Southland Holiday Parks

A world away, Southland is a region of contrasts, solitude and pure New Zealand splendour.  Fertile flatlands are surrounded by rolling hills and jagged majestic peaks.   Rivers, rough seas, sparkling lakes and glacier carved fiords make up this magnificent region.   It’s no wonder it is home to some of the best hikes in the world.

Starting along the Southern Scenic Route is the Catlins Coast, an untamed spot of New Zealand.  Bring your walking shoes and camera for some of the most beautiful sites in New Zealand.  Waterfalls, silver beech forests, rock formations, rainforests, Jurassic fossils, caves and penguins are just a few things you’ll see exploring the Catlins.

Heading south from there is the “friendly city” of Invercargill, the southernmost city and great base to explore the area.  Surrounded by parks and Georgian architecture, Invercargill is known for speed with its international indoor cycling velodrome and home of Burt Monroe who set the world speed record with his Indian motorbike.  Make sure you dine out at one of the top restaurants here and taste the local delicacy Bluff oysters.  This is as fresh as it gets.

Leave plenty of time to discover Te Anau and Fiordland, home of the largest National Park in New Zealand and a World Heritage Area.  The town of Te Anau provides the main access to Fiorland and a destination in its own right with great shopping, delicious food and the famous Te Anau glowworm caves and Wildlife Centre.

Fiordland is one of the last great wildernesses and inhabited by several endangered species and home to Mitre Peak and Milford and Doubtful Sound and some of the world’s finest walking and multi-day hiking trails including the Milford, Hollyford, Kepler and Routeburn Tracks.  There are many ways to explore this region including by helicopter, float plane and boat as well as quad bike, cycling and horse.