Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins

Summer in Southland

With long sunny days, a diverse landscape, great food and drink and plenty of outdoor activities, Southland is the perfect summer destination. Home to five of New…

Lisa Nicole

Hike Fiordland

Base yourself in Te Anau and use the Hike Fiordland Passport to explore top day walks, including a taste of the nearby Great Walks. Stay a week to complete them all, or…

Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins

Summer Event Guide

Southland’s book-end long summer days are packed with fantastic events. Take your pick from our summer offerings of outdoor activities - sweat it out or set it out…

Trip Ideas & Stories

Unleash your adventure spirit with endless activities and attractions. From exploring Invercargill's vibrant hub to immersing yourself in the unique charm of local…

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Nau Mai, Tauti Mai ki Murihiku

Welcome to Murihiku Southland

Down here on the southern edge of the world, we have a deep connection to Te Taiao, the natural world, in all its wildness, beauty and abundance. Murihiku Southland engages your senses in ways that only untouched places can and is home to much of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s most dramatic, awe-inspiring and iconic wild places and wildlife. We welcome you to experience Southland in your own way and time - the pristine white surf beaches of Te Akau Tai Toka The Catlins, the rolling farmlands of the fertile plains, the drama of Te Ara a Kiwa Foveaux Strait, the beauty of our lakes and rivers and the ancient granite rock walls of Te-Rua-o-te-Moko Fiordland, rising straight out of the sea. Or perhaps we can inspire you with the earthy smells of primordial forests, the sounds of birds and thundering seas, rivers and waterfalls, the sight of awe-inspiring skies, the pure, fresh taste of kaimoana like Bluff Oysters, crayfish, kina, and blue cod, abundant walking and cycling routes, fishing spots, landscapes and native creatures in the wild all under the southernmost dark sky sanctuary in the world.

Me tū tahi tātou ki te kei - let’s all stand together in the stern of our waka

Hike Fiordland cover
Lisa Nicole

Hike Fiordland

Base yourself in Te Anau and use the Hike Fiordland Passport to guide you to some of the best day walks, experiencing a taste of the Great Walks nearby. Stay a week and complete them all, or tick off a few more with each visit.

Oyster Cove, Bluff
Oyster Cove, Bluff © Air New Zealand

Seasonal Newsletter

Sign up for our seasonal newsletter to unlock the secrets of Murihiku Southland. This ultimate insider's guide will help you create an unforgettable holiday experience. With seasonal tips and recommendations, you'll…

Murihiku Eats

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable journey through Southland's culinary delights! With an array of restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries, and pubs nestled in every corner, the options are simply unparalleled.

Southland Regions

New Zealand

Invercargill

Fondly dubbed the "City of Water and Light", referring to the long summer daylight hours, frequent appearances of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights), and the city’s position beside the Waihopai River estuary…

Invercargill Map

Fiordland

Fiordland is a place of extraordinary scenic beauty. One of New Zealand’s oldest tourism drawcards, this rugged and remote region offers awe-inspiring landscapes and wide range of recreational activities.

Fiordland Map

The Catlins

The Catlins, the spectacular coastal stretch between Balclutha and Invercargill, boasts a rugged beauty and untouched quality that is magnetic. Here you’ll find a world of native forests fringed by high cliffs, deserted…

Catlins Map

Gore District

The town lies on the banks of the Mataura River. With nearly 150km of easily accessible waters that are internationally renowned for brown trout fly-fishing, the river is a fisherman’s dream.

Gore District Map

Bluff

Southland’s port, Bluff (Motupōhue), lies thirty kilometres south of Invercargill. The town, which is the southernmost settlement on mainland New Zealand, is home to the iconic Bluff Oyster & Food Festival and is the…

Bluff Map

Western Southland

Tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland to the west, the Takitimu mountain range to the north, and the wild ocean to the south, Western Southland boasts spectacular unspoilt scenery and limitless opportunities for…

Western Southland Map

Northern Southland

Northern Southland is a beautiful contrast of green, rolling farmland, majestic snow-capped mountains, and tussock clad high country. Offering some of the best dry fly fishing in the world. Further recreational…

Northern Southland Map

Central Southland

Central Southland is 1.5 million hectares of lush, rolling farmland. The region offers a variety of leisurely pursuits and attractions for visitors, with highlights being: trout fishing rivers, friendly pubs, and rural…

Central Southland Map

Stewart Island

Rakiura Stewart Island is the southernmost and smallest island of the three main islands of New Zealand. Just 30km from the edge of the South Island, it is a perfect retreat for those seeking peace, quiet, and adventure.

Stewart Island Map
Invercargill Central
Stacy Williamson

Invercargill

Waihōpai Invercargill is the regional capital and commercial hub of Southland. Founded in the 1850s, it is New Zealand’s southernmost city - and one of the southernmost cities in the world. Numerous… Read More

Stewart Island

Rakiura Stewart Island is the southernmost and smallest island of the three main islands of New Zealand. Just 30km from the South Island, it is a perfect retreat for those seeking peace, quiet, and… Read More

Bluff

Southland’s port, Motupōhue Bluff, lies thirty kilometres south of Invercargill. The town, which is the southernmost settlement on mainland New Zealand, is home to the iconic Bluff Oyster & Food… Read More

Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins
Florence Hill Lookout, The Catlins

The Catlins

Te Akau Tai Toka The Catlins, the spectacular coastal stretch between Balclutha and Invercargill, boasts a rugged beauty and untouched quality that is just magnetic. Here, you’ll find a world of native… Read More

Mores Scenic Reserve Lookout, Western Southland
Mores Scenic Reserve Lookout © Sam Deuchrass

Western Southland

Tucked between the towering peaks of Fiordland to the west, the Takitimu mountain range to the north, and the wild ocean to the south, Western Southland boasts spectacular unspoilt scenery and limitless… Read More

Central Southland
Forest Hill Scenic Reserve © Sam Deuchrass

Central Southland

Central Southland is 1.5 million hectares of lush, rolling farmland. The district has always thrived on agriculture, although sawmills, flax and linen-flax industries, lime works, brickworks and tile works… Read More

Milford Sound - Kayak
Rosco's Milford Sound Kayaks, Fiordland

Fiordland

Te Rua-o-te-Moko Fiordland is a place of extraordinary scenic beauty. One of New Zealand’s oldest tourism drawcards, this rugged and remote region offers awe-inspiring landscapes and a wide range of… Read More

Journey through Murihiku

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Family walking along Cleddau river in Milford Sound
Piopiotahi | Milford Sound © Tim Roxborogh

4 Days of Fiordland Family Fun

4 Days

275 km

Spring/Summer/Autumn

Create lifelong family memories with this four-day holiday in Fiordland. Tick off Fiordland’s must-sees as well as taking time to rest and relax.

Romantic getaway in Rakiura Stewart Island

3 Days

Anytime

Rakiura Stewart Island is the place to go with your significant other if you're after a weekend away from the hustle and bustle is the place to go with your significant other. This island is…

Perenuka Mountain Bike Park
Perenuka Mountain Bike Park - Credit Great South

4 days Adventure Mountain Biking in Southland

4 Days

Summer

For those who like a challenging mix of off-road climbing and technical descents across all types of terrain this epic 3-day mountain biking itinerary takes you to three of Southlands most…

The Free Spirit

3 Days

250 km

Anytime

Experience a chilled-out holiday along the Southern Scenic Route. This incredible journey has been ranked one of the top 10 drives in the world, and for a good reason. 600km of spectacular…

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Murihiku Southland

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