Southland

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Southland [1] is the southernmost region in the South Island of New Zealand. It boasts stunning landscapes from the high mountains and icy glaciers to green and lush grasslands on the plains where agriculture is king. The linchpins of the economy are farming, forestry and horticulture.

The population within the Invercargill Council area is around 52,000, within the Southland Council area 30,000 and within the Gore Council area 13,000 making a total of 95,000.

It has about 1600 sunshine hours per year with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius.

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Fiordland and Milford Sound

[edit] Understand

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[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

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  • Take a plane or ferry to Stewart Island (schedule here), the most southerly of NZ's three main islands with bush walks and kayaking

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Drive to Tuatapere and walk the Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track. Stroll through Riverton, known as a historic fishing town and popular holiday spot.

Enjoy the Victorian architecture in Invercargill. Don't miss the Southland Museum and Art Gallery.

Then on to the Catlins and enjoy views over native forest towards the Pacific Ocean. Make a detour to Curio Bay's 160 million year old fossilized forest.

Celebrate finishing the route in Dunedin with a Speight's in the many pubs and cafés.

There are many other walks on the route, see here

  • Explore the Catlins (information) and walk through the native forest and along the coast. Look out for the fur seals, Hector's dolphins and yellow-eyed penguins.

[edit][add listing] Eat

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[edit][add listing] Sleep

Backpacker Hostels are a cheap alternative to motels. Most offer double, single, twin or shared rooms.

  • Catlins Backpackers, 24 Main Road, Owaka, +64 3 412 8111

Two cosy and beautifully renovated cottages with 3 individually decorated rooms each. The CAT room really is the proverbial whiskers and the BEE room is really buzzing . No bunks here and shared rooms have no more than 3 beds. Sunny lawns and decks, comfortable lounges, a log fire and heaters in every room make this accommodation a popular choice with travellers from all over the world all year round. An excellent base to explore the Catlins.

23/56 NZ$ (Bed in a shared room/Double,Twin) [2]

[edit] Get out

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