The best of Southland NZ

Western Southland

Take a cruise along the coast from Riverton to Blue Cliffs Beach and enjoy some of New Zealand’s most rugged and wild beaches.

Riverton

The riviera of the south is not worth missing. You won’t get a better viewing spot for sunrise than Taramea Bay.

Taramea Bay

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Sunrises and surfing plus lots of green lipped mussels on the right tides! Just remember the daily limit is 25 per person on the Southland Coast

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Aparima Restaurant and Bar

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Stop for a brew and a tasty (but somewhat pricey) meal with some incredible views

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Taramea Takeaway & Dairy Limited

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Delish fish and chips and if you’re here between March and Oysters you can get a hit of Bluff Oysters

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Howells Point Reserve

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Take your fish and chips to one of the picnic tables and enjoy the ocean, you might even spot some little hectors dolphins!

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Mores Scenic Reserve - Riverton

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Beautiful native NZ bush and birds plus a great viewing platform of Stewart island/Rakiura

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Colac bay - Orepuki

Once you leave Riverton town there’s a bunch of beautiful beach spots that need to be looked at!

Colac Bay / Ōraka

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Take the first turn off to hit “the trees” one of the best longboard surf breaks in Southland. Then head to the Colac bay town shop to gather some mussels and other shellfish if that’s what you’re into.

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Cosy Nook

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A quaint nook with some epic cribs and looks impressive when the sea is calm but more so on a stormy day

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Monkey Island Beach

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Grab a drag net and catch some flounder while camping at the beach. A must stop on the southern coastal highway

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Orepuki Beach Cafe

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Hands down the best cafe in Southland. Do not miss out on eating a whole flounder or all the other tasty meals they offer!

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Gemstone Beach

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Fossil for your own precious stones! This beach is particularly impressive on a stormy day.

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Blue Cliffs Beach

This beach is the start/end of the humpridge track, however if you’re not an overnight hiker do the day walk in, gather some mussels, enjoy the scenery and head on back out! Such a stunning location, but beware of the sandflies

Bluecliffs Beach

@jamievuglar

A 5km, reasonably flat walk from the humpridge track car park will take you to this beautiful beach with picture perfect views and a feed of mussels!

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Invercargill

NZ’s southern most city is the perfect base to explore all southland has to offer with some incredible hidden gems within 2 hours of the city

To eat/drink

Classic Motorcycle Mecca

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Does some amazing breakfasts that are massive and well priced. If you’re into it go and have a look around the motorcycle museum!

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The Batch Cafe

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One of the best cafes in invercargill but it can be pretty busy so be prepared to wait

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Seriously Good Chocolate Company

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Locally made artisan chocolate shop! Must try their hot chocolates and the lemon meringue pie’s

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Fat Bastard Pies

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Best pies in NZ. The line is often out the door but be patient and you’ll be rewarded with the flakiest, tastiest pastry morsel!

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Tuatara Cafe / Bar

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Local brewery with massive selection of craft beer on tap. Soak it all up with the Hot Kev pizza!

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Buster Crabb

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Bit more expensive but the best service and the seafood is next level good!

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Mama San Invercargill

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Delicious Asian fusion but you need to book in advance and the service can be a bit hit and miss so be prepared to wait for your incredible food

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Bombay Palace Indian Restaurant & Takeaway

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Get the onion bhaji and their speacialty curries!

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To do

Oreti Beach

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Drive along one of NZ’s southern most beaches! Beautiful sunset/stargazing spot and it’s worth a stop on a stormy day to see the howling southerly winds in action.

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Sandy Point

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Some fun mountain bike trails through the sand dunes of Oreti beach and nice easy walks around the inlet

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Bill Richardson Transport World

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I’m not a big car fan but this is worth a visit

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Demolition World

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Quirky experience and worth the surprise of not looking into it too much 😉

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Bluff Hill Lookout

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On a clear day you get great 360 views of Stewart Island and all the other locations off Bluff

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Omaui Beach

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At the other end of Oreti Beach you’ll find this cool spot, go find some rocks and get yourself a feed of mussels!

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