Southland

Southland is the southernmost region of New Zealand including Stewart Island. With an abundance of spectacular scenery, natural resources and world-class facilities Southland is an enviable location with plenty to offer.

Southland is one of New Zealand’s largest regions and has the country’s largest road network, thus allowing excellent access to lots of off the beaten track places. It is home to two national parks – New Zealand’s newest, Rakiura, covering most of Stewart Island and the country’s largest, Fiordland, which has World Heritage status.

A popular way to explore the region is along the Southern Scenic Route, linking Te Anau in the northwest to Tuatapere, Gore, Invercargill (the region’s largest city), the Catlins and eventually Dunedin. The historic coastal villages and peaceful inland towns are only a part of what makes this southern region a desirable destination. Southland is perfect for travellers tempted with variety, discovery and lush scenery.

A haven to countless species of native wildlife, Southland is the place to be truly at one with nature. Trampers are drawn to Southland’s many tracks, while the rivers are a lure for international anglers.

Invercargill’s long, wide streets, elegant and spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and huge beaches are made even that more impressive by the endless blue skies. Located in the heart of the city, Queen’s Park features botanical wonders, an art gallery and museum, a tuatara (endemic reptile) house, golf course and more. This park is a local favorite.

Make the most of the city’s long daylight hours by exploring some of Invercargill’s historic buildings including St Mary’s Basilica and the city’s best known landmark – the Water Tower built in 1889. At 42.2m (139 ft.)  high the tower provides, if you don’t mind heights, extraordinary views of the city.

Interesting fact: A couple were the highest bidder in a charity auction and got pampered with spa treatments, had their own private chef prepare dinner and then got to have a romantic evening, on expensive bedding, in the Water Tower. The auction was titled “Tower of Love”.

Invercargill is also the jumping off point for trips by ferry or plane to Stewart Island.

Anglers from all over the world fish the great Mataura River, lured by the thrill of landing one of the river’s beautiful brown trout – a top prize for any fisherman. However, dig a little deeper and discover there is much more to Eastern Southland than its brown trout.

Gore is a small town, but with grand designs. It hosts the international Gold Guitar Awards – a number one hit with national and international musicians. Which explains the huge guitar monument at one end of the city.  Gore also hosts the prestigious Peugeot Hokonui Fashion Design Awards – a fantastic opportunity to see the latest trends before they hit the stores.

Along the Southern Scenic Route, west from Invercargill or south from Te Anau, you will find the fertile farmland with hundreds of thousand of sheep dotting the landscape and spectacular wilderness of Western Southland. For visitors, one of the latest and greatest attractions is the Tuatapere Humpridge Track. Opened in 2001, the track promises a three-day, non-stop scenic wonderland, taking in the stunning diversity of coastal, bush and sub-alpine landscapes. You’ll have the privilege of trekking amid the Waitutu Forest, described as “probably the most important forest in the world”. On crossing the Percy Burn Viaduct, you can lay claim to having traversed the largest remaining wooden viaduct in the world.

A half hour drive south from Invercargill is the fishing port of Bluff, home to the famous Bluff oyster and the annual Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival.

From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry across Fovreaux Strait to Stewart Island. The island can also be reached by air from Invercargill. Stewart Island is a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi birds in their natural habitat. Vivid dawn and twilight hues gave rise to the island’s Maori name Rakiura – land of the glowing skies.

Stewart Island is large – 64 kilometers (38.4 miles) long and 40 kilometers (24 miles) across, so don’t expect to walk around it in a day. It has a 700 kilometer (420 mile) coastline, but there are only 20 kilometers (12 miles) of roads!

As well as kiwi, the island is home to many other native bird varieties – including kaka, tui and bellbird. Sea birds abound off-shore – albatross, petrels, cormorants, gulls and blue penguins are common. Rarer species like yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) are also seen often.

Southland also has large areas of near-pristine rainforest, ideal for day walks and hiking. Curio Bay on the Catlins Coast is one of the geological wonders of the world. This petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dates back to the Jurassic age, 135 to 190 million years ago. It’s a place where yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions, fur seals and Hectors Dolphins can frequently be seen. This is pure New Zealand at it’s most natural.

A bit of Southland history

From 1848, present-day Southland and Otago were settled by large numbers of Scottish settlers. Immigration to New Zealand had been precipitated by an economic depression in Scotland and a schism between the Church of Scotland and the Free Presbyterian Church.

Under the influence of James Menzies, (leader of the Scottish separatist movement), Southland province (a small part of the present region, centered on Invercargill) seceeded from Otago in 1861 following the escalation of political tensions.

However, rising debt forced Southland to rejoin Otago in 1870 and the provinces were abolished entirely in 1876. In the 1880s, the development of an export industry based on butter and cheese encouraged the growth of dairy farming in Southland. Consequently, the colony’s first dairy factory was established at Edendale in 1882. Today Southland is one of the richest dairy and farming areas in New Zealand.

Climate

Weather conditions in Southland are cooler and wetter than the other regions of New Zealand due to its distance from the Equator. However, they can be broken down into three types: the temperate oceanic climate of the coastal regions, the continental climate of the interior and the wetter mountain climate of Fiordland to the west. Due to its closer proximity to the South Pole, the Aurora Australia or “Southern Lights” are more commonly seen than in other regions.

The coastal regions have cool summers and cold winters. The mean daily temperature varies from 5°C (41 F) in July to 15°C (60 F) in January. Rainfall varies from 900mm (35 inches) to 1300 mm (51 inches) annually with rainfall being more frequent in coastal areas and rainbows being a regular occurrence in the region. Summers are temperate with downpours and cold snaps not being uncommon.