Southland Nature

If you're planning a trip to Southland, chances are you're a bit of a nature ninja. Perched at the very tip of New Zealand, with nothing between you and Antarctica, this is a truly special wilderness realm.

Untamed, rugged and battered by wind and waves, Southland isn't the place for fair-weather urbanites. This is a place for those who get thrills down their spines from gazing across the churning Southern Ocean, seeing fiords shaped by ancient glaciers and discovering rare wildlife on isolated isles.

This great expanse of land and seascapes will take your breath away. Think waterfalls hidden deep in forests, vast lakes and remote isles. The wave-bashed coast is home to sea lions, penguins and dolphins.

Hike, birdwatch, chase waterfalls, swim or crack out the wide-angle lens and practice your photography skills. Whichever way you choose to enjoy the nature in Southland, one thing is certain; you won't be short of things to do.

Lakes and Waterfalls

  • Head to The Catlins for magical waterfalls such as the famous Purakaunui Falls, a 20-metre-high cascade that flows over three tiers like something out of a Disney movie.
  • Fiordland National Park doesn't have just any old waterfalls. These ice clear cascades crash hundreds of metres into glacier-carved fiords.
  • The region is studded with lakes, from the small but biodiverse Lake Wilkie, to the vast 30-kilometre-long Lake Hauroko.

Caves and Forests

  • Visit in summer for an adventure-filled expedition into the Cathedral Caves on Waipati Beach in The Catlins. The sea-formed passages measure 200 metres long and 30 metres high.
  • Venture underground to see the famous New Zealand glow worms and stalactites inside the limestone Clifden Caves.
  • The Petrified Forest of Curio Bay stands as one of the least disturbed examples of Jurassic fossil forest on the planet. Go at low tide to see it in all its glory.

Islands

  • Stewart Island should be at the very top of your itinerary, because natural attractions don't get much better than this. Amazing wildlife and majestic views await.
  • Neighbouring Ulva Island is another must-do where the wildlife and nature of Southland thrive in a protected haven of forest and coastal perfection.
  • Embark on a day cruise to both of these islands and see the hidden coves, unspoilt beaches and marine life from a mariner's point of view.

Created in partnership with Venture Southland