Southern Destinations: March 26, 2020

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SOUTHLAND
SOUTHERN HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS AUTUMN-WINTER 2020
EXPERIENCE AUTUMN
IN SOUTHLAND
Giant Chess Set - Oban - Air New Zealand.
Bill Richardson Transport World
- Air New Zealand
Journey
south today
Leaves are changing, check out the
colours and make the most of some
cultural activities off the beaten track
in Southland. The warm and friendly
locals are down to earth, and the old
Scottish influence remains strongly
represented through street and town
names and the way the locals still
roll their r’s.
For lovers of seafood you can’t
miss visiting the port town of Bluff
– particularly from March to August
when the famous Bluff oysters are in
season. Grown in the deep icy waters
of the Foveaux Strait, they take
longer to reach maturity and as such
have an intensity of flavour which
is highly sought after. The quaint
fishing town is an attraction in itself,
with a charming heritage facade void
of the extensive commercialism and
materialistic developments which
overwhelm so many villages, it
creates a feeling of nostalgia almost
like it was forgotten in time. Whilst
there let the weather guide your
activities towards deep sea fishing
adventures, the Lighthouse Gallery,
Maritime Museum, Bluff Hill Lookout,
various hikes or Stirling Point – which
the beginning – or end of the iconic
State Route 1.
Southland offers a variety of walking
opportunities, from gentile shorts
walks through native bush to a range
of multi day hikes and ultimate hiking
experiences. Discover short walks
like Mores Reserve, Dolamore Park
and Forest Hill through to epic multi
day walks such as the Rakiura Track,
one of NZ’s Great Walks and the
Hump Ridge Track. Autumn is the
perfect time to enjoy the beautiful
seasonal colours and explore the
region.
History buffs will be spoilt for
choice in Southland with an array
of museums harbouring various
treasures scattered throughout the
region. But don’t be fooled, this
isn’t just for history fanatics, these
are more like art galleries with a
wide palette of colour schemes,
engineering marvels and locals’
stories. Take the time to visit the
famous Te Hikoi museum in Riverton,
the Eastern Southland Art Gallery
with national collections guaranteed
to surpass your expectations,
Croydon Aviation Museum, Hokonui
Moonshine Museum (whiskey),
Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Bill
Richardson Transport World and
Tumu Toka Curioscape at Curio Bay,
a world class ‘gateway experience’
and interactive centre especially
designed to share the unique stories
of this amazing place on the edge of
time.
Autumn is also a magical, colourful
time in Southland. The native
forests and rolling hills are green
all year round but autumn sees the
landscape picture-perfect against
bright, blue skies. It is the ideal time
for discovering what the region has
to offer, from remote beaches, to
numerous bush walking tracks, plus
waterfalls and wildlife along the way.