Southern Scenic Route
New Zealand's southernmost signposted scenic route on the South Island, from Queenstown via Te Anau, Invercargill and the Catlins to Dunedin, extendable to Stewart Island.
The Southern Scenic Route is an officially signposted sightseeing road at the southernmost tip of the South Island. It runs about 610 km, connecting Queenstown and Dunedin, and passes the edges of Fiordland National Park, the Southland plains and the Catlins coast, known for few crowds, abundant wildlife and unspoiled shorelines. Main highlights: the starting point of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu; Lake Te Anau and the Glowworm Caves, along with the gateway from Manapouri to the wonders of Doubtful Sound; the south coast's Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach; the southern towns of Invercargill and Bluff, where ferries reach Stewart Island (Rakiura National Park) for wild kiwi; the Catlins, with Purakaunui Falls, the Cathedral Caves, the Curio Bay petrified forest, yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions and Nugget Point with its lighthouse; and the endpoint of Dunedin, where you can visit the Royal Albatross Centre and blue penguins on the Otago Peninsula. Allow 4 to 6 days for self-driving, plus 2 days for Stewart Island. It is often combined with Queenstown and Milford Sound. Gas stations and food are scarce, some gravel sections require slow driving, and you should keep your distance from wildlife, since sea lions often rest on the beaches.