Munro set a New Zealand Open Beach record of 131.38 mph at Oreti Beach; in 1975 he raised this to 136 mph.
Fantastic sunsets, and one of only a handful of beaches in NZ that you can legally drive a vehicle on.
Oreti Beach
25 Dune CresTen kilometres west of Invercargill, Oreti Beach was a key location for the film 'The World's Fastest Indian', which tells the story of Southland's motorcycling hero Burt Munro. At around 26 kilometres in length, the beach provided Munro with a testing and racing site for his modified Indian motorcycle. In February 1957 Munro set a New Zealand Open Beach record of 131.38 mph at Oreti Beach; in 1975 he raised this to 136 mph.
Fantastic sunsets, and one of only a handful of beaches in NZ that you can legally drive a vehicle on.
Nugget Point is an iconic panoramic platform on the Catlins coast with one of the country’s oldest lighthouses perched above the famous rocks named by Captain Cook because they looked like pieces of gold.
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Leuchtturm Nugget Point
The Nuggets RoadNugget Point is an iconic panoramic platform on the Catlins coast with one of the country’s oldest lighthouses perched above the famous rocks named by Captain Cook because they looked like pieces of gold.
To the south of New Zealand's South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura is a one-hour ferry ride from Bluff or 20 minutes by plane from Invercargill and is New Zealand’s third largest island and home to Rakiura National Park. Snorkeling, hiking, kiwi watching and a good pub meal are all on offer here.
Stewart Island / Rakiura
To the south of New Zealand's South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura is a one-hour ferry ride from Bluff or 20 minutes by plane from Invercargill and is New Zealand’s third largest island and home to Rakiura National Park. Snorkeling, hiking, kiwi watching and a good pub meal are all on offer here.
2019)
Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. Spectacular views of windswept trees, southern ocean waves crashing onto the rocks and a photo opportunity at an iconic signpost are features of this southernmost point of the South Island.
Slope Point's End
2019)
Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand. Spectacular views of windswept trees, southern ocean waves crashing onto the rocks and a photo opportunity at an iconic signpost are features of this southernmost point of the South Island.
My favourite lookout point on a clear day, McCracken's Rest is a lookout and rest area perched on the edge of the cliff with commanding views of Te Waewae Bay and the tiny one million year old Solander Islands, formed by the eroded skeleton of a volcano. According to Maori legend, the Solanders are the broken tooth and crumbs tossed aside by Kewa the whale, when it chewed between Stewart Island (Rakiura) and the mainland.
Other highlights include views of Sand Hill Point, the Hump Ridge, Pahia Point and Stewart Island - you may even catch a glimpse of New Zealand"s largest pod of Hector"s Dolphins! McCracken's Rest is the perfect place to pause in your journey to take in the scenery and fresh air, and of course to take the classic traveller's photo in front of the signpost.
Named after the landowners, Robert and David McCracken, the area includes parking space, a viewing platform, and picnic tables.
McCracken's rest
805 Tuatapere-Orepuki HwyMy favourite lookout point on a clear day, McCracken's Rest is a lookout and rest area perched on the edge of the cliff with commanding views of Te Waewae Bay and the tiny one million year old Solander Islands, formed by the eroded skeleton of a volcano. According to Maori legend, the Solanders are the broken tooth and crumbs tossed aside by Kewa the whale, when it chewed between Stewart Island (Rakiura) and the mainland.
Other highlights include views of Sand Hill Point, the Hump Ridge, Pahia Point and Stewart Island - you may even catch a glimpse of New Zealand"s largest pod of Hector"s Dolphins! McCracken's Rest is the perfect place to pause in your journey to take in the scenery and fresh air, and of course to take the classic traveller's photo in front of the signpost.
Named after the landowners, Robert and David McCracken, the area includes parking space, a viewing platform, and picnic tables.
Recreation
Think of basically any sort of recreational club and this is where you'll find it along with fabulous day walks and river tracks, just a 5 minute drive from Oki St.
Sandy Point Domain offers important environmental and recreational resources, providing opportunities for picnicking, play, walking, biking, running and as an educational classroom.
Sandy Point
Think of basically any sort of recreational club and this is where you'll find it along with fabulous day walks and river tracks, just a 5 minute drive from Oki St.
Sandy Point Domain offers important environmental and recreational resources, providing opportunities for picnicking, play, walking, biking, running and as an educational classroom.
Mores Scenic Reserve - Riverton
163 Richard StFosbender Park
310 Dunns RoadForest walk
Invercargill Estuary View Point
EstuaryBoardwalk through the estuary
Oreti River
Some great swimming spots, plus fishing, boating and jetskiing
Daffodil Bay
Beautiful water and forest walk
Restaurant & Bar
Cabbage Tree is a 3 minute drive or 25 minute walk from Oki St, with an extensive pub grub menu and large beer garden.
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The Cabbage Tree Restaurant
379 Dunns RdCabbage Tree is a 3 minute drive or 25 minute walk from Oki St, with an extensive pub grub menu and large beer garden.
Ziff's is a local institution owned by local legend Allan Arnold, who also owns Buster Crabbs in town. Ziff's has a fantastic deck for long afternoons in the summer, and two crackling fireplaces for cosy evening dinners in the winter. Ziff's offers a courtesy van service usually operated by Allan himself.
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Ziff's Cafe & Bar
143 Dunns RdZiff's is a local institution owned by local legend Allan Arnold, who also owns Buster Crabbs in town. Ziff's has a fantastic deck for long afternoons in the summer, and two crackling fireplaces for cosy evening dinners in the winter. Ziff's offers a courtesy van service usually operated by Allan himself.
The Crib Café
135 Palmerston StDelicious food in a funky setting at Riverton
Another great waterfront location for a meal in Riverton
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Beachhouse Restaurant
126 Rocks HwyAnother great waterfront location for a meal in Riverton
Buster Crabb
326 Dee StGreat place to track down those Bluffies
The Auction House
20 Don StBustling vibe, great menu and cabinet food
Amigos Mexican Grill Invercargill
10 Dee StreetWho doesn't like a good taco washed down with a margarita!
Koji Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
76 Tay StGood food, great location with lovely big deck on the water at Riverton
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Aparima Restaurant and Bar
17 Orepuki-Riverton HwyGood food, great location with lovely big deck on the water at Riverton
Good vegan selection with pizzas, small menu and cabinet food. Craft beer, live music.
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Tuatara Backpackers Lodge
30-32 Dee StGood vegan selection with pizzas, small menu and cabinet food. Craft beer, live music.
Waxy's Irish Pub
90 Dee StPub food, live music, good for a rowdy night out.
Crafty’s Bar & Grill
Craft beer, southern style meals
The Taproom Eatery & Craft Bar
Craft beer with own brewery, decent meals.
Family Fun
Demolition World is a place like no other. This hidden Invercargill gem will take you on a journey back through time into a world entirely constructed from demolished buildings and recycled items.
Wander down the main street of our secret town and visit the haunted theatre, historic school, church and sweet store.
Demolition World
290 Bain StDemolition World is a place like no other. This hidden Invercargill gem will take you on a journey back through time into a world entirely constructed from demolished buildings and recycled items.
Wander down the main street of our secret town and visit the haunted theatre, historic school, church and sweet store.
Great for kids and adults alike, gardens, playground, fitness tracks, aviary, animal reserve, golf club plus various events throughout the year
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Queens Park
Great for kids and adults alike, gardens, playground, fitness tracks, aviary, animal reserve, golf club plus various events throughout the year
Dig This Invercargill
84 Otepuni AveHave a turn on a digger!
Takeaway Food
Uncles Invercargill Ltd
Gala StreetFood truck with hands down THE BEST takeaways in town 🙌🏼