Southland Region Travel Guide
Region
Southland supplies access to Fiordland-Milford Sound cruises and the Kepler Track-plus Invercargill’s colonial streets, the Southern Scenic Route and ferry connections to Stewart Island for birdlife.
Why Visit Southland Region #
Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises that showcase steep fjords, rainforest and waterfalls; overnight boat trips add quiet wildlife hours that day trips miss. Book early in peak season - Milford is world-famous and fills fast.
Rakiura / Stewart Island is southern isolation at its best: hut-based tramping on the Rakiura Track, nocturnal kiwi-spotting, and empty beaches. Ferries from Bluff are short; bring patience for rustic accommodation and rewarding birdlife.
Bluff oysters are a Southland obsession for good reason - taste them freshly shucked in Bluff or at the annual Oyster & Food Festival. Don’t expect subtlety; these oysters are briny and rich and worth the trip if you like shellfish.
The Catlins packs sea stacks, waterfalls and rare wildlife into a short southeastern coastline - see Nugget Point lighthouse, sea lions at Curio Bay and temperate rainforest walks without large tour groups. Roads can be gravel and slow, so allow extra travel time.
Drive the Southern Scenic Route for a sampler of Southland’s coastal and alpine contrasts, from Invercargill’s civic past to dramatic fiords and farmland. Stop at small cafés and historic pubs to meet locals rather than sticking to the main viewpoints.
Who's Southland Region For?
Overnight cruises on Milford Sound and remote lodges near Doubtful Sound are quintessential romantic experiences, with dramatic fjords and waterfalls as the backdrop.
Stewart Island offers kid-friendly kiwi-spotting walks and short nature trails, though long transfers to reach sights can be challenging for young children.
Popular Great Walks like the Kepler Track draw backpackers for multi-day tramps; Invercargill and Te Anau provide budget accommodation and outdoor operator hubs.
Connectivity is limited outside main towns; Te Anau and Invercargill have cafes with wifi, but remote work here requires planning and offline options.
Taste world-famous Bluff oysters and robust southern seafood; small coastal towns and artisanal producers deliver memorable, terroir-driven meals.
Fiordland is hardcore: multi-day tramping, sea-kayaking among towering cliffs and backcountry routes demand skill and reward with untamed wilderness.
Nightlife is minimal-occasional festivals and pub nights in Invercargill, but no real club scene; most visitors come for nature, not parties.
This is one of the world’s premier wild places: fjords, rare birds, untouched forests and the chance to hear true silence on Stewart Island.
Best Places to Visit in Southland Region
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Where to Go in Southland Region #
Fiordland
This is New Zealand’s most dramatic wilderness: towering fiords, plunging waterfalls, and vast, glacier-carved valleys. Cruises and sea-kayaks are the classic ways to experience sheer cliffs and abundant wildlife. Overnight stays and remote lodges are common, so expect fewer crowds in shoulder seasons and unforgettable, moody landscapes year-round.
Top Spots
- Milford Sound/Piopiotahi - Spectacular fiord cruises beneath sheer cliffs and waterfalls.
- Doubtful Sound - Remote, wildlife-rich kayak and cruise experiences.
- Te Anau - Base town for lake cruises and Great Walks.
The Catlins
Rugged coastline, sea caves, and dense native bush characterize this southern coastal strip. Wildlife encounters (sea lions, penguins) and dramatic headlands make it a favorite for photographers and walkers. Roads are slower and more remote; take your time and plan for tide-dependent attractions.
Top Spots
- Nugget Point - Coastal lighthouse and seal colonies on rocky headlands.
- Curio Bay - Fossil forest and rare marine life at the shore.
- Cathedral Caves - Accessible by low-tide cave walk along dramatic coastline.
Stewart Island
Off the southern coast, Stewart Island (Rakiura) is dense native bush, quiet beaches, and exceptional birdlife, including nocturnal kiwi sightings. The island feels intentionally remote: small lodgings, few roads, and a strong focus on walking and wildlife. It’s the place to switch off, walk coastal tracks, and enjoy unhurried nature.
Top Spots
- Oban - Small settlement serving as the island’s hub and birdwatching base.
- Rakiura National Park - Wild trails and excellent kiwi-spotting at night.
- Halfmoon Bay - Peaceful bays and fishing charters.
Invercargill & Plains
Low-slung towns and sweeping pastoral plains characterize Southland’s inhabited heart. Invercargill provides practical services and quirky museums, while coastal towns serve fresh seafood and access to ferry services. This area combines strong regional character with easy access to major attractions such as Bluff and southern Peninsula drives.
Top Spots
- Invercargill - Southern city with museums, classic architecture, and craft breweries.
- Riverton - Coastal town with fishing history and surf beaches.
- Bluff - Famous for oysters and the ferry to Stewart Island.
Top Things to Do in Southland Region
All Attractions ›
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- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi (Fiordland) - Deep glacial fiord accessed from Te Anau, with boat cruises revealing sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
- Te Anau and Te Anau Glowworm Caves - Gateway town to Fiordland offering guided cave tours featuring subterranean glowworm chambers accessible by scenic boat.
- Stewart Island / Rakiura - Island retreat south of the South Island famous for nocturnal birdlife, Rakiura Track hiking, and relaxed fishing communities.
- Fiordland National Park (lake and mountain scenery) - Vast wilderness with world-class tramping, lakes, and remote alpine fiords forming New Zealand's largest national park.
- Invercargill and Bill Richardson Transport World - Southern city with an extensive vehicle collection museum and access point for local southern coast explorations.
- Curio Bay Fossil Forest - Jurassic-era petrified forest visible at low tide, with nearby marine wildlife and quiet coastal walks available.
- Haldane Estuary (Riverton) - Estuary and coastal reserve abundant with birdlife and peaceful walking trails popular with local families and anglers.
- McCracken Rakiura Scenic Lookouts - Small viewpoints on Stewart Island offering expansive coastal panoramas and often solitary birdwatching opportunities.
- Riverton Rocks and Jetty - Old fishing town with historic wharf, casual seafood eateries, and easy coastal strolls away from major tourist hubs.
- Milford Road (Te Anau-Milford Sound) - About 118 kilometres of mountain road past Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel, culminating at Milford Sound cruise terminals.
- Southern Scenic Route (through The Catlins) - Coastal circuit from Dunedin to Invercargill and Te Anau, roughly 600 kilometres, linking beaches, waterfalls, and coastal wildlife.
- Rakiura Track (Stewart Island multi-day hike) - A three-day Great Walk offering rugged coastal scenery and abundant birdlife, accessed via Oban ferry from Bluff.
- Bluff to Riverton coastal drive - Short southern coastal drive showcasing seaside towns, cliff viewpoints, and access to coastal reserves and beaches.
Planning Your Trip to Southland Region #
Weekend Southland Region Itinerary
Base in Invercargill and Te Anau, cruise Milford Sound, visit Stewart Island, drive the Catlins for penguins, waterfalls, and coastal cliffs with remote roads and wildlife viewing.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Invercargill; short city highlights and Bluff oysters if in season.
- Day 2 - Drive to Te Anau; lakeside walk and glowworm caves option.
- Day 3 - Milford Sound day cruise from Te Anau and return.
1 Week Southland Region Itinerary
Combine Catlins coastal drives with Te Anau and Milford Sound cruises, add Stewart Island if time allows for seabird and penguin encounters on quieter tracks.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Invercargill; Queens Park and local museum.
- Day 2 - Drive to The Catlins; Nugget Point lighthouse and seal colonies.
- Day 3 - Continue to Curio Bay for fossil forest and penguin sighting.
- Day 4 - Te Anau arrival and lakeside relaxation.
- Day 5 - Milford Sound cruise and short rainforest walks.
- Day 6 - Drive back to Invercargill via scenic coastal stops.
- Day 7 - Optional Stewart Island day ferry from Bluff or depart.
2 Weeks Southland Region Itinerary
A full Southland circuit: Catlins, Invercargill, Te Anau and Fiordland multi-day fiord tours, plus optional Stewart Island for remote beaches, seabirds, and slow southern roads.
Show itinerary- Day 1-3 - Explore Invercargill and head east through the Catlins.
- Day 4-6 - Extended time in The Catlins for waterfalls and wildlife.
- Day 7-9 - Te Anau base and Fiordland short walks.
- Day 10-12 - Multi-day Milford or Doubtful Sound tours and deeper fiord exploration.
- Day 13-14 - Stewart Island overnight option or return southern coastal route.
Getting to & Around Southland Region #
Invercargill (IVC) is the principal gateway; most visitors arrive by air or by road from Queenstown or Dunedin via the state highway network. Bluff provides ferries to Stewart Island/Oban; Te Anau is the staging town for Milford Sound via SH94. Distances are long, so flights to Invercargill or nearby Queenstown are common starting points.
Southland’s remoteness and access to Fiordland and Stewart Island make travel more about long drives and weather-dependent links than short inter-city hops. Seasonal road closures, widely spaced services and ferry timetables to Stewart Island are more important considerations here than in New Zealand’s more compact regions.
- Domestic Flights - Invercargill Airport (IVC) is the primary air gateway with regular services to Christchurch and Wellington; flights are useful to bridge long road distances in the far south. Small local air services also link to Stewart Island in summer.
- Ferries - Bluff ferry services run to Oban on Stewart Island (Rakiura), providing the only regular public-transport link to Stewart Island - check timetables and weather sensitivity before travel. The Bluff ferry is the starting point for island visitors and day-trippers.
- Rental Car - Southland is best explored by car - SH1 reaches Invercargill and SH94 (Milford Road) leads from Te Anau into Fiordland. Mountainous stretches such as the Milford Road can have winter restrictions and occasional closures; allow extra time and fuel.
- Buses - Coach services such as InterCity connect Invercargill, Te Anau and other towns to Queenstown and Dunedin; services are essential if you do not drive but run less frequently than in the North Island.
Where to Stay in Southland Region #
Southland (Invercargill, Te Anau, Fiordland, Stewart Island) is the gateway to Fiordland and Southern wilderness, so expect a range from budget motels to high-end lodges. Small-town inventory can sell out quickly during summer and kea/kiwi season.
Invercargill and Te Anau offer the most motel and hotel choices, useful for Milford Sound and Fiordland access. Te Anau is the practical base for overnighting before excursions.
Luxury and boutique lodges near Milford Sound and Lake Te Anau cater to visitors seeking guided excursions and wilderness packages. These lodges often include transfers and meals.
Te Anau, Manapouri and Stewart Island have holiday parks with cabins and campsites, ideal for budget travellers and trampers preparing for multi-day tracks like Kepler or Rakiura National Park.
Backpacker lodges in Te Anau and Bluff suit independent hikers and budget travellers, with communal kitchens and easy access to tour operators.
Rural cottages and farm stays across Southland give a quieter country base, and private cabins are available near lakes and rivers for anglers and birdwatchers.