Itineraries

Southern Scenic Route

The journey between Queenstown and Dunedin is a series of natural or cultural attractions laid out one after the other – wildlife viewing, short and multi-day walks, mountain-biking, fishing, boating, caving and more – making it an ideal holiday drive for those with time to explore.
The route is well signposted, guiding visitors from Queenstown to Dunedin (or vice versa) with many small communities in between – each one with it's own delights and unique history. Along the way are remote beaches, lush rainforest, pristine lakes and stunning mountain vistas.

Invercargill & Bluff:

Invercargill's elegant and spacious parks, striking architecture and thriving city centre make it a great place to live and visit.

Western Southland:

With the wilderness of Fiordland National Park and a ruggedly beautiful coastline, Western Southland is a great place to slow down and relax.

Fiordland:

Fiordland is a wonderland of wilderness and walking experiences. Te Anau and Manapouri have a variety of excellent accommodation, dining and retail options.

Queenstown:

This vibrant alpine resort offers spectacular scenery, golf, mountain-biking, walks, Central Otago wines, and more.

Dunedin:

A visit to the dynamic, historic and entertaining city of Dunedin is not complete without experiencing the thriving wildlife, rugged coastal landscapes and invigorating walks around Otago Peninsula.

Balclutha:

Straddling the mighty Clutha River, Balclutha is a great base for trout fishing, or explore the wildlife and walking tracks along the coast.

The Catlins:

Journey along the rugged and remote southern coastline. Discover native forests, even a petrified forest, hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls. Observe extraordinary wildlife including penguins and sea lions.


For more information check out their website.

Stewart Island day trip

To help you plan your time on Stewart Island and in the Southland region we have put together some itineraries that you may wish to consider. Readily accessible by ferry, Stewart Island is perfect for a day excursion or an extended stay. Suggestions include a full day trip, a shorter day trip and one and two overnight itineraries Option 1 (From Invercargill or Bluff)
9.30 am	Ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island
11.00 am	Village and Bays Tour
	Optional extras – Museum visit and lunch in Oban township
12.45 pm	Paterson Inlet Cruise including a guided walk on Ulva Island (Picnic lunches available; must be pre-ordered)
	Optional extras - rent a car or mountain bike or enjoy a short forest walk
6.30 pm	Ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff
Option 2
11 am	Ferry from Bluff to Stewart Island
12.30 pm	Optional extras - lunch in the Oban township
	Stewart Island is renowned for its seafood: blue cod, mussels and crayfish are specialities
4.00 pm	Village and Bays Tour
	Optional extras – go for a short walk or enjoy local hospitality
6.30 pm	Ferry from Stewart Island to Bluff

Stewart Island Tour

Stewart Island is a truly magnificent, unspoilt paradise that has a true character of its own.

Suggested Time: 1 day

Day One    Invercargill - Stewart Island

• Travel to Stewart Island either by plane from Invercargill (flight time 20 minutes) or by ferry from Bluff (travel time one  hour) 
• Oban is Stewart Island's only township and with just a handful of kilometres of sealed road, this island is mainly covered by native bush, sand dunes and wetlands. The breathtakingly beautiful beaches are sufficient to gaze at for hours on end.
• Spend the rest of the morning on the crystal clear water trying your hand at the excellent fishing, diving and sea kayaking that the island has to offer.
• Enjoy lunch at one of the cafes or fish and chips on the beach! 
• Take a village tour to see the highlights of what the township has to offer.
• Return by ferry to Bluff or fly back to Invercargill.
   
  

Bluff Day Trip

Thirty kilometres south of Invercargill and nestled above Foveaux Strait, lies the port town of Bluff, home to the iconic Bluff Oyster and the gateway to Stewart Island.

Suggested Time: 1 day

Day One    Invercargill - Bluff

• Leaving from Invercargill, head south on SH1 to Bluff, one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand.
• In the centre of the town you’ll find Bluff Maritime Museum, where you can delve into the rich maritime history of Bluff with displays on oystering, whaling, & shipwrecks.Be sure to check out the museum’s newest and biggest attraction - the oystering vessel ‘The Monica’ – where you can board and explore the boat, imagining what it was like out in Foveaux Strait dredging Bluff’s famous delicacy.
• After leaving the museum head up to the top of Bluff Hill. From the summit at 824 feet above sea level are inspiring views of Foveaux Strait, Stewart Island, Ruapuke Island, Dog Island, Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter and Invercargill.
• A trip to Bluff wouldn’t be complete without indulging in one of New Zealand’s finest delicacies – the Bluff Oyster. This time however, try an oyster at Stella’s Bakery, home of the famous oyster pies! With over a decade of experience and a few 'secret ingredients', Stella’s recipe is the best in New Zealand! Available in season only, each oyster pie contains three oysters, each of which is painstakingly counted.
• After lunch take the short drive to Stirling Point, located at the beginning (and end) of State Highway 1. Stirling Point is famous for its signpost, which has featured in thousands of photographs with tourists from all around the world! The signpost gives the distances to some of the world’s most famous cities. The Point is named after Captain William Stirling who established a Whaling Station nearby in 1836.
• If you’re feeling energetic, take one of the various walking tracks leaving from the Point along the rugged untouched coastline.
• Otherwise enjoy a drink at Stirling Point taking in the sea views of Foveaux Strait before heading back to Invercargill.

Gore

A day of culture and heritage beckons in the southern rural town of Gore. And for added adventure take to the skies for spectacular views of Southland’s rural scenery.

Suggested Time: 1 day

• This morning drive out to the Croydon Aircraft Company located at New Zealand’s oldest aerodrome, Mandeville airfield. Recognised as world leaders in restoration work, the company specialises in planes of the 1930’s era. Watch as the workers lovingly restore planes to their former glory.
• Then, for a thrill beyond compare, take to the skies in a vintage Tiger Moth or, for the daring; an adrenalin-filled acrobatic joy ride may beckon.
• With your feet firmly back on the ground enjoy lunch at the aviation themed Moth cafe situated at the old airfield.
• The Gore Art Gallery and Precinct beckons in the afternoon with a visit to the Eastern Southland Art Gallery. Featuring the international art collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money, and a large body of artwork by leading contemporary artist Ralph Hotere the Gallery also hosts a programme of changing exhibitions.
• Continue the afternoon of history and culture at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. Hear and see an interactive display about the illicit trade of whiskey that Gore was famous for during Prohibition. Exploring over 130 years of illicit whisky making, the museum examines the southern drinking culture. See how local moonshiners coped in the face of police opposition and how Kiwi ingenuity foiled (and often failed to foil) the Customs men.

Burt Munroe Itinerary

A day of culture and heritage beckons in the southern rural town of Gore. And for added adventure take to the skies for spectacular views of Southland’s rural scenery.

Suggested Time: 1 day

• This morning drive out to the Croydon Aircraft Company located at New Zealand’s oldest aerodrome, Mandeville airfield. Recognised as world leaders in restoration work, the company specialises in planes of the 1930’s era. Watch as the workers lovingly restore planes to their former glory.
• Then, for a thrill beyond compare, take to the skies in a vintage Tiger Moth or, for the daring; an adrenalin-filled acrobatic joy ride may beckon.
• With your feet firmly back on the ground enjoy lunch at the aviation themed Moth cafe situated at the old airfield.
• The Gore Art Gallery and Precinct beckons in the afternoon with a visit to the Eastern Southland Art Gallery. Featuring the international art collection of expatriate New Zealander Dr John Money, and a large body of artwork by leading contemporary artist Ralph Hotere the Gallery also hosts a programme of changing exhibitions.
• Continue the afternoon of history and culture at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum. Hear and see an interactive display about the illicit trade of whiskey that Gore was famous for during Prohibition. Exploring over 130 years of illicit whisky making, the museum examines the southern drinking culture. See how local moonshiners coped in the face of police opposition and how Kiwi ingenuity foiled (and often failed to foil) the Customs men.