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The home page of everything you need to know about Southland, local community events, visitor information.

This guide is a proven high quality, up-to-date, reader friendly online publication and includes the celebrated Southern Scenic Route that takes you along the rugged southern coastline, the unspoilt beauty of Stewart Island, Western Southland with the picturesque seaside beach town of Riverton, The Catlins with its abundant wildlife, towering cliffs, estuaries and native forests and of course the extraordinary region of dramatic grandeur and primeval beauty Fiordland.

Southland is New Zealand's southern most province and spans the breadth of the South Island.

It's celebrated for the uniqueness and diversity of its ever-changing backdrops, so varied and yet so close.

Within a days travel, you will experience everything from towering rainforests, alpine tussocks, rolling fertile farmlands and golden beaches stretching as far as your eye can see.

You will experience nature at its best through many encounters with its abundant wildlife, bird life and marine life and you will meet the genuine, down-to-earth, friendly people who are fortunate enough to call this place home.

It's a dozen destinations all rolled into one.

Real Journeys is a locally owned company that has guided excursions into this region for more than 50 years.  They pride themselves on the quality of their service, local knowledge and award-winning environmental ethos.

Their tours will take you to some of the world’s most spectacular wilderness areas; from stunning Milford Sound in Fiordland through to the natural splendor of Stewart Island and Queenstown.

Unspoilt, relaxing and incredibly beautiful, Stewart Island is a showcase for untouched natural New Zealand.

A one hour ferry ride from Bluff across Foveaux Strait lies Stewart Island; one of New Zealand’s largely undiscovered eco-tourism destinations.  With its network of stunning bays, inlets, golden sand beaches and densely forested hills, Stewart Island combines a spectacular mix of breathtaking landscapes.

Stewart Island, known as Rakiura (‘The Isle of Glowing Skies’), is also home to New Zealand’s newest national park – Rakiura – established in 2002. The park covers almost 85 per cent of the island with fantastic coastal views and is a walkers’ paradise with a choice of tracks for all abilities.

The special unspoilt character of Stewart Island, its solitude, stunning coastal scenery, fauna, flora and its special landscape attracts nature lovers from around the world for either a one-day excursion or a more leisurely stay.

The gem of Southland. Featuring national and local exhibitions. Subantarctic Roaring 40’s cinema experience. Five art galleries, live Tuatara Enclosure, Museum Shop, Artworks Café.

If you've got an hour to spare and you're looking for a warm and pleasant place to relax and enjoy some fun and leisure or a spot of health and fitness, then come on down to Splash Palace. It's Southland's premier aquatic facility, where it's summer all year round. Splash Palace, with its southern coastal theme, is completely indoors, with lanes for lap swimming and aqua-jogging available all day. There is a swirl pool, steam room, waterslide, leisure pool and café. Open 7 days.

I have been fly fishing for trout in this part of the South Island of New Zealand for over 30 years, guiding fly fishermen and women for the last 15 years.
I have also spent a few northern summers guiding in Southwest Alaska.  As well as giving me a lot of great memories, this has given me considerable experience to help make your time here the trip of a lifetime.

Nestled at the foot of the Edendale Hill on State Highway 1 between Invercargill and Gore is a rose lovers treasure. Southern Roses is a commercial rose nursery in Southland producing high quality plants for the New Zealand market.

Stewart Island Helicopters, the professional & experienced helicopter team, providing helicopters services of all types from Stewart Island adventures to Commercial work. Situated in Bluff (only 20 mins drive from Invercargill) we are in a central position for aerial work all over Southland and Stewart Island.

At Facemakers our client-therapist relationship is built up through education, honesty and trust. Clients enjoy their experience in our tranquil environment leaving with a feeling of satisfaction and wellbeing – excited to return, knowing they can achieve results they couldn’t get elsewhere.

Our new premises feature ...

• an upgraded Lazertag gun system
• an all new arena design for faster more intense game play
• a new bigger party room
• upgraded Internet access
• a redesigned mini-golf course
• a cafeteria with hot food and cold drinks for sale

Blokarts are now rapidly becoming the worlds number one land based sail sport, so come on down to Oreti beach in Invercargill and have a go.

ASURE Evergreen Motel has 14 self contained studio, one and two bedroom units which are set back from the main road, with central radiator heating and serviced daily. 13 channels of TV, including SKY Movies and SKY Sport 1. Fully equipped kitchenette with microwave and/or cooktop and tea/coffee/toast making facilities, ensuite shower and toilet. Executive units have double-glazing, bathroom heaters and LCD TV's.

Victoria Railway Hotel
Beside the Invercargill Railway Station, the Victoria Railway Hotel was built to serve train travelers to the region. In 1907 the hotel was expanded with it's first major upgrade to cater for increased demand.

In 2003 the hotel was closed for a 12 month extensive restoration and modernisation project which has resulted in an Invercargill icon being restored to it's former glory and offering a comfortable and unique accommodation experience with modern facilities amidst historic charm and character.

Queens Park Motels are situated within  the CBD but off the main roads in a quiet peaceful neighbourhood next to the idyllic Queens Park gardens.

Mark and Maureen invite you to stay at Queens Park Motels.They will ensure you  a warm and friendly welcome and a comfortable and relaxing stay.

ASURE Amber Court Motel is conveniently located in Te Anau, the Gateway to Fiordland, and is ideal for those planning to visit Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves or the numerous world renowned walking tracks and other local sights in Fiordland. The motel is a short walk from the shores of Lake Te Anau, the centre of town, restaurants. Many of the local tourism/activity operators provide a free pick-up and drop-off service for guests directly from ASURE Amber Court Motel.

ASURE Amber Court is happy to help guests plan their stay in Fiordland while providing comfortable, relaxing accommodation with a high standard of cleanliness in modern refurbished (2009 & 2010) rooms.

Invercargill TOP 10 is located on the northern edge of New Zealand’s southernmost city. Invercargill is a provincial city with some stunning buildings and shopping and restauraunts as good as cities many times its size but without the problems of parking and getting around they have. The Southland Coastline is nature at its most raw and can be explored via the Southern Scenic Route. Invercargill is close to Fiordland, Queenstown and the Catlins. It is also the departure point for the Stewart Island ferry and flights

Welcome to Oakleigh Motel, Gore, New Zealand affordable and spacious accommodation on a quiet rear site, conveniently located close to the town centre and on the main road heading to Milford Sound (Hokonui Drive).

With the town centre, department stores, cinema, restaurants and cafés all close at hand Oakleigh Motel accommodation is ideal for families, business travellers or couples wishing to relax and enjoy Gore and its surroundings.

Oakleigh Motel accommodation, Gore has 10 spacious and well appointed units where you can enjoy a high standard of comfort and quality featuring 1 and 2 bedroom suites and studio units.

located in the centre of Kaitaia town - you can easily walk to all restaurants, shops and local conveniences. There are 25 spacious motel units available to suit individuals, couples or families. All rooms have cooking facilities and you can get restaurant meals delivered directly to your room. There is a swimming pool, spa pool and playground to keep you entertained during your stay. The motel also offers a booking and pickup service for day tours to the famous Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach - a must see during your visit to Northland!