Invercargill is the southern and westernmost city on the South Island of New Zealand and there is plenty to pique your interest there.
With spectacular coastlines, stunning islands, quaint towns, untouched rainforest, and a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site all within easy driving distance—not to mention several other major cities—it’s worth taking a road trip or two to explore the wider region if you have enough time.
So, why not pick up a rental car and put the following destinations into Google maps? You won’t be disappointed by what you see.
1. The Catlins
The Catlins is a captivating place to drive to.
Relatively remote, this area is tucked between Balclutha and Invercargill, about 45 minutes from the latter. It resides on the southeast corner of the island and straddles the boundary of Otago and the Southland regions.
You’ll need to take State Highway 1 and the Wyndham-Mokoreta Road to get there.
Its southernmost point, Slope Point, is full of sweeping sandy beaches, gorgeous waterfalls, rolling hills, farmland, and dense forests, all of which create a rich tapestry of outstanding natural beauty that will take your breath away.
The area’s highlight is the fossilised forest of Curio Bay, which dates back 180 million years. It is also home to a range of rare wildlife, including yellow-eyed penguins and Hector’s dolphins.
2. Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World.’ If you are into high-octane activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and jet boating, it is worth driving there.
The drive takes about 2 hours 15 minutes non-stop from Invercargill. However, there are plenty of places you can stop off at the way to savour the beauty of the South Island.
One of the best of them is Wye Creek, which offers superb hiking opportunities around the shimmering waters of Lake Wakatipu. You should also head to the quaint town of Kingston if only to tackle the twisty and winding stretch of road known as the Devil’s Staircase.
If you are into fishing, you may also want to cast a line at the Matuara River near Lumsden, which is an exceptional place to catch trout.
3. Te Anau
It will take you just under two hours to drive from Invercargill to Te Anau and about two seconds to understand why this national park has been designated as a World Heritage Park.
The area is home to no less than 14 fjords, the most well-known of which are Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. The best way to explore both is by taking a scenic flight or a cruise.
However, you’ll be able to get a good feel for the area while driving around it. Aside from the fiords, make sure you take one of the area’s famous glowworm cave tours.
4. Stewart Island
Stewart Island is located just across the Foveaux Strait and is the third largest in New Zealand. To get there, you will have to take a scenic flight from Invercargill or a one-hour ferry from nearby Bluff.
Around 80% of Stewart Island is a national park, so as you would expect, nature dominates it. On it, you’ll find immaculate white sandy beaches, plenty of unique flora and fauna and a notable bird sanctuary.
The island is a terrific place to get away from it all and is renowned for being a mecca for deep-sea fishing and for some of the best sunsets in the Southern Hemisphere.
5. Dunedin
If you fancy going further than just The Catlins, then why not continue on to Dunedin?
Sitting at the head of Otago Harbour, this beautiful city is known for its Māori and Scottish heritage. Its large student population gives it a young, vibrant feel, which contrasts beautifully with the Edwardian and Victorian architecture that defines the area.
The Otago Peninsula is a terrific place to go hiking, and you should also check out Tunnel Beach. Make sure you spend some quality time walking around the CBD, aka the Octagon, and drop by Baldwin Street which just happens to be the steepest street in the world.
6. Christchurch
If you are after a longer road trip, then why not make the journey up to Christchurch?
Overall, it will take you about seven hours to drive non-stop, but most people tend to do it over two or three days, combining it with a trip through The Catlins and then a drive past Dunedin on State Highway 1.
Along the way, you can stop off at places like Oamuru and Timaru, which showcase fabulous coastal views, and Ashburton, which is the gateway to the Southern Alps.
Once in Christchurch, you can take in the action at Hagley Park, which is one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. You should also take the opportunity to visit the city’s famous botanical gardens or major attractions like the Christchurch Gondola and the International Antarctic Centre.
After checking out New Zealand’s second-biggest city, you can always head up to the North Island if you have more time available to you.
