New Zealand Guide
Dunedin to Stewart Island
The southeastern corner of the South Island contains some of the least-visited parts of New Zealand, yet a couple of real gems are hidden away here. The darkly attractive harbourside city of Dunedin, some 400km south of Christchurch, is a seat of learning and culture, influenced by its university (the country's oldest) and its thriving Scottish traditions. From here south to Stewart Island, local accents are marked by a distinctive Scots "burr", the only true regional variation in the country. Within easy reach of the city is the windswept Otago Peninsula, an important wildlife haven where you can observe rare marine life and seabirds at close range. South of Dunedin, the wild Catlins Coast is a protected reserve. This magical, virtually forgotten region, home to several rare species, offers dramatically varied scenery, from hills covered with dense native forest to a shoreline indented with rocky bays, long sweeps of sand and intriguing geological formations.
On the South Island's southern tip lies Invercargill, bordered by the rich pastureland of Southland's farming communities. The city is the springboard to the country's third island, the comparatively small Stewart Island. Relatively few visit, but those who do are rewarded with virgin rainforest and extraordinary birdlife, particularly just offshore on Ulva Island.
Kiwis from more northern parts delight in condemning the climate of the southern South Island, and it's true that the further south you go, the wetter it gets. Generally, the best time to come is November to April, when you're most likely to enjoy warmer, though changeable, weather, with midsummer temperatures averaging around 19°C. You'll also catch the best of the wildlife, coinciding with the breeding season of many species. The Catlins and Invercargill get their highest rainfall in the spring (Sept & Oct), while Stewart Island has showers most days in between bursts of sunshine.
Highlights
1 Dunedin Dine on haggis and deliberate over 300 kinds of whisky inside the magnificent railway station of the country's Scottish city.
2 Taieri Gorge Combine a train trip winding through the rugged Taieri Gorge with cycling the Otago Central Rail Trail.
3 Otago Peninsula Paddle around this stunning coastline in a kayak to see a rich variety of landscapes and wildlife.
4 Curio Bay Survey a fossilized forest, a yellow-eyed penguin colony and Hector's dolphins surfing the waves of the wild Catlins Coast.
5 Invercargill Take a laid-back tour before taste-testing unique brews straight from the source at the Invercargill Brewery.
6 Mason Bay Tramp to Stewart Island's windswept west coast for your best chance of spotting rare kiwis in the wild.