Tripomatic

Southland Region

Region · South Island, 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Population 104,800
Area 31,665 km²
Time zone Pacific/Auckland
Official website www.es.govt.nz
Southland Region

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Featured Lists

Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch,… / cc0

Southland Essentials

Southland spans the southwestern corner of New Zealand, encompassing the glacier-carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park and the rugged coastline of the Catlins. This region features the world-renowned Milford Sound, the deep waters of Doubtful Sound, and the limestone Te Ana-au Glow-Worm Caves. Coastal highlights include Slope Point, the South Island's southernmost tip, and the 180-million-year-old petrified forest at Curio Bay. Further south, Stewart Island's Rakiura National Park offers a sanctuary for native birdlife and extensive hiking tracks.

13 places
MurielBendel / CC BY-SA 4.0

Mountain Peaks

The Southland region of New Zealand contains some of the country's most dramatic alpine topography, centered primarily within Fiordland National Park. This selection features Mitre Peak, which rises 1,692 meters from the shores of Milford Sound, and Key Summit, a prominent viewpoint along the Routeburn Track overlooking the Hollyford and Eglinton valleys. The list also includes Secretary Island's Mount Grono and the granite peaks of Stewart Island, representing the diverse geological formations of the southern South Island.

5 places
Matchkick / CC BY-SA 3.0

Coastal Wonders

This collection spans the dramatic southwestern edge of New Zealand, from the glacier-carved fjords of Fiordland National Park to the rugged coastlines of the Catlins and Stewart Island. Highlights include the towering cliffs of Milford Sound, the 180-million-year-old petrified forest at Curio Bay, and remote maritime heritage sites like the Puysegur Point Lighthouse. These locations showcase a unique intersection of geological history, including the southernmost fjords of Rakituma and Taiari, and diverse marine ecosystems.

16 places
Thorney¿? / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Lakes and Waterfalls

Fiordland’s glacial landscape is defined by its dramatic water features, including Lake Hauroko, New Zealand's deepest lake at 462 meters. This collection highlights iconic cascades like the 580-meter Sutherland Falls and the 162-meter Bowen Falls in Milford Sound. The list also includes the reflective Mirror Lakes along the Milford Road and Lake Manapouri, known for its numerous islands and indented coastline. These sites showcase the region's geological diversity, from towering multi-tiered waterfalls to expansive wilderness lakes within a UNESCO World Heritage area.

9 places
Pseudopanax / Public domain

Museums & History

Southland’s history spans from the Jurassic era to the golden age of motoring. This collection includes the world’s largest private automotive museum, Bill Richardson Transport World, and the collaborative He Waka Tuia art space in Invercargill. On Stewart Island, the Rakiura Museum details maritime and indigenous heritage, while the Wohlers Monument marks early missionary influence. The list concludes at Curio Bay, where 180-million-year-old fossilized tree stumps and logs are exposed on the shoreline during low tide.

5 places

Southland Region — Map

Southland Region — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Fair
  • 17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 9°–22°
  • 12° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in February

Fair
  • 17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 9°–22°
  • 12° at night
  • 14 rainy days
  • 8 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in March

Fair
  • 16° (feels like 13°) · extremes 8°–21°
  • 11° at night
  • 16 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Poor
  • 14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 7°–18°
  • 10° at night
  • 17 rainy days
  • 4 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in May

Poor
  • 12° (feels like 8°) · extremes 5°–16°
  • 9° at night
  • 20 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in June

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 5°) · extremes 4°–13°
  • 7° at night
  • 19 rainy days
  • 2 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in July

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 5°) · extremes 3°–13°
  • 6° at night
  • 19 rainy days
  • 3 sunny days
  • 3 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in August

Poor
  • 10° (feels like 6°) · extremes 3°–14°
  • 6° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 5 sunny days
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in September

Poor
  • 12° (feels like 7°) · extremes 4°–16°
  • 7° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 6 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Poor
  • 13° (feels like 8°) · extremes 5°–18°
  • 8° at night
  • 20 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Poor
  • 14° (feels like 10°) · extremes 6°–19°
  • 9° at night
  • 18 rainy days
  • 6 sunny days
  • 7 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in December

Fair
  • 16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 8°–21°
  • 11° at night
  • 17 rainy days
  • 7 sunny days
  • 8 hours of sunshine per day
  • Dry air
  • Light breeze
  • UV index 7 · high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency
New Zealand Dollar NZD $ · Card payments · Widely accepted
Emergency numbers
111
Electricity
Type I
230 V · 50 Hz
Languages
English, Māori
Tap water
Safe to drink
Driving side
Left
Calling code
+64
Learn more

Tours & Activities

Riverside Hotel
Taxi · 8 min
Southland Region
2h
Walk · 6 min
Corner Café
45 min
Walk · 18 min
Riverside Hotel

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Related destinations

South Island Invercargill Fiordland National Park Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward Rakiura National Park Lake Te Anau Pahia Hill Scenic Reserve

Other Destinations

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Data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata, Wikipedia, Tripomatic, Official websites, geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0).