Off the Beaten Track to... Murihiku
Murihiku is the Māori name for the South Island of New Zealand, but today generally refers to the Southland region.
It's said that in Southland, the scenery gets under your skin and into your soul. The vast skies, wild coastal forests and extraordinarily green rural landscapes will stay with you forever. What's more, winter often produces more sunny days than summer, so there's no better time to visit.
Things To Do
- Awarua Wetlands – Visit the magical Awarua Wetlands located 20km south east of Invercargill and enjoy exploring the pea gravel beach and viewing the alpine terrain.
- Catlins Highway – Travel along the Southern Scenic Route and in the Catlins Highway section (State Highway 92), you can discover the beaches, waterfalls and caves, wildlife viewing and fossil forest of Curio Bay.
- Clifden Caves – A rare limestone cave system in Southland that offers visitors the opportunity to view stalactites and glow worms.
- Curio and Porpoise Bays – Lying on the Catlins coast 7km south of Waikawa, these bays are excellent sites to view Hector's dolphins and other marine wildlife including seals and penguins, plus the fossilised remains of an ancient forest.
- Other Attractions and Activities – In the Murihiku region, you'll also find a range of activities to enjoy including: hiking, hunting, mountain biking, fishing and kayaking. Tour operators also offer back country tours and sightseeing trips.
More Information
To help plan your holiday activities in the Murihiku area of the South Island, simply choose from the main categories below:
