Southland

The deep south: the fiords and Great Walks of Fiordland, the wild Catlins coast and Rakiura / Stewart Island, one of the best places in the country to see a kiwi in the wild.

Highlights

• Milford Sound / Piopiotahi Cruise or kayak beneath sheer cliffs and waterfalls; the drive from Te Anau is spectacular.
• Doubtful Sound / Patea Bigger and quieter than Milford, reached by boat and bus from Manapōuri.
• Great Walks The Milford, Kepler and Routeburn tracks start near Te Anau and Glenorchy; book huts early.
• Rakiura / Stewart Island A short ferry from Bluff to bush walks, birdlife and kiwi spotting.
• The Catlins Waterfalls, petrified forest and sea lions on a quiet coastal route to Dunedin.

Best time to go

December to March for the longest days and Great Walk season (late October to April). Fiordland is wet, and rain makes the waterfalls even better.

Getting there

Te Anau is about two hours’ drive from Queenstown; Milford Sound is another two hours or so on. Invercargill has an airport, and ferries to Stewart Island leave from Bluff.

Main towns

Invercargill, Te Anau, Manapōuri, Bluff, Riverton, Oban (Stewart Island)