Southern Scenic Route, Invercargill (2024) - Images, Timings

Southern Scenic Route, Invercargill Overview

The Southern scenic route in New Zealand is an eminent drive that connects Dunedin to Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the Milford Road. This spectacular route takes the travellers through Riverton, Invercargill and the Catlins, which exposes the travellers to a variety of landscapes making the experience all the more thrilling. Construction inception of the route began in 1986, and the route finally became operational in 1988. The route is perfect for long road trips with a length of 610 kilometres and a scintillating view.

Tips

Follow the brown signs along the path. They indicate the route!
Ensure that your fuel tanks are full as the distance between two fuel tanks can be too much and you don’t want to get stranded.
Weather can be unpredictable. Dress accordingly.
Liberally apply mosquito and insect repellant.
Maintain a safe distance from the animals.
Please stay on the track and respect the barriers.
While you are driving keep to the left always.

What to Do

Day one - Experience the rugged terrain and rolling plains as you travel from Dunedin to the Catlins.
- Spend some time at the Nugget Point Lighthouse and stop over at the coastline to visit Purakaunui Falls.
- At Invercargill, you can visit the transport museums of Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca.
- Bluff is another town to visit if you are interested in oysters and shipwrecks.
Day two - Tread your way to the Fiordland National Park from Te Anau on day two.
- Here, you will find glow worm caves and Te Anau Bird Sanctuary.
- Tuatepere is a must visit for those who have a keen interest in the culture and history of the region.
- If not, you can go hiking, mountain biking, trout fishing, hunting and boating.
Day three - The Milford Sound will appease your senses beyond measure.
- You can book a tour (or a boat cruise which is usually overnight) and enjoy one of the most breathtaking views that New Zealand has in store. The reflective water surface, huge rock formations, seals and splendid waterfalls come together at the Sound only for you to have the most surreal experience.
- The underwater observatory is another gem that this place takes great pride in.
Day four - Queenstown on day four keeps the best for the end.
- It offers adventures like bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting, river surfing and much more.
- Golfing is another star attraction of Queenstown.
- It is also a luxury lover’s paradise where people relish gourmet foods, visit vineyards and sip some luxury wine. Relax and unwind with the best spa treatments in the world and boutique shopping experiences that are class apart.