Southern Scenic Route
Southern Scenic Route
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4.5
303 reviews
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1
Ronald M
Loveland, CO271 contributions
Jan 2020
The drive along the Southern Scenic Route can take quite a while, there are so many attractions to seen that you could make a couple days of it. The drive is scenic itself without the points of interest, but each new attraction will require walking a short distance to reach the point of interest so it will take time. Beautiful area and a must visit during your stay.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BS833
Flower Mound, TX57 contributions
Nov 2019
Our hosts in Invercargill recommended we take this route from Te Anau, and we are so glad we took the extra time. The route is well marked with beautiful stops along the way. Worth a little extra time.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrdh
641 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is worth taking a slightly longer route to go along this way from Nugget point to curio bay. Good road that winds through the southern countryside , even a few interesting small towns to see. A really nice drive
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy
565 contributions
Jan 2020
The Southern Scenic Route passes through some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand, in particular, the Catlin Tour between Invercargill and Dunedin. Pukakaunui Falls, McLean Falls, Cathedral Caves, and Nugget Point Lighthouse are just short rides from the highway...and well worth the drive. Between Invercargill and TeAnau, there are several scenic stops right on the highway, such as McCracken's Rest and Gemstone Beach (where we saw Hector's Dophins). There is literally beauty at every turn of this beautiful highway.
Written 27 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phileas_Fogg1
Carterton, New Zealand125 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We took the southern scenic coast from Dunedin to The Catlins and then on to Invercargill and up to Manapouri stopping off and staying at various places along the way. There is lots of stunning scenery, beaches and native bush. Highlights include Nugget Point, Curio bay (keep an eye out for the Hectors dolphins)and The lost gypsy. Plenty of lookouts that are worth stopping at to take in the panoramic views.
Written 4 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Redrocket1969
Auckland, New Zealand35 contributions
Jan 2021
We did not do the whole route as we started from Queenstown and headed south - omitting the Te Anua leg. We stopped for a few days in Invercargill and then travelled to Dunedin in a day.
There are plently of historic sights along the way. Some of the sidetrips are walks which will need time to see comfortably. However, even in a day, we stopped at few places, such as Curio Bay.
Overall, I think that this route offers a lot of variety for different people.
There are plently of historic sights along the way. Some of the sidetrips are walks which will need time to see comfortably. However, even in a day, we stopped at few places, such as Curio Bay.
Overall, I think that this route offers a lot of variety for different people.
Written 12 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,610 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Returning from doing the Shark dive in Bluff. The raw beauty of the Southern coast. If you were going to try and see everything you could problably do it in 3 days, but you take longer. We did it in 1 day on the way back to Dunedin. Will want to do more around Curi Bay and didn't stop at and waterfalls this trip. If you can at least take a overnight stop.
Written 28 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoolooSwampy
Auckland, New Zealand213 contributions
Sept 2020
If you have time, be sure to travel this route, which has a host of landscapes like nowhere else in the country. At times remote and always beautiful, the roads are well signposted and less winding than I expected. Totally worth the effort.
Written 5 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand905 contributions
Nov 2022
Had never been through the Catlins and we made it a point to stay the night half way. The roads are pretty good, there are a few gravel roads but they are in good condition. Lots of toilet facilities, try and get a scenic map of the catlins as this details where places of interest are on this route. Much nicer drive on this scenic route.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rantin rover
Biggar, UK9,061 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
The Southern Scenic Route (SSR) should be viewed in similar terms to the Icefields Parkway in Canada or the Big Sur in USA - it’s a scenic drive with various highlights along the way traversing the southern part of the South Island in New Zealand.
You can see some of these highlights in the passing if you’re just intending to go from A to B - or Queenstown to Dunedin (or vice-versa) which would take around 11 ½ hours of driving time covering around 600km. Alternatively you can stop off en route and make it a more leisurely trip. There are loads of attractions slightly off the route too - and others which could add considerably more time to your journey.
We sidetracked at Te Anau and visited Milford Sound and further south at Invercargill parked the car and flew over to Stewart Island for example. It seems only sensible to include these types of places in an itinerary when they are close in relative terms for many who will have travelled considerable distances to even get to New Zealand. That said time is precious and others may choose not to do so.
The starting point for us was Queenstown, a destination worth seeing in its own right, set on Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by tremendous mountain ranges. The scenery on the drive to Te Anau is also very attractive and the roads fairly quiet unless you time it incorrectly and join the tour coaches heading out in early morning to go to Milford Sound or return in the evening.
From Te Anau to Manapouri it gets even quieter on the road. Manapouri is the base from which tours are made to Doubtful Sound - a full day trip in itself if you were looking to do an excursion.
The stretch of road from Manapouri to Tuatepere takes roughly 1 hour direct, it’s fairly straight most of the way and passes through farmland. We went off the beaten track a couple of times down roads which you need to double back, to see Lake Monowai and Lake Hauroko. Neither of these was hugely rewarding in its own right - they would be more attractive if tied in with activities such as jet boating, fishing, hiking or hunting since the roads are partly unsealed and a time consuming detour. We found they were also good spots for attracting sandflies.
Clifden Suspension Bridge further south is worth a stop to stretch your legs walking across the longest wooden suspension bridge in NZ. Nearby the Clifden Caves are an attraction for experienced cavers.
Tuatapere is a small rural settlement with some places to eat and break the journey.
Tuatapere to Invercargill is about 1 ½ hours driving time however as you head towards the coastline at this point it becomes a distraction and the actual drive time may be extended by some visitors. Near Orepuki for example there are several places worth seeing - McCracken’s Rest is a fine viewpoint over Te Waewae Bay by the side of the SSR and a few kms down the road is a very photogenic setting at Gemstone Beach. Not far from there another stop we made was at Monkey Island where the tide was out and we were able to cross the beach and climb up the wooden stairway to a viewing platform. Next stop Cosy Nook was a tiny inlet with some holiday cottages by the edge of the water. Colac Bay and Riverton herald a return to slightly more populated areas prior to arrival in Invercargill.
Invercargill to Bluff is a 25 minute journey each way but unless you’re heading for a ferry to Stewart Island it doesn’t appear to be that attractive a destination - it’s a working port with the associated commercial activity this brings e.g. fuel tanks. Although there is a destination marker this isn’t the southern most point of the South Island, this is further east at Slope Point as you head into the Catlins so I would give Bluff a miss.
The Catlins are probably the most attractive part of the SSR with many scenic diversions along this wild coastline. Lighthouses at either end at Waipapa Point and Nugget Point are worth visiting - the latter in particular is an especially scenic section off the SSR. Both these attractions have wildlife interest in the form of sea lions and fur seals respectively. Curio Bay has a fossilized forest on the shoreline nearby which also features rare yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore to nest at dusk. It also had a superb beach to add to the one at Tautuku Bay further along the route which you can either walk across or just admire from a lookout point by the SSR at Florence Hill. If waterfalls are your attraction stop off at Purakanunui Falls (we found these smaller than expected) or McLean Falls, down a bit of a short dusty road and then an attractive short hike but well worth the journey. We didn’t even make it to Surat Bay, Jack’s Blowhole or Cannibal Bay and Cathedral Caves, the latter subject to gated/tidal access and fee, were just closing as we arrived. From Nugget Point we headed back north towards Dunedin noting the places we will need to see on our next trip to this area which hopefully won’t be too far in the future.
Bearing in mind the rural and remote features of sections of the route there are not huge amounts of places to stay, eat or fill up your fuel tank so prepare accordingly whether planning to take a leisurely drive or a fleeting passing visit.
It’s a spectacular part of the country, less visited than most and even if the trees are bent double with the wind which can hit the coastline often, they still make an interesting photograph!
You can see some of these highlights in the passing if you’re just intending to go from A to B - or Queenstown to Dunedin (or vice-versa) which would take around 11 ½ hours of driving time covering around 600km. Alternatively you can stop off en route and make it a more leisurely trip. There are loads of attractions slightly off the route too - and others which could add considerably more time to your journey.
We sidetracked at Te Anau and visited Milford Sound and further south at Invercargill parked the car and flew over to Stewart Island for example. It seems only sensible to include these types of places in an itinerary when they are close in relative terms for many who will have travelled considerable distances to even get to New Zealand. That said time is precious and others may choose not to do so.
The starting point for us was Queenstown, a destination worth seeing in its own right, set on Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by tremendous mountain ranges. The scenery on the drive to Te Anau is also very attractive and the roads fairly quiet unless you time it incorrectly and join the tour coaches heading out in early morning to go to Milford Sound or return in the evening.
From Te Anau to Manapouri it gets even quieter on the road. Manapouri is the base from which tours are made to Doubtful Sound - a full day trip in itself if you were looking to do an excursion.
The stretch of road from Manapouri to Tuatepere takes roughly 1 hour direct, it’s fairly straight most of the way and passes through farmland. We went off the beaten track a couple of times down roads which you need to double back, to see Lake Monowai and Lake Hauroko. Neither of these was hugely rewarding in its own right - they would be more attractive if tied in with activities such as jet boating, fishing, hiking or hunting since the roads are partly unsealed and a time consuming detour. We found they were also good spots for attracting sandflies.
Clifden Suspension Bridge further south is worth a stop to stretch your legs walking across the longest wooden suspension bridge in NZ. Nearby the Clifden Caves are an attraction for experienced cavers.
Tuatapere is a small rural settlement with some places to eat and break the journey.
Tuatapere to Invercargill is about 1 ½ hours driving time however as you head towards the coastline at this point it becomes a distraction and the actual drive time may be extended by some visitors. Near Orepuki for example there are several places worth seeing - McCracken’s Rest is a fine viewpoint over Te Waewae Bay by the side of the SSR and a few kms down the road is a very photogenic setting at Gemstone Beach. Not far from there another stop we made was at Monkey Island where the tide was out and we were able to cross the beach and climb up the wooden stairway to a viewing platform. Next stop Cosy Nook was a tiny inlet with some holiday cottages by the edge of the water. Colac Bay and Riverton herald a return to slightly more populated areas prior to arrival in Invercargill.
Invercargill to Bluff is a 25 minute journey each way but unless you’re heading for a ferry to Stewart Island it doesn’t appear to be that attractive a destination - it’s a working port with the associated commercial activity this brings e.g. fuel tanks. Although there is a destination marker this isn’t the southern most point of the South Island, this is further east at Slope Point as you head into the Catlins so I would give Bluff a miss.
The Catlins are probably the most attractive part of the SSR with many scenic diversions along this wild coastline. Lighthouses at either end at Waipapa Point and Nugget Point are worth visiting - the latter in particular is an especially scenic section off the SSR. Both these attractions have wildlife interest in the form of sea lions and fur seals respectively. Curio Bay has a fossilized forest on the shoreline nearby which also features rare yellow-eyed penguins coming ashore to nest at dusk. It also had a superb beach to add to the one at Tautuku Bay further along the route which you can either walk across or just admire from a lookout point by the SSR at Florence Hill. If waterfalls are your attraction stop off at Purakanunui Falls (we found these smaller than expected) or McLean Falls, down a bit of a short dusty road and then an attractive short hike but well worth the journey. We didn’t even make it to Surat Bay, Jack’s Blowhole or Cannibal Bay and Cathedral Caves, the latter subject to gated/tidal access and fee, were just closing as we arrived. From Nugget Point we headed back north towards Dunedin noting the places we will need to see on our next trip to this area which hopefully won’t be too far in the future.
Bearing in mind the rural and remote features of sections of the route there are not huge amounts of places to stay, eat or fill up your fuel tank so prepare accordingly whether planning to take a leisurely drive or a fleeting passing visit.
It’s a spectacular part of the country, less visited than most and even if the trees are bent double with the wind which can hit the coastline often, they still make an interesting photograph!
Written 28 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes a caravan would be ok. Take it slow, not lots of traffic as it is windy in places but a good road. Nice scenery too. You may have trouble pulling off the road to go see some of the waterfalls etc as some had large carpark off the road but some were definitely small and tight. Enjoy
Written 18 February 2023
We would like to drive the southern route from Invercargill to Dunedin but have been caught out already on roads going round blind corners with just one lane for both directions. Does this road have a lane for each direction?
Written 8 November 2020
Yes, there is a lane in each direction. Well worth taking this route!
Written 10 November 2020
Is it possible to drive a rental car from Dunedin, see Lake Wanaka, Fiordland, Marlborough sound and get to Nelson in 3 days?
Written 22 February 2020
Yes you could but then you wouldn’t have time to Enjoy Milford Sound/Doubtful Sound. They are an absolute must if you are coming to NZ. More to see ther3 than Lake Wanaka. The trip a the West Coast of NZ is a must but would take at least two days to enjoy. My recommendation is go to Wanaka or Queenstown then fly into Milford Sound for day trip then drive up West Coast. Only stay one night in Wanaka or Queenstown then take off up West Coast. I’m sure you will enjoy but you will be disappointed you you don’t do either Milford or Doubtful Sound. There are plenty of day and 1/2 day flying tours from Queenstown ...
Written 22 February 2020
Travelling Dunedin to Invercargill with 84yr old Mum... any ideas for places to stop and visit? We have a hire car and a week and accom in both cities already sorted. Just want something to do or visit in between cups of tea with old family members.
Written 12 May 2018
The Catlins are nice, and the coastal drive is very scenic. Don't miss out the famous Bluff oysters!
Written 17 May 2018
Arriving Invercargill at 1030am in Early May.
Plan to drive through these points in one day before sunset. Please advise if time permits.
1. Waipapa Light House
2. Slope Point
3. Curio Bay
4. Cathedral Caves
5. McLean Falls
6. Florence Hill Lookout
7. Purakaunui Falls Walk
8. Nugget Point Lighthouse
Written 15 April 2018
Having driven extensively around the South Island, if you wish to travel from point to point and stop in between to enjoy the beautiful scenic places then I would suggest you don’t attempt to drive more then 250km per day.
You should also allow an average of 30 minutes at each spot you wish to visit.
Written 16 April 2018
Hi everyone;
My wife and I will be traveling through NZ in July 2018 and plan on driving from Te Anau to Dunedin on July 30 and then onward to Christ Church for our return flight to the US. We are planning on renting a SUV 4WD for our trip in NZ. My question is, first how is generally the road condition of the Southern scenic Route, second, is it going to be ok during July or would we potentially encounter snow on this stretch as well - and the last is how many hours would it take - we do not want to drive more than 3-4 hours in one day - what would be a good mid point to spend the night - perhaps Invercargill?
Greatly appreciate any feedback - take care and all the best.
Written 16 February 2018
Good questions. We drove this route in October, 2017. I cannot advise you regarding the weather in July, but there are no significant mountains so I would be surprised if snow were to be a problem. The road itself is excellent; wide, paved and well-maintained, but it does wind through the hills and valleys with plenty of scenery and potential stops, especially along the ocean. Plan on 3-4 hours for each leg with an overnight in Invercargill.
Written 16 February 2018
Is it realistic to do a day trip from Te Anau with stops at Bluff, Purakaunui Falls, Nugget Point and Roaring Bay then back to Te Anau? The GPS states a 2-hour drive to Bluff, another 2-hour to Nugget Point, then 3-hours back to Te Anau. How accurate are these times? Much thanks for your time and advice!
Written 30 January 2018
It can be done especially as there’s so much daylight. If you are prepared to drive a long way then it’s achievable. I personally wouldn’t take it on but rather spend time around the Catlins area.
Written 30 January 2018
we are planning to travel to Te Anau from Invercargill via the scenic route i.e. Invercargill > Riverton>Pahia> Clifden. Please highlight must see places or sights. I m going to be there in the second week of April next year.
Written 21 December 2016
hi, there is a southern scenic route website which has everything you need.
Written 8 November 2017
We're tossing up whether to do Tasmania or Dunedin, Balclutha, Invercargill, Glifden and up to Te Anau. Sounds as though you found the drive very scenic - did you go to Bluff? It will be March of next year.
Written 5 August 2016
I totally agree with the other 2 answers. The Southern Scenic route is stunning. Give yourself time for a slow trip through the Catlins and the scenery around Te Anau is also wonderful.
Tasmania is also gorgeous at that time of the year. Depends what fits in with the rest of your itinerary. I suggest checking out TripAdvisor's Tasmanian sites. A great drive is to come in at Launceston, drive west to Cradle Mountain, down to Strahan, across to Lake St Clair, down to the Huon Valley and Hartz Mountains, maybe across to Port Arthur and Freycinet peninsular if you have time and then out from Hobart.
Written 6 August 2016
Hi, just wondering if the Southern Scenic Route is a straight drive or is the road too windy (zig zag). My wife has travel sickness so need to be sure of the road condition. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Written 16 February 2016
Hi, the road is a bit winding, but not overly so. I have travel sickness, but there are a lot of places to stop and look at, And the breaks and short walks will help settle any nausea. My wife and I also swapped the driving around so we could both check out the terrific scenery.
Hope this helps.
Written 19 February 2016
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