Southland & Stewart Island
The Wild South Awaits
Here, you will encounter rare animals and a special brand of hospitality. In contrast to the dryness of Central Otago, Southland is lush and green. Tranquil waterways attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. The near-pristine southern rainforest provides opportunities for hiking and cycling. You will also encounter classic motors, world-famous Bluff oysters and the regions iconic cheese roll.
Click through to the region you wish to explore by clicking below.
Invercargill
~ CITY OF WATER & LIGHT ~
Known as the friendly city and heart of Southland, it is New Zealand’s southernmost city and gateway to some of its most beautiful scenery.
Must See and Do:
- Sample a Bluff oyster or two
- Stroll through Queens Park with its 80 hectares of gardens, wildlife and sporting fun
- View the collection of New Zealand art at the Anderson Park Art Gallery
- Even if you are not an enthusiast, you must visit ‘Bill Richardson’s Transport World’ a huge museum with an impressive vintage truck collection.
- Visit the Southern Hemisphere’s leading motorcycle museum, ‘Classic Motorcycle Mecca’
- See Burt Munro’s authentic record- breaking bike ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ at E Hayes’ downtown hardware shop
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in Invercargill, but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
Kelvin Hotel
Located in the heart of Invercargill, the Kelvin Hotel offers quality accommodation with 61 well-appointed rooms, including the King Deluxe Suite, two Suites with separate living rooms, and a three-bedroom fully equipped apartment. All rooms have high-speed broadband, good-sized work desks, minibar, SKY TV, and hotel guests are offered complimentary valet car-parking. The hotel has a House Bar, a Sports Bar with casual dining and a restaurant.
Premium King Room
These rooms have a King bed and the comforts that inner city living can provide.
Superior Suite
The Superior Suites offer plenty of space to spread out, with large separate living areas and a corner double spa bath.
King Suite
The Superior Suites offer plenty of space to spread out, with large separate living areas and a corner double spa bath.
Lodges at Transport World
If you are looking for luxury accommodation in Invercargill, the eight boutique apartments at The Lodges provide a stylish sanctuary full of thoughtful touches such as Molton Brown toiletries, café-quality coffee and Hungarian down bed covers. You have the choice of a two-bedroom Apartment, an elegant Honeymoon Suite, or The NZ Art Cottage. The two-bedroom option has the same luxury touches plus family-friendly amenities including a fully equipped kitchen. Conveniently located directly opposite Bill Richardson Transport World and The Grille café, you will be welcomed by a friendly, gracious, and helpful team.
Some of the experiences available in Invercargill are outlined below, but there are many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Bill Richardson Transport World
The largest private automotive museum of its type in the world with literally hundreds of motor vehicles and petrol pumps on display. You will be amazed by a restoration journey that has taken fifty years to establish. It is an absolute Must-See for anyone with a passion for wheels. Highlights include retro Kombi’s, Henry Ford Letter Cars, Model T’s, Diamond T Trucks, stunning 1930’s V8s and over 200 vintage petrol pumps.
If you’re not a motoring enthusiast, don’t worry as Bill Richardson Transport World has been designed to impress even the least mechanically-minded. You will find a growing Wearable Arts collection, movie theatre, children’s play zones and themed bathrooms, which are fast becoming as famous as the vehicles.
Duration: At least 2 hours
Catlins
~ LET THE CATLINS CAPTIVATE YOU ~
The amazing Catlins Coast offers rugged coastlines, indigenous wildlife, sweeping beaches, magnificent waterfalls, and Curio Bay – a petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dating back to the Jurassic Age.
Must See and Do
- Walk to Purakaunui Falls, amongst the most photographed in the world
- Stroll on the sweeping beaches at Surat and Cannibal Bay
- Explore Curio Bay’s fossilised forest
- Marvel at the view from the Nugget Point lighthouse
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in the Caitlins, but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
Curio Bay Beach House Apartment
A modern, fully self-contained apartment situated right on the beach overlooking Porpoise Bay. It has a Super-King bed, central heating, a bathroom with a shower and fantastic bath with sea views, rimu floors, kitchen with two cooking elements, and laundry facilities. The apartment is attached to the owner’s family home, but it has its own private entrance so feels secluded. Enjoy complimentary freshly ground coffee, WiFi, books and games.
Catlins Mohua Park Eco Accommodation, Tawanui
Take your pick from four spacious King Studio Eco Cottages, all offering privacy in a natural bush setting. Each cottage has incredible views overlooking lush rolling farmland and the stunning bush of the Catlins Valley. Book as a self-catered stay or Bed & Breakfast and be sure to take one of the guided scenic and wildlife tours operated by the owners to see the best of The Catlins. Born and bred locally, their knowledge of the area is extensive.
Kahu Cottage
Your own private driveway takes you to Kahu Cottage, set among native bush, overlooking the farmland and mountains. You will find all the comforts you would expect at this stylish, modern and comfortable cottage with its perfect location. It has a King Bed, bathroom, kitchenette, lounge, dining area and barbecue plus a private deck where can sit and enjoy this beautiful and tranquil setting.
Karearea, Korimako and Riroriro Cottages
You will find your own private hideaway at each of these cottages set among the native bush with all you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Stylish, modern and fully-equipped with a King and two Single beds, bathroom, kitchenette, lounge, dining area, barbecue and private deck to enjoy the views of the lush rolling farmland and Morris Saddle.
Some of the experiences available in the Catlins are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Catlins Beach, Bush and Waterfalls Tour
The Catlins area is a natural retreat where wilderness and farmland co-exist, where beech and podocarp rainforest with abundant native birdlife still extends from hilltops to the coast. The headlands and beaches of the varied coast are home to sub-Antarctic wildlife such as Yellow-Eyed Penguins, Petrels, and Sea Lions. You will see the best of the Catlins on this guided tour. It includes a visit to Cannibal, Purakaunui and Tautuku Bays where you may Spot Sea Lions. You’ll also visit Florence Hill Lookout, Lake Wilkie, Purakaunui, McLean and Matai Falls, Nugget Point Lighthouse and the Yellow-Eyed Penguins at Roaring Bay. The walking times are varied on this tour, from a maximum 40 minutes one-way walk. However, most walks for the above points of interest are 20 minutes each way. The walk is gentle with some inclines and some steps on tracks.
Duration: 6 Hours
Stewart Island
~ SIMPLY IRRESISTABLE~
New Zealand’s third island, Stewart Island, and home of the Kiwi lies 24 km off the southern tip of the South Island across Foveaux Strait. It is an ecological wonderland where the clamour of civilisation is replaced by rapturous birdsong and sounds of the sea. Rendezvous with a kiwi, visit Ulva Island bird sanctuary or walk one of the many tracks.
Must See and Do
- Go kiwi spotting in the wild
- Visit Ulva Island – a predator-free open bird sanctuary
- See the wildlife on a Paterson Inlet Cruise
- Walk the Rakiura Track, one of New Zealand’s great walks
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in Stewart Island, but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
Church Hill Boutique Lodge and Restaurant
The owners of Church Hill Boutique Lodge and Restaurant pride themselves on offering guests a unique experience with fully-hosted accommodation and some of the best dining on Stewart Island. Their emphasis is on fresh local produce, homemade and prepared to order. The Lodge’s ideal location, on the hill by the church, provides wonderful views of the bay and outer islands, yet you are within walking distance of all amenities.
The three spacious, intimate, stand-alone suites have full-glass frontages and private decks where you can relax and soak up the panoramic views.
Lodge Suites
Each suite has a Super-King bed, high quality linen, en-suite with bathrobes and slippers, Nespresso coffee machine, tea-making facilities, fresh baking and comfortable seating area with flat screen TV, DVD and WiFi.
Some of the experiences available around Stewart Island are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Village and Bays Tour
You will gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island on this mini-bus tour. Unspoiled, incredibly beautiful, and steeped in stories, Stewart Island (known as Rakiura – glowing skies – by Māori) is well worth this informative introduction. Local guides enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area, and you will have plenty of time to get off the bus for photo stops and short walks. Highlights include a visit to the gateway to Rakiura National Park at Lee Bay and Observation Rock with its stunning views of Paterson Inlet.
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Ulva Island Half Day Guided Walk
Ulva Island is an idyllic, predator-free bird sanctuary for rare and endangered bird and plant species, a paradise for birds and bird lovers. Well-maintained gravel walking-tracks weave around fallen trees, through lush native podocarp forest alive with birdsong and exquisite seasonal orchids. Your guides are experienced natural history and birding specialists; they bring their love of this special island to ensure you have a memorable experience. Birds you are likely to see include the South Island Saddleback, Stewart Island Weka, New Zealand Pigeon or Kereru, South Kaka, Yellow and Red-Crowned Parakeet, Morepork, Rifleman, New Zealand Fantail, South Island Tomtit, Stewart Island Robin, Yellowhead, Brown Creeper, Grey Warbler, New Zealand Bellbird and Tui. There are plenty of stops for photographs during the walk.
Duration: 4 Hours
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