… or Longer Trips from Invercargill
The Southland region’s main hub and the southernmost city in New Zealand is the gateway to some spectacular scenery and destinations. Invercargill has untouched rainforest, amazing coastline, gorgeous islands, quirky towns and a UNESCO World Heritage Site right on its doorstep. If you’re staying in Invercargill for a while, make the most of it by hitting these destinations, all within an hour or two of the city. We list your best road trip options on this list of day trips from Invercargill!
While you’re here, you might also be interested in 10 Amazing Things to Do in Invercargill.
1. The Catlins
Your Catlins adventure begins less than 40 minutes drive away from Invercargill! Nothing matches the scenery of the sweeping coastlines and pristine rainforests of The Catlins. The Catlins is home to rare wildlife, including yellow-eyed penguins, New Zealand sea lions and Hector’s dolphins. A highlight of The Catlins is the 180 million-year-old fossilised forest of Curio Bay. Find out more attractions to hit during your road trip in 18 Amazing Attractions You Can’t Miss in The Catlins.
Location: Fortrose (start of The Catlins), 35 minutes from Invercargill, Curio Bay – 1h15mins from Invercargill
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Bluff
Discover interesting historical sites and fantastic seafood at the little town of Bluff, just 28km (17 miles) away from Invercargill. Pack your walking shoes and camera for the walking trails on Bluff Hill offering stunning bushwalks, coastal walks and views across the Forveaux Strait to Stewart Island. Check out the international signpost at Stirling Point which marks the end of the country’s main state highway. Plus, don’t miss sampling fresh Bluff Oysters! Get more inspiration from 5 Fun Things to Do in Bluff and 7 Best Walks in Bluff.
Location: Bluff, 20 minutes from Invercargill
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Stewart Island
Either fly or take the ferry to the breathtaking Stewart Island. Nature dominates here with 80% of the island being a national park. The island is home to white-sand beaches, clear waters, sensational sunsets and unique native bird and plant species. Visit the bird sanctuary Ulva Island or try your luck at some deep-sea fishing. Learn more in our 10 Incredible Things to Do on Stewart Island.
Location: Stewart Island, 20-minute flight from Invercargill or a 20-minute drive to Bluff then 1-hour ferry.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Western Southland
An awesome road trip awaits along the rugged coastline and lush farmland of Western Southland. Stop by the arty seaside town of Riverton at one of the cafes or excellent museum. If you’re into surfing, don’t miss Colac Bay. Then head north to Tuatapere, the gateway to the southern Fiordland National Park and the Hump Ridge Track. An exciting challenge also awaits at Clifden Cave where you can discover glowworms and limestone features on a self-guided cave scramble. Find out more in our lists in 5 Fun Things to Do in Riverton and 7 Amazing Things to Do in Tuatapere.
Location: Riverton, 35 minutes from Invercargill & Tuatapere, 1h10mins away from Invercargill
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Te Anau
As soon as you delve into the Fiordland, it’s instantly obvious why this national park achieves World Heritage Status. Te Anau is one of the main gateways to this pristine wilderness area, indented with 14 fiords. The most famous are Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound which can be explored on bus tours, cruises, scenic flights and more. Apart from visiting the fiords, there are many other activities available from Te Anau, from glowworm cave tours to jet boating. Find out more in our 10 Incredible Things to Do in Fiordland National Park.
Location: Te Anau, 1h55mins from Invercargill
© NZPocketGuide.comMore About Invercargill
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Southland NZ (Regional tourism website)
- Visit Fiordland (Regional tourism website)
- Invercargill City Council (Local council website)
- Southland District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
