Riverton (Aparima)
Riverton / Aparima
One of the oldest European settlements in the South, a seaside town with a whaling history museum, a giant paua shell sculpture and seafood shops.
Riverton, known in Māori as Aparima, lies about 40 kilometres west of Invercargill at the mouth of the Aparima River. A whaling station was established here in the 1830s. The Te Hikoi Southern Journey museum tells the story of Māori and the whalers. A roadside sculpture of a giant paua shell is a popular photo stop. You can grab fish and chips by the sea, and to the south lies Colac Bay with its surfer statue. Riverton is the first stop on the western Southern Scenic Route.
Opening hours
Open all day (museum about 10:00–16:00)
Nearby sights
- Oreti Beach
- Colac Bay
- Sandy Point Domain
- Monkey Island (Te Puka-o-Takitimu)
- Gemstone Beach
- E Hayes & Sons (World's Fastest Indian)
- Classic Motorcycle Mecca
- St Mary's Basilica