Otautau: Museum, Berries and Golf

Otautau offers several specific points of interest when planning a stay: the former courthouse, which houses the Otautau Museum; the Otautau Gallery in a former church; seasonal blueberry picking at the orchard; and the hilly golf course. For the harvest, timing and availability are especially important.

History at the Courthouse and Gallery

The former courthouse is listed as a Category II historic place and is an important feature of Otautau’s historic streetscape. It served as a courthouse for more than sixty years; it houses the Otautau Museum and serves as a venue for exhibitions and presentations that offer insight into the past. This one building brings together its former role as a courthouse, its historic status and the interpretation of local history.

The Otautau Gallery is shaped by a different former use: it is located in a former Methodist church on the main street. The gallery has an arrangement with Lynnley Driver, a well-known South Island artist, to create portraits of beloved dogs. If you would like to arrange such a portrait, check availability before your trip.

Local History by the River

The Māori name Otautau is associated with the meeting of the Aparima River and the Otautau Stream. European settlement began as a resting and camping place on the route from Riverton inland and onward to the Lakes District. Historically, Otautau was also on a route between the south coast and Te Anau. Together, the place name and route connections offer insight into the settlement’s different geographical and historical reference points.

The Otautau Recreation Reserve is another local feature. A 2003 management plan published by the Southland District Council notes that the Aparima River flows through the reserve. The river thus adds to the historical connections conveyed by the place name and routes.

Berries and Golf

Otautau Orchard offers two different berry options. For a limited time in January and February, visitors can pick fresh blueberries directly from the fields. Before picking, they park and check in at the entrance to the Orchard Shop or pick-your-own area. The farm shop also sells ready-picked berries in one-kilogram units, while stocks last. This lets you choose between picking your own and buying berries that have already been picked; for picking, timing and the process matter, while availability matters at the farm shop. Check the dates and current operator information before your trip.

Otautau Golf Club has a hilly nine-hole course. If golf is part of your trip, you can use the number of holes and the terrain to decide whether it suits your stay.

Walking in the Southland District

In the broader Southland District destination, the Hump Ridge Track is a regional hiking destination. The three-day loop crosses subalpine heights and follows a rugged coastline in southern Fiordland. It opened on 25 October 2024 as New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk. The route also includes a short interpretive loop around the historic Port Craig sawmill site. Alongside Otautau’s local attractions, the Southland District therefore offers a distinct multi-day hiking experience.

Discover more destinations: Te Anau Downs, The Key, Lumsden, Niagara, Garston, Papatotara, Milford Sound, Winton

For the broader travel overview: Southland District.