You’re due South! Our guide to exploring Southland and Clutha
Top reasons to stay a while in the Southland and Clutha regions.
When was the last time you saw swirling galaxies in the night sky, chased waterfalls, watched the sun setting over fiords or ate an oyster fresh from the ocean? Too long? Then you’re due south.
This untouched region ticks all the boxes. It’s got waterfalls, five great walks, juicy bluff oysters, and abundant wildlife. Not to mention giant cheese rolls.
To help you plan your next epic adventure south, we’ve put together a quick guide to the most unforgettable experiences in the southern regions.
TASTE SOUTHLAND DELICACIES
Some say Bluff oysters are the tastiest in the world, and we tend to agree. These succulent little beauties are in season from March to August and the best time to eat them is during autumn.
Find them fresh and raw at Oyster Cove, a restaurant and bar in Bluff with panoramic views over the ocean at New Zealand’s Southernmost point. To try more Southland delicacies, head to The Batch in Invercargill where they serve a wicked cheese roll. We’re talking buttery, toasted white bread with a gooey cheese centre.
For lunch, try Fat Bastard Pies, an Invercargill icon that usually has a line out the door. Our favourite is the Little Fat Lamb with roasted kumara and tender lamb pieces slathered in homemade gravy (no judgement if you order a second!).
If you’re visiting Invercargill from June, be the first to take a moment to check out the area’s brand new CBD with a new hotel, open air laneways, shops, cafes and bars. All due to open this winter.
GO INTO THE WILD
Southland is home to New Zealand’s last truly untouched, primordial wilderness - it’s the same today as it was thousands of years ago. Here you’ll find five great walks, including the Rakiura Track or New Zealand’s newest Great Walk, The Hump Ridge Track.
Or for something a little more accessible, journey to The Catlins and explore the Purakaunui Falls, one of New Zealand’s most photographed sites. A 15-minute track from the carpark will take you through a mature beech forest to a viewing platform where you’ll see the “This untouched region ticks all the boxes. It’s got waterfalls, five great walks, juicy bluff oysters, and abundant wildlife. Not to mention giant cheese rolls.”
Falls cascading in hundreds of streams down a vast rockface.
If you’re a lover of wildlife, A Catlins Scenic and Wildlife Tour is a great way to have an up-close encounter. Book the Sunrise Tour and you’ll see the rarest penguins in the world, Yellow Eyed Penguins (Hoiho), waking up and going out to sea. You might also spot New Zealand fur seals stretching and sunbathing on the beach.
While you’re in The Catlins, don’t miss Nugget Point and its famous lighthouse. From this iconic building on the cliff’s edge, you’ll look out over a blue expanse, dotted with the golden nuggetshaped rocks the area is named after. The raw, untouched beaches near the lighthouse are worth a visit too - they’ll make you feel like you’re at the end of the earth.
To learn more about the incredible natural environment in Clutha and start planning your trip, visit cluthanz.com/stayawhile.
VISIT AN ISLAND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EARTH
Speaking of the end of the earth, have you ever been to Rakiura Stewart Island? This rugged land mass sits alone in the Southern Ocean, bursting at the seams with natural wonders and rare wildlife.
Ulva Island is a predator-free open bird sanctuary just off its coast that’s almost entirely unchanged by human activity. See it all, learn about the island’s primaeval rainforest and abundant native species with Ulva Guided Walks, a locally owned and operated tour company.
To encounter the island’s rarest, shyest locals, book in with Wild Kiwi Encounters. Their tour includes an evening cruise around Ulva Island and Little Glory Cove, and fascinating commentary on the history of Stewart Island. Once the sun goes down, you’ll return to shore and set off on a walk via torchlight through native forests and beaches looking out for Southern Brown Kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) as they search for food.
If you’d rather see the area’s incredible marine life, book with Rakiura Charters, who’ll take you on a fully commentated one-hour-long cruise of the southern bays. If you’re lucky, you’ll see NZ sea lions, several species of penguins, and maybe even bottlenose dolphins!
LOOK UP AT THE STARS
When each day is done at Stewart Island, you’ll be tired from all the exploring. But stay up a little later, look up at the night sky and you’ll witness something magical.
Because the island’s sky is almost free of light pollution, it’s been named an international Dark Sky Sanctuary, and features millions of stars shining brightly and swirling in brilliant galaxies. To see even more, from the craters of the Moon to the centre of our galaxy, book a Twinkle Night Sky Tour. Their experts will lend you high powered binoculars and telescopes and show you the most stunning sights in our solar system.
SOAK UP THE HISTORY OF SOUTHLAND FROM THE SADDLE
If cycling is your thing, then you’re in the right place, Southland is home to some of Ngā Haerenga New Zealand’s Great Rides.
Follow in the footsteps of gold miners and pioneer settlers with the Clutha Gold Cycling and Walking Trail. A 73km trail along the country’s largest fastest river, the mighty clutha. This ride starts and finishes in historical Lawrence, home to boutique shops, quirky cafes and wonderful architecture. Stay a while here and travel back in time by visiting the Lawrence Chinese Camp and Gabriel’s Gully.
If you’re after a longer ride, embark on the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail. Offering leisurely riding with endless mountain views and wide well-kept paths. This trail is best enjoyed as a 4-5 day journey.
Clutha & Southland are unique and unspoilt. Take a journey off the beaten track to this amazing area of New Zealand, which celebrates nature and history. Come and meet the locals, soak up the scenery and stay a while, to discover more visit www.cluthanz.com or www.southlandnz.com