Southern comforts

Southland has more than its fair share of visitor magnets. One that somehow hasn’t had its full due is the Catlins, a breathtaking coastal stretch between Balclutha and Invercargill. Visit a petrified forest at Curio Bay, feel awed by the echoing Cathedral Caves, or choose which waterfall is your favourite; the 22-metre McLean Falls surrounded by dark-green mossy rocks, or the three-tiered Purakaunui Falls. Everything seems untouched in the Catlins, sort of other-worldly, and a trip here won’t be easily forgotten. Remember to try the local delicacy while you’re in these parts, if you can; the famed whitebait fritter. Catlins Cafe is a cosy spot to chow down on them, or just a hot cuppa, on a comfy couch next to the fire.

If it’s oysters you’re into, you’ll have heard of those from Bluff, said to be some of the best in all the land. While you can find these fresh beauties throughout the country during the season (March to approx. August), there’s something special about eating them in their namesake town. There’s a number of places to pick from but Fowler’s seems to always get high praise. If you’re unlucky and fresh oysters aren’t on the menu, they also do a mean fish and chips.

And now we can’t help but mention one of those Southland visitor magnets too: the mighty Doubtful Sound. The fact there is no road here – you need to be transported by boat and then by bus – means it receives only a fraction of the visitors compared to Milford Sound and remains relatively untouched, a true wilderness experience. Throw in the resident bottlenose dolphins that are a common sight here and there’s nothing doubtful about it – just go.