Are you driving from Invercargill to Te Anau and wondering what there is to see and do along the way? I’ve got you covered!
You have two options when self-driving from Invercargill to Te Anau.
State Highway 6 to State Highway 94 is the fastest and most direct route. It’s 155km long and will take just under 2 hours to complete without stops. If you are short on time and just want to get from Invercargill to Te Anau, this is a good option.
On the other hand, driving from Invercargill to Te Anau via the Southern Scenic Route is a picturesque journey through the southern wilderness. It’s 188km long and will take around 2.5 hours without stopping. However, we recommend leaving plenty of extra time to explore all the great places to stop along the way.
If you have time to explore, we recommend taking the Southern Scenic Route for the most scenic road trip experience, and it’s the route we’ll be focusing on.
We’re sharing 12 of the best places to stop along the Southern Scenic Route from Invercargill to Te Anau. From beautiful coastal towns to limestone caves and local delicacies, it’ll be a road trip to remember.
Related Blog Post: New Zealand South Island Itinerary: 2-Week Road Trip
Invercargill to Te Anau via the Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a 610-kilometer (380-mile) scenic journey between Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin with side trips to Fiordland, including Manapouri and Te Anau.
The Western Southland portion of the Southern Scenic Route follows State Highway 99 along the coastal towns of Southland, then up along the scenic wilderness flats to Manapouri where you’ll connect to State Highway 95 to Te Anau.
The idea for the Southern Scenic Route was actually established in 1985 by the local people of Tuatapere who wanted to share the local gems of Southland with visitors who took the time to visit the region and were keen to venture off the beaten path.
It’s a road less travelled, marked by brown signs with a red triangle and a white curvy road within the triangle. The Southern Scenic Route is a sealed road but you may venture onto unsealed gravel roads to get to some of the attractions.
The road can also be winding and narrow at times and you may encounter sheep and cattle being moved along roads so be sure to take it slow and drive to the conditions.
It’s an incredible journey through an underrated part of the South Island that will take you to deserted beaches, hidden gems and rural landscapes that will make you feel like you have New Zealand all to yourself!
Best Stops on the Drive from Invercargill to Te Anau
1. Invercargill
Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city and the perfect mix of old-world character meets modern city with a laid-back vibe. Whether you’re spending a couple of nights or just passing through, there are plenty of great things to see and do here.
Keep your eye out for sculptures that are scattered around the city and see how many you can spot.
Queens Park is a spectacular public park right in the heart of the city with 80 hectares of green space, stunning gardens and wildlife habitats.
Sandy Point Domain is a sand and shingle peninsula, a short drive from the city center. It’s bordered by the Oreti River and Foveaux Straight, offering scenic coastal views in one of the southernmost points of New Zealand.
If you’re into old cars, you can’t miss a visit to Bill Richardson Transport World, one of Invercargill’s most popular attractions. It has literally hundreds of vehicles on display. I wouldn’t call myself a petrolhead, but even I couldn’t walk past the retro Kombis without swooning. I’ve never seen a collection of this magnitude all in one place before, it’s truly incredible!
2. Riverton
As you head west on the Scenic Southern Route (State Highway 99) out of Invercargill, you’ll come to a small seaside settlement called Riverton.
Affectionately referred to as the ‘Riviera of the South’, with its laid-back surfer vibe and cute little shops and cafes, it’s easy to see why Riverton is one the most popular holiday destinations in Southland.
Stop at Riverton Beachhouse for delicious chowder and a good cup of coffee with sea views. Or grab your coffee to go and head to Riverton Rocks Beach.
There are several beaches in the area and this is the first one you’ll come to. The views from the top of the hill are pretty good and you might even see dolphins if you’re lucky!
A little further along, at the very end of Rocks Highway is Howells Point Reserve. There’s a short and easy walk to a lookout point with great views over Riverton and the sea.
3. Colac Bay
Ten minutes up the road from Riverton is Colac Bay, a raw and beautiful coastline with a pristine beach, perfect for a stroll and a popular spot for surfing. On a clear day, you can even see straight to Stewart Island.
It’s quite a long bay with a tiny town at the end of it. There aren’t many amenities here but if it’s oyster season we recommend stopping into the Colac Bay Tavern to try some. Bluff Oysters are a delicacy in New Zealand and are shipped to restaurants all over the country when in season.
There’s a freedom campsite near the beach and a couple of nice walks in the area. The Long Hilly (Round Hill) Walking Track is an interesting one that takes you through a historic gold mining site. You’ll see relics along the way and information panels providing insight into the history of the area.
4. Cosy Nook
Keep your eye out for Cosy Nook, about a 15-minute drive from Colac Bay heading west on the Scenic Southern Route. It’s about a 7-minute drive from the turn-off onto Pahia-Wakapatu Road and totally worth the short detour.
The small rocky cove is home to several fishing boats and a significant site in Māori culture, being one of the largest Māori villages in coastal Southland during the 1820s.
It’s a quick and picturesque stop on your way from Invercargill to Te Anau that provides a glimpse into the raw and humble remote coastal areas.
5. Monkey Island Beach
Monkey Island Beach is just a few minutes up the road from Cosy Nook and super easy to get to. It’s such a beautiful spot for photos and a quick stroll along the beach.
The long stretch of sandy beach is a popular spot for horse riding, swimming and surfing.
There are rock pools to explore and at low tide, you can walk straight out to Monkey Island. There’s a stairway that leads to the top of the Island with incredible views of the deep blue sea and mountains in the distance.
Don’t worry, you won’t run into any monkeys here. It’s thought to have gotten its name from a “monkey winch” that was used to haul boats ashore when delivering supplies to the area, back before the road from Riverton was built.
6. Gemstone Beach
Five minutes up the road from Monkey Beach is Gemstone Beach, and you don’t want to miss this stop. It’s one of the top beaches in New Zealand for beachcombing.
It’s a quick turn-off from the highway with stunning views of Te Waewae Bay. The best thing is, storms and tides are constantly changing the beach from sand to stone, bringing with it lots of treasures.
Actual gemstones have been found amongst the thousands of multicoloured stones washing up, hence the name Gemstone Beach. Sapphires, garnet, quartz and jasper are some of the treasures that have been found here, so be sure to keep your eyes open for any ‘hidden gems’ (pun intended!).
7. Tuatapere
Tuatapere is the first little town you’ll come across as you make your way inland on the drive from Invercargill to Te Anau, known as the self-proclaimed sausage capital of New Zealand.
Trading the coastal landscapes for wilderness and lush rolling farmland, Tuatapere is the gateway to activities such as hiking, fishing and hunting.
However, as a short stop, we recommend taking a walk through the Domain that leads to an ancient Totara tree, nearly 2.5 meters in diameter! You’ll find the entrance on the west side of the Waiau River Bridge.
Or visit the local art galleries around town. The Craft Centre has a selection of locally made items, perfect for taking home as souvenirs.
And of course, you can’t leave without trying one of their famous sausages. You can try them at The Tui Base Camp Bar which has a window into the kitchen where you can see the sausages being made at certain times.
8. Clifden Caves
Warning: Caving experience is essential to fully explore the caves and they are prone to flash flooding during and after heavy rain. DO NOT enter if it has been raining or if rain is forecast.
Explore the fascinating network of underground limestone caves located just outside of Clifden. It’s one of the only underground caves in Southland where you can see stalactites and maybe even glowworms.
Experienced cavers can navigate the cave system on your own which will take around 1.5 – 2 hours. A decent level of fitness and agility is required to navigate some of the narrow sections where you’ll need to crawl on your hands and knees to get through. There are a few ladders to climb up and down as well.
There is a section where you’ll need to walk through a shallow pool. If you enter the cave at the upper or lower entrance and travel south to the exit it will minimise the time you’ll spend with wet feet.
A good flashlight or headlamp is essential and be sure to keep an eye on the orange markers to stay on route.
If you are not comfortable with dark confined spaces or if there has been heavy rain (which may cause flash flooding in the caves) give this one a miss and check out the suspension bridge instead.
9. Clifden Suspension Bridge
If you’ve been travelling around New Zealand for a while, then you probably know there is no shortage of suspension bridges in this country.
What’s unique about this historic bridge is that at 111.5 meters (365 feet) long, it’s the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand. I know, I know, nothing compared to some of the bridges you see overseas but it was quite the engineering feat when it was built back in 1899.
The other great thing about this bridge is the fantastic cafe disguised as a food truck. It’s the only bridge I’ve come across here so far that offers top-quality food and excellent coffee with this unique backdrop. It’s called the Good Mood Food van and seriously worth a visit.
10. Scenic Lookout Points
For the next stretch of your journey, you’ll be driving through flats running parallel to the Waiau River. With beautiful rural landscapes as far as the eye can see, here are a few quick stops you can choose from to stretch your legs and snap some photos.
Rakatu Wetlands Lookout
The Rakatu Wetlands Lookout has an easy walking track around the wetlands, great for seeing the bird life of the area with lookout points and information panels along the way. There are even toilets near the first lookout.
Whare Creek Scenic Lookout
A further 10 minutes along is the scenic lookout near Whare Creek. We enjoyed this stop because there are information boards where you can learn about the Manapouri Power Scheme and the impacts on the nearby lakes and Wairau River. The local township was against it and fought back resulting in a compromise that was a world first for hydro schemes. It’s one of the most interesting environmental battles in the region and worth a read.
Mararoa River Lookout
A minute’s drive further, right after you cross over the Mararoa River, is the Mararoa River Lookout. It’s another quick stop offering views of the river along the cliff faces. You may even spot some rainbow trout in the clear water.
11. Kepler Mountain View Alpacas
A stop at Kepler Mountain View Alpacas, just outside of Manapouri is a must-do for animal lovers of all ages. You can book a farm tour through their website where the lovely hosts will take you around to meet and feed the alpacas while learning all about them along the way.
Be sure to stop into the Wild Wool Gallery located on-site and check out the handmade alpaca wool items. Great for gifts or as souvenirs to take home with you.
12. Manapouri
Manapouri is a great little town to visit. It’s a little off the beaten path with fewer crowds and beautiful landscapes. It’s also the access point for a Doubtful Sound cruise which starts from the Manapouri visitors center.
Grab a refreshing drink at The Church, a pub set in an old Presbyterian Church built in the late 1800s. You’ll see characteristics of the original building in the shape of the windows and doors but inside is a rustic and cozy pub complete with a beer garden for those warm summer days.
Afterwards, you can take a walk to Frasers Beach for beautiful views over Lake Manapouri.
If you’re an avid hiker, you might want to check out some of the hidden walking trails in Manapouri. The Circle Track takes a few hours so depending on what time you left Invercargill, you may be able to fit this in as your last stop for the afternoon.
You’ll need to take a water taxi, which runs from September to May, across the Waiau River to access the start of these remote trails.
FAQs About The Drive from Invercargill to Te Anau
What is there to see between Invercargill and Te Anau?
Driving the Southern Scenic Route from Invercargill to Te Anau will take you off the beaten path through artsy surf towns and remote coastal villages, to underground caves and past many scenic lookout points with breathtaking scenery of the Southwest.
What is the most scenic route from Te Anau to Invercargill?
The Western Southland portion of the Southern Scenic Route is a picturesque journey through the southern wilderness and remote coastal towns. It’s 188km long and will take around 2.5 hours without stopping. However, we recommend leaving plenty of extra time to explore all the scenic stops along the way.
Is it worth visiting Te Anau?
Te Anau is underrated and without a doubt worth visiting. With plenty of amenities, a range of accommodation options, great restaurants and plenty of activities on offer, it’s an ideal base from which to explore Fiordland.
How do you spend a day in Te Anau?
Start your day in Te Anau with breakfast at the Sandfly Cafe, followed by a morning cruise on Lake Te Anau. Visit the Bird Sanctuary to see rare birds of New Zealand and spend the afternoon on one of the scenic walking trails or jet boating through the Waiau River. Finish the day with sunset by the lake and a woodfired pizza at Pizzeria Paradiso.
Final Thoughts: Driving from Invercargill to Te Anau
Now you’ve made it to Te Anau and are ready to explore all the incredible things to do here.
Te Anau is an ideal base from which to explore Fiordland. We highly recommend spending a few nights here. There are plenty of accommodation options in Te Anau in suit a whole range of budgets.
Not only that, but they have a great selection of restaurants offering top-quality food with Southern hospitality.
Why not head to Milford Sound next?
The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic roads in the South Island with many scenic stops along the way.
A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do experience, plus there are loads of other fun things to do in Milford Sound from kayaking to scuba diving.
Not only that but Milford Sound is a hiker’s dream, with a selection of hiking trails ranging from short and easy to multi-day hikes.
For experienced hikers we highly recommend the Lake Marian track. Or, the Key Summit Track is a popular option on a clear day.
You can even experience the famous Milford Track as a day walk to Giant Gate Falls.
A visit to Fiordland should be on everyone’s must-do list when visiting New Zealand and a road trip along the Southern Scenic route from Invercargill to Te Anau will take you through all the best stops along the way. It’s sure to be a highlight of your trip!
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Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.
Loved this we did it from Te Anau to Invercargill and the drive seemed to only take an hour. Things we noted:
1.The alpaca farm doesn’t open until 10.30, so if you do this trip backwards as we did leave Te Anau later as it’s not a long drive.
2. Craft shop not found in Tuatapere.
3. Rivertons shops mainly second hand
Have a great drive.
Thanks for the notes. Glad you enjoyed the trip, sounds like you made excellent time. The craft shop is on Orawia Road. It is run by volunteers and opening times may vary depending on availability.