Experience the Southern Scenic Route
Ranked as one of the top 10 drives in the world, the South Islands Southern Scenic Route is just over 600kms of stunning natural attractions, rugged coastlines, wildlife, mountain panoramas and lush rainforests. This tourist highway links Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins. Experience top South Island destinations in one round trip.
Highlights
Dunedin - Dunedin is a city rich in history, with unique landscapes and abundant wildlife. Visit Dunedin to see impressive architecture and stunning ornamental gardens. Walk the worlds steepest street, explore sea-carved sandstone cliffs, rock arches and caves. Get up-close to the rare yellow-eyed penguin, and watch sea lions hang out on the rocks on the Otago Peninsula boasting spectacular coastal views. Visit the country’s only castle or take a walk through the city and admire the historic buildings. Stay a while and explore all that Dunedin has to offer.
Wairaurahiri River - Jet boat across NZ deepest lake Lake Hauroko and onto the Wairaurahiri River, the steepest boatable river in New Zealand for an exhilarating experience. Falling 200 metres to sea level the river is 27kms of thrills and white-water rapids. The river is also known as New Zealand's longest waterfall!
The Catlins - At the extreme south-east of the South Island, The Catlins is a breathtaking region of ample wildlife, waterfalls, caves, natural beauty, enchanting forests, golden beaches, and rolling green countryside. With its relative remoteness and stunning vistas, it’s the perfect holiday destination for nature lovers.
Invercargill - Invercargill is home to a university, several museums and art galleries, and some beautiful public gardens. Nearby Oreti beach, about 25 km long, was featured in the Hollywood film “The World’s Fastest Indian”. If you’re a petrol head then this is the place to be. See amazing displays at Bill Richardson Transport World and Class Motorcycle Mecca. For history lovers visit He Waka Tuia, which houses the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Museum and Art Gallery.
Te Anau - Te Anau sits at the southern edge of beautiful Lake Te Anau beside Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. It is popular for its unspoilt scenery, fishing, golf, and as a starting-point for the Milford Track and other world famous hiking trails. It is just over two hours’ drive from Queenstown and 2.5 hours from Milford Sound. This usually calm lake is serenely beautiful, often showing reflected images of surrounding snow-capped mountains. Te Anau township, at the southern end of the lake, is considered a gateway to Fiordland National Park and popular destinations within it, including Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Manapouri.
Bluff – At the edge of the South Island, Bluff is not just a place to stop on the way to Stewart Island. There are many great walks, mountain biking tracks, lookouts and photo opportunities. The most-photographed spot in Bluff being the famous signpost at Stirling Point. Taste local cuisines including the famous Bluff Oysters, some of the finest oysters in the world. Walk the track from Lookout Point to the summit of Bluff Hill through wind-shorn shrub land and be rewarded by superb views across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island.
If you have time, visit Stewart Island and explore the Rakiura National Park which is teeming with NZ wildlife including the Stewart Island Kiwi in Its natural habitat.
Queenstown - Queenstown provides a one stop holiday destination providing adventure tourism during the day and a vibrant nightlife scene. Queenstown is also known as a popular wine and cuisine region of New Zealand. There are also many activity options on Lake Wakatipu, such as scenic lake cruises and water sports. The region is renowned for its fly fishing for brown trout, Scenic flights and as a departure point for boat tours to Milford Sound. Offering one of the longest seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, Queenstown welcomes skiers and snowboarders from June to October. The four ski areas offer unrivalled alpine scenery, world class infrastructure and fantastically varied open and treeless terrain, each with its own unique character.
Wanaka - Wanaka is a small, gorgeous town set against the alpine backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park. As an adventure lover's paradise, there are tons of fun things to do. Visit Puzzling World, go hiking, biking, take a lake cruise, go to a winery or dine at the many cafes and restaurants. Wanaka township is at the southern end of Lake Wanaka, which is New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake. The lake is fed by two fast-flowing rivers, the Matukituki and Makaroro, and drains in the Clutha River, which flows east through central Otago. Wanaka is close to Lake Hawea, which lies in a parallel valley to the west, and to Cardrona Valley, which is a centre for skiing and winter sports.
Milford Sound - Milford Sound is a glacier-carved fjord surrounded by sheer mountain peaks that rise up to 1500 metres above the water. It is ranked as one of the best tourist destinations in the world for its majestic, unspoiled scenery. Mitre Peak, Milford Sound’s most famous landmark, rises over 2,000 feet above the water in an almost perfect cone shape. Other peaks with sheer rock faces rise 4-5,000 feet. Two large, permanent waterfalls plunge from mountain faces into the Sound. During periods of wet weather, hundreds of temporary waterfalls form an entrancing display of cascades.
