Tour New Zealand: The Southern Scenic Route

New Zealand is not short on adventures and attractions, but one road trip is sure to leave you awestruck; the southern scenic route. Starting in Queenstown and ending in Dunedin, the Southern Scenic Route has enless spectacles from penguins and volcanoes to rare flora and unique wildlife. The drive along the southern coast of the south island takes around 10 hours, but you'll want to give yourself 3-4 days so you can enjoy the spectacular views along the way. For your convenience and pleasure we have provided you with some of the best stopping points along the route so you can plan your itinerary accordingly. Grab a rental car in Queenstown and drop your car off in Dunedin with our one way car rentals.

Road trippers have the choice to camp out along the way from Queenstown to Dunedin or grab hotels that aren't far off the route. Along with great rental cars, Auto Europe can help you find great savings on hotel deals in New Zealand. Our convenient booking service makes it quick and easy to book hotels along The Southern Scenic Route. Read on to learn more about this once in a lifetime roadtrip along the coast of New Zealand.

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Preparing for your tour of the Southern Scenic Route

This itinerary follows multiple roads, some of which might have tolls. Please come prepared with cash on hand to avoid any possible fines. We recommend that travelers have all the route information and supplies, such as extra clothes and food, before setting out on their journey.

With so many sights on this road trip we strongly recommend bringing a camera on your trip. Many smartphones come equipped with cameras but having a professional standalone camera will go a long way towards having amazing photos that will be worth showing off for years to come.

Stops Along the Southern Scenic Route

We have compiled some of the most memorable stops along the Southern Scenic Route in New Zealand. Read below to find out where some of the best break points are along the southern coast of New Zealand. We hope these tips get you excited for your upcoming trip, remember to use our simple three step booking engine at the top of the page to find the best deals on rental cars in New Zealand.

Invercargill

Located approximately two and a half hours from Dunedin, Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost city and has a population around 53,000. What you'll notice first about Invercargill is how flat it is. The rolling hills of New Zealand are forgotten in Invercargill, and many commuters take bikes to work. Flat and straight roads make navigating the city a breeze.

While in Invercargill be sure to visit the Oreti Beach, which is the only beach in the area that allows you to drive your car directly onto the beach. It's not often you get to goto a beach that has a speed limit. Native forest walks in the Oreti Beach area reveal a fantastic wildlife community. the Oreti Beach is a must see on the Southern Scenic Route. Those who enjoy architecture should visit the infamous Water Tower in Invercargill. Built in 1889, it is a beautiful structure and is Invercargill's most recognizable landmarks.

The Anderson Park is also worth a visit. Here travelers can enjoy over 24 hectares (60 acres) of beautiful landscaped gardens, native bushes, and an elegant 1925 Georgian-style mansion that is the centerpiece of the park. A duckpond and playground also make this a great place to bring children. It's easy to spend an entire day sightseeing around Anderson park.

Fiordland National Park

Up next is the Fiorland National Park. Established in 1952 the park is over 3 million acres in size and is a perfect blend of mountains, lakes, fjords, and rainforest environments. The book "Mountains of Water" describes the park as 'A cherished corner of the world where mountains and valleys compete with each other for room, where scale is almost beyond comprehension, rainfall is measured in metres and scenery encompasses the broadest width of emotions'. Well said!

Take the Milford Road and discover one of the most inspiring views in the world, The Mitre Peak. The peak rises 5,500 feet above sea level and leaves travelers in awe when witnessing the peak for the first time. Regardless of the weather any photo taken of Mitre Peak is one of a kind. The park also features three world class walking tracks; The Kepler Track, The Milford Track, and the Routeburn Track. Each hike has it's own exciting adventure and should not be passed up on. Some of the walking tracks are over 20 miles, so prepare to do some camping if you intend on walking the entire length of the track.

Also worth noting are the various tours you can take so you get the most out of your trip to Fiordland National Park. Helicopter tours, water cruises, and guided hikes are available throughout the park. One of the most exciting tours is the trek through the Glowworm Cave. A scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau brings you to underground caverns with sculpted rock formations, and at the end is an unforgettable site, hundreds of tiny glowworms brightening the dark cave with their luminescence.

The Catlins

The Catlins are an area on the southeastern corner of south island. If you're driving from Queensland to start the Southern Scenic Route, you'll find the Catlins towards the end of your trip, closer to Dunedin. Waterfalls, temperate rainforests, and scenic coastlines are spread throughout The Catlins and all are accessible off the main road.

Off the coastline of the Catlins are some of the countries largest ocean swells, often times larger than 16 feet. This has gained the Catlins a reputation for big wave surfing. Professional big wave surfing competitions are regular in the area, so be sure to stop and take in some of the worlds most extreme athletes if you have the opportunity.

The Catlins are an inspiring and beautiful part of New Zealand. It has a number of attractions to tempt visitors to the area, and a growing range of activities ensures visitors to The Catlins will find plenty to do and see. The Catlins is renowned for its ever-changing panoramic views of cloudy skies, wind-shorn trees, rugged shores, forests and pastureland. You'll want to be sure you bring your camera when you explore the Catlins!

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