Invercargill
Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city, is the commercial and administrative hub of Southland. From excellent shopping to lively cafe's, restaurants and bars, Invercargill has all the benefits of city life with few of the drawbacks. The variety and number of heritage buildings in the city centre add to Invercargill's character.
Bluff
World famous for Bluff oysters, Bluff is one of New Zealand's oldest European settlements and a gateway to Stewart Island. Bluff is situated just 1km north of Stirling Point, which is the start (or finish) of State Highway One. The Port of Bluff is the most southern commercial deep water port in New Zealand and is home to a large fishing fleet.
Stewart Island
Stewart Island/Rakiura located to the south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait, is a 20 minute flight from Invercargill or an hour by ferry from Bluff. In 2002 the island's natural world of bush, beach and birdlife was recognised with the formation of the Rakiura National Park, which encompasses 85% of the Island. Rakiura, is a Maori word which translated means "glowing skies".
The Catlins
Starting just to the east of Invercargill, and extending from the coast to just north of Woodlands, the Catlins / Southern Southland region lies across the Southern Scenic Route (SH 92) that links Invercargill with Dunedin. Although east of Waikawa it falls, administratively, into the Clutha District, this part is included as far as Owaka because it forms a natural geographical region.
Riverton and Western Southland
Western Southland runs from Riverton on the coast northwards to Nightcaps and Ohai, then up to Blackmount and down the Waiau River valley to Tuatapere. It includes a corner of the Takitimu Mountains in the north-east and the Longwoods in the south and extends westwards to encompass the south-western extremity of Fiordland National Park.
Gore and Eastern Southland
This region starts in the Waikaka Valley in the north and runs down State Highway 1 to include Edendale, Wyndham and Mokoreta in the south. The two biggest towns are Gore, which is the main service town for Eastern Southland and West Otago, and Mataura, where the Alliance Group Ltd freezing works are located.
Winton and Central Southland
Central Southland, with Winton ("The Heart of Southland") as its hub, extends from Dipton in the north to Wallacetown in the south. Straddling the lower reaches of the Oreti River, it reaches towards Drummond in the west and stretches eastward to encompass most of the Hokonui Hills.
Lumsden and Northern Southland
Northern Southland covers the area in the valleys between the Takitimu Mountains, Eyre and Garvie Mountains, down the expansive Waimea Plain to Riversdale. The towns of Balfour, Lumsden and Mossburn lie in line with Riversdale on the main road from Gore to Te Anau. Mossburn with its life-size sculpture and deer processing plant, is known as the deer capital of New Zealand.
Te Anau and Fiordland
Fiordland is located in the south west corner of the South Island. The largest township is Te Anau, based on the shores of NZ's second largest lake. The small township of Manapouri is located 20km away on the shores of Lake Manapouri. These large lakes provide the access points for entry into New Zealand's largest National Park.
Roll over the map above to take a quick tour around some of Southland's gems...