Southland (Murihiku), New Zealand

Scenery to soothe your soul

In contrast to the dryness of Central Otago, Southland is lush and green. Tranquil waterways attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Near-pristine southern rainforest provides opportunities for day walks and hiking. The amazing Catlins Coast promises wildlife encounters and the chance to see Curio Bay – a petrified forest of subtropical kauri and other trees dating back to the Jurassic age.

Southland's largest urban centre is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks.

A half hour drive south from Invercargill is the fishing port of Bluff - home to the famous Bluff oyster and a lively annual seafood festival.

From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island - a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat.

Kiwis are unique to New Zealand. They are nocturnal and flightless. There are five kinds of kiwi - three closely related Brown Kiwis, the Little Spotted Kiwi and the Great Spotted Kiwi. The kiwi’s long slender bill has nostrils at the lower end, so that it can detect worms, insects and grubs. Despite its awkward appearance, a kiwi can outrun a human.

Key Features

The Catlins Coast. Winding between Fortrose and Kaka Point, the Catlins Coast takes you to enthralling wildlife experiences, beautiful waterfalls and rustic, farmland scenery. Beaches, forest walks and nostalgic hospitality will capture your heart.

Park in the city. Invercargill is built around beautiful Queens Park – 80 hectares of gardens, wildlife and sporting fun. As well as an 18-hole golf course, the park has animal enclosures, a bird aviary, play areas and the Southland Museum.

Only a small stretch of Stewart Island's 1600 kilometres of coastline is touched by human habitation. With barely 20 kilometres of road, the island is a haven for visitors who love hiking, fishing, diving and boating. The half-day walk from Halfmoon Bay to Golden Bay and Ringaringa Beach comes highly recommended. Photo by Gilbert van Reenen (www.cleangreen.co.nz))

Rakiura National Park, Stewart Island. Stewart Island is an ecological wonderland. The clamour of civilisation is replaced by rapturous birdsong and sounds of the sea. Rendezvous with a kiwi, visit Ulva Island bird sanctuary or walk one of the many tracks.