Southland District: Walking Tracks, Island Nature and History

In Southland District, nature and cultural experiences range from multi-day walks to island tracks, conservation, and regional history. The area’s varied landscapes and time scales offer useful guidance for planning a trip: from the three-day Hump Ridge Track to walks on Stewart Island/Rakiura and insights into the region’s history.

Walking tracks between coast, forest, and lakes

The Hump Ridge Track in southern Fiordland is a three-day loop over subalpine heights and along a rugged coastline. It opened as New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk on 25 October 2024. The track also includes a short interpretive loop around the historic Port Craig sawmill site—an opportunity to combine the route with insights into the history of the place.

The Kepler Track section from Rainbow Reach leads through beech forest to Moturau Hut and Shallow Bay on Lake Manapouri. The Lake2Lake Trail offers a different route: it follows Lake Te Anau and the eastern side of the Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. This gives you a choice of different landscapes and route descriptions, without assuming a walking time for these tracks.

Island nature on Stewart Island/Rakiura

The Rakiura Track follows an open coastline, passes through the island’s forested interior, and runs along the sheltered shores of Paterson Inlet. Oban is the only settlement on Stewart Island/Rakiura. From Invercargill, you can reach Oban with a 20-minute flight; the ferry crossing from Bluff over Foveaux Strait takes one hour. As schedules may change, check them before your trip.

Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara is an open sanctuary with well-maintained tracks suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Following a successful eradication programme, the island was declared rat-free. Its relatively untouched state makes it important for the protection of threatened species. An easy track leads to a golden sandy beach and is wheelchair-accessible all the way to the beach. There are picnic tables, a picnic shelter, a toilet, and fresh water. Facilities may change; check their current condition before your visit.

Birds and conservation near Te Anau

Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is on the shores of Lake Te Anau. It is a 20-minute walk or a two-minute drive from the Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. Visits are self-guided; activities for children are also available on site.

The takahē pairs at the sanctuary support the Takahē Recovery Programme by raising chicks. At around one year old, the young birds are released into wild, predator-controlled areas. Ivon Wilson Park on the edge of Te Anau is also one of the parks in Southland District; the district also has numerous scenic walking tracks.

Museums and environmental history

Around ten museums in Southland District tell the story of Southland Province and its people. The collections range from historic machinery to whaling artefacts. Lake Manapouri reveals another aspect of regional history: following a campaign in the 1960s against raising its water level, the lake was protected by law.

Southland as a wider travel horizon

The wider Southland destination offers more multi-day walks. The Milford Track can only be walked in one direction, over three nights and four days. The Mavora–Greenstone Walkway connects the Mavora Lakes camping area with the Greenstone Track; the walk is 50 kilometres long and takes four days. These details offer a regional comparison of different time scales and route types.

Discover more destinations: Monowai, Winton, Athol, Milford Sound, Papatotara, Te Anau Downs, Niagara, Stewart Island, Tokanui, Tuatapere, The Key, Mossburn, Wyndham, Te Anau, Manapouri, Garston, Dipton, Otautau, Nightcaps, Lumsden.

For the wider travel overview: Southland.