Southern Scenic Route

Starting point of the Southern Scenic Route near Queenstown

The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist route in the south of New Zealand's South Island . The approximately 610 km long route connects Queenstown with the Fiordland and Te Anau via Manapouri and Riverton with Invercargill and Bluff . From there it leads through the Catlins to Balclutha and Dunedin .

Routing

Course of the Southern Scenic Route

The Southern Scenic Route follows a U-shaped route.

From Queenstown it takes you on State Highway 6 and from Mossburn on State Highway 94 to Te Anau.
Although the Milford Sound is not an official part of the route, a trip to the Sound is recommended starting from Te Anau (see also detour ).

From Te Anau it follows the eastern border of the Fiordland National Park through Manapouri and Tuatapere . It reaches the coast at Te Waewae Bay and turns southeast through Orepuki , Colac Bay and Riverton.

In Lorneville , the road returns to State Highway 6 and follows it through the town of Invercargill. Bluff can be reached via State Highway 1 via a detour.
From Bluff, Stewart Island can be reached as an extended destination on the route as recommended in the information brochure (see also detour ).

From Invercargill the road turns east through Fortrose into the Catlins, then through Owaka to Balclutha. The next rugged stretch of coast with its bad roads around Kaitangata is bypassed, the Southern Scenic Route follows the course of State Highway 1 to Milton and Lake Waihola .

At Waihola the route leaves the highway again and climbs up through the Otago Coast Forest ; it reaches the coast again at Taieri Mouth . From here the road follows the back road through Brighton and Green Island . It ends at Caversham in SH1.

History and Development

Marking the Southern Scenic Route

The concept and name of the Southern Scenic Route originated at an informal meeting in Tuatapere in November 1985 and was confirmed at a public meeting in January 1986. The project sponsors then negotiated with the tourism and road authorities and the local government.

As it was the first such project in New Zealand, the approval process made slow progress. The Southern Scenic Route was officially opened on November 6, 1988 and led from Te Anau to Balclutha. The line was extended to Dunedin in 1998.

At the beginning of 2007 the idea came up to extend the route beyond Dunedin through Waikati . In November 2007, Dunedin City Council confirmed that it was negotiating with the Waitaki District Council to extend it to Oamaru . Until the end of 2010 these ideas were not implemented.

The road is maintained in its individual sections by the New Zealand Transport Agency , the Southland District , the Clutha District and the cities of Invercargill and Dunedin.

The route itself uses paved roads throughout; however, many of the sights that are accessed by the Southern Scenic Route are not directly on the road and can only be reached via unpaved roads and hiking trails.

Travel + Leisure magazine described the route in 2008 as "one of the greatest undiscovered routes in the world".

Stages and stations

The information brochure for the route lists over 80 stations on 7 stages, which include sights in nature as well as buildings, hiking opportunities, historical places or places where wildlife can be observed.

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  Stage 1 - Queenstown and Wakatipu

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  Stage 2 - Fiordland, Te Anau and Manapouri

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  Stage 3 - Western Southland

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  Stage 4 - Invercargill and Bluff

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  Stage 5 - The Catlins

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  Stage 6 - Balclutha

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  Stage 7 - Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

Queenstown and Wakatipu

Starting in Queenstown , the route leads over Kingston and Five Rivers to Mossburn . This section primarily lists hiking options as stations.

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Hike location	Queenstown Hill Time Walk	A hike at the end of which a 360 degree view of the Queenstown area is possible.
2	Hike	Queenstown Gardens	A thirty minute circuit to the Frankton Arm .
3	Hike	Frankton Arm Walkway	The Frankton Arm Walkway is a cycling route between Queenstown and Frankton .
4th	Hike location	Kelvin Peninsula Track	A riverside path that leads from the Kawarau Falls Bridge along the Frankton Arm .
5	Hike location	Jack's Point Track	A hike along Lake Wakatipu that has good views of the lake and mountains.
6th	Hike location	Lower Wye Creek Track	A hike to Lower Wye Creek , which takes about four hours to get there and back.
7th	Lookout point location	The Devil's Staircase	A lookout point that allows views of Lake Wakatipu.
8th	Hike	The Shirtail Track	A hiking trail that leads to Shirtail Creek .
9	Hike	The Lakefront Track	A riverside path starting in the Kingston Lakefront Reserve .
10	Sight / hike location	Remarkables Conservation Area	The Remarkables are a mountain range up to 2,340 meters high, on which there is a ski area.

Fiordland, Te Anau and Manapouri

Coming from Mossburn , the route describes an arc via Te Anau to Manapouri , both places which represent entry points for the New Zealand Fiordland National Park . In this area hiking opportunities as well as beaches and a lookout point are listed as stations. From Te Anau, a detour to Milford Sound is recommended, but it is not part of the route (see detour ).

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Hike	From the visitor center to the Te Anau Wildlife Center	A bank hike to the Te Anau Wildlife Center .
2	Hike	From the visitor center to the control gate	A 50 minute hike to the Control Gates on the southwest side of Lake Te Anau .
3	Hike location	From the control gate to the dock bay	There is a hike from the Control Gates to Dock Bay where you can swim.
4th	Hike location	From the control gate to Brod Bay	A hike from the Control Gates to Brod Bay, from where a return trip by water taxi to Te Anau is possible.
5	Hike location	From Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay	A forest hiking trail on which some of the Lord of the Rings filming locations are located.
6th	Lookout point	Wilderness lookout	A viewing platform that allows a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
7th	Beach	Frasers Beach	A 45 minute hike from Pearl Harbor to Frasers Beach.

Western Southland

This section is located between Manapouri and Riverton and offers hiking opportunities, viewpoints, natural sights and historical sites as stops on the Southern Scenic Route.

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Sightseeing	Rakatu Wetlands and Redcliff Wildlife Reserve	A wetland with a variety of hiking opportunities.
2	Hike location	Borland Road and Borland Lodge	The Borland Road is one for four-wheel drives suitable road into the hinterland.
3	Hike	Borland Nature Walk	A hike starting from Borland Lodge .
4th	lake location	Lake Monowai	Lake Monowai is a lake in the southern part of Fiordland National Park .
5	Lookout point	The Peninsula Lookout	A lookout point that overlooks Lake Monowai.
6th	Hike	Big Totara Walk	A hiking trail that leads past Totara Trees that are over 1000 years old .
7th	Sightseeing location	Clifden Suspension Bridge	A bridge built in 1898.
8th	cave	Clifden Caves	A system of limestone caves that can be entered.
9	lake location	Lake Hauroko	Lake Hauroko is 462 meters deep and is New Zealand's deepest lake.
10	Hike	Tuatapere Hump ​​Ridge Track	The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 55-kilometer hiking trail over the Hump ​​Ridge .
11	Sightseeing	Port Craig	A former lumberjack town, which can be explored by means of a historical nature trail (Heritage trail).
12	Lookout point	McCracken's rest	A viewing platform with views of Te Waewae Bay and the Solander Islands .
13	Beach	Gemstone Beach	A beach where minerals such as quartz can often be found.
14th	island location	Monkey Island / Te Puka o Takitimu	A small island that can be entered at low tide .
15th	bay location	Cozy Nook	A rocky bay and the former location of a Maori settlement.
16	Hike	Long Hilly Track	A hike to see the relics of Chinese prospectors.
17th	bay location	Colac Bay / Oraka	A small settlement on a bay with good surfing conditions .
18th	Hike	Mores Scenic Reserve	The Mores Scenic Reverse contains numerous hiking opportunities.
19th	Hike	Taramea / Howells Point	An area that offers opportunities for hiking, fishing and picnicking.
20th	Hike	Te Wai Korari Wetland Reserve	A hike through the Te Wai Korari Wetland Reserve .

Invercargill and Bluff

The Southern Scenic Route connects Riverton with Invercargill on this section , makes a detour to Bluff and then continues from Invercargill on the Gorge Road-Invercargill Highway towards Balclutha . In addition to sights in and around Invercargill and Bluff, a detour to Stewart Island is recommended (see detour ).

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Sightseeing location	Invercargill Water Tower	The 40 meter high historic water tower was completed in 1889 and offers a good view of Invercargill.
2	Hike location	Thomson's Bush	A former marshland that offers hiking and picnic opportunities.
3	Hike location	Waihopai Walkway	A hike along the Waihopai River .
4th	Sightseeing	Anderson Park Art Gallery	The Anderson Park Art Gallery is an art collection housed in a Georgian-style property.
5	Sight / hike location	Sandy Point / Oue	An area that offers various possibilities for excursions and hikes.
6th	Beach location	Oreti Beach	The 30 km long Oreti Beach is part of a route to Riverton that was formerly used by Maori .
7th	Hike location	Greenpoint Reserve	A hike that is designed as a nature trail.
8th	Sight / hike	Bluff Hill / Motupohue and Stirling Point	The Bluff Hill has special cultural significance for Maori, and can be accessed by different trails.
9	Sight / hike	Waituna Wetlands	The Waituna Wetlands is a significant area for various bird, fish and plant species.

The Catlins

A longer section of the route leads along the coast through the Catlins to Balclutha . In this section, waterfalls, beaches and bays particularly characterize the stops on the route.

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Sightseeing location	Waipapa Point	Waipapa Point is a rocky cape with a lighthouse. In 1881 the steamship Tararua capsized here . With 131 fatalities, this was the worst disaster for civil shipping in New Zealand to date.
2	Sightseeing location	Tararua Acre Cemetery	Many of the victims of the shipwreck at Waipapa Point are buried in Tararua Acre Cemetery.
3	Sightseeing location	Slope Point	The Slope Point is the southernmost point of the New Zealand South Island .
4th	Sight / hike location	Waipohatu Recreation Area	The Waipohatu Rectreation Area is a forest area that offers various hiking opportunities.
5	bay location	Curio Bay / Tumu Toka and Porpoise Bay	Curio Bay is a cove with a petrified forest that is accessible at low tide. The nearby Porpoise Bay is a popular seaside resort.
6th	Sightseeing location	Waikawa	Waikawa is a small port town with a settler museum and the starting point for various hikes in the area.
7th	waterfall	Niagara Falls / Manga Piri	A small waterfall named after the American Niagara Falls .
8th	waterfall	McLean Falls	The McLean Falls are 22 meters high and are located on the Tautuku River .
9	cave location	Cathedral Caves	The Cathedral Caves are a series of touristically developed coastal caves up to 30 meters high.
10	Sight / hike	Lenz reserve	The Lenz Reserve is a nature reserve that offers various options for hiking.
11	Hike location	Tautuku Estuary Boardwalk	A hiking trail of around 30 minutes, some of which is laid out as a wooden walkway.
12	lake location	Lake Wilkie	Near Lake Wilkie there is a nature trail that describes the progress of the siltation .
13	bay location	Tautuku Bay	Tautuku Bay is a bay that borders the Tautuku Peninsula in the west. There was a whaling station there in the 1830s and 1840s.
14th	Lookout point location	Florence Hill Lookout	A vantage point from which Tautuku Bay and the Tautuku Peninsula can be seen.
15th	Hike	Coastal Walking Tracks	The Papatowai Scenic Reserve offers various hiking trails as well as wildlife viewing opportunities.
16	Hike	Old Coach Road	A 40 minute hike along Old Coach Road , which starts at the Tahakopa River Bridge.
17th	waterfall	Matai Falls	The Matai Falls are a 10 meter high waterfall on the Matai Stream in Catlins Forest Park .
18th	waterfall location	Purakaunui Falls	The Purakanui Falls are located on the Purakanui River and are 20 meters high. They are considered the symbol of the Catlins.
19th	Hike	Catlins River Walk	A hike that runs along the Purakanui River and includes numerous river crossings on suspension bridges .
20th	Sightseeing location	Jack's blowhole	A 55 meter deep blowhole named after a former Maori chief .
21st	Hike	Pounawea Bush Walk Track	A hike of around 45 minutes, including a salt marsh .
22nd	Sight / hike location	Surat Bay Wildlife Walk	Surat Bay is a popular stopover for New Zealand sea lions that can be seen here.
23	Sightseeing	Tunnel Hill	A former railway tunnel that was built between 1891 and 1892.
24	Sightseeing location	Roaring Bay	In addition to various seabirds, you can also watch New Zealand fur seals and yellow-eyed penguins in Roaring Bay .
25th	Sightseeing location	Nugget Point / Tokata Lighthouse	The Cape Nugget Point is home to numerous sea birds and a large colony of New Zealand fur seals. The existing lighthouse of the same name was completed in 1869.
26th	Hike location	Kaka Point Bush Walk	About a 30 minute hike that starts near Kaka Point.
27	Hike	Awakiki track	A 40 minute hike through the Awakiki Reserve .

Balclutha

The course of the route leads on this section coming from the coast via Balclutha to Milton and from there taking the coastal road again to Dunedin . Historical sights, special points in nature, as well as hiking opportunities can be found on this section.

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Hike location	Naish Park / Blair Athol Walkway	About a two hour hike along the Clutha River . The starting point is the Naish Park in Balclutha.
2	Sightseeing	Sod Cottage	The Sod Cottage is a 1860-built, former truck stop for prospectors. In 1970 it was reopened for tourism.
3	Sightseeing location	Milburn Limeworks	The Milburn limestone quarry contains fossils that can be viewed.
4th	Sight / hike location	Sinclair Wetlands / Te Nohoaka a Tukiauau	The 315-hectare wetland Sinclair Wetlands can using the Clarendon / Berwick Road can be achieved.
5	Hike location	Picnic Gully Track	A 45 minute hike that starts near the mouth of the Taieri River .
6th	Hike location	Taieri River and Millenium Tracks	Walk along the river starting from the mouth of the Taieri River.

Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

The end of the Southern Scenic Route is in Dunedin . Sights in and around Dunedin, as well as on the nearby Otago Peninsula, can be reached through the route.

	Type and location	designation	description	image
1	Beach / hike location	Tunnel Beach Track	Tunnel Beach is a beach enclosed by sandstone rocks , which can be reached after crossing the eponymous tunnel.
2	Sightseeing location	Dunedin Botanic Garden	Opened in 1869, the Dunedin Botanical Garden is New Zealand's oldest.
3	Beach / attraction location	St Clair	The suburb of St Clair and the beach of the same name are located near the center of Dunedin. The beach is a popular surfing spot .
4th	bay location	Sandfly Bay	Sandfly Bay, located on the Otago Peninsula, is home to a small population of yellow-eyed penguins that can be observed from a shelter.
5	Hike location	Sandymount	At the end of Sandymount Road there is an approximately one hour circular walk that offers views of the peninsula's coastline.
6th	Beach location	Allan's Beach	Allan's Beach, accessible from Allans Beach Road, is home to New Zealand sea lions and yellow-eyed penguins .
7th	Hike location	Heyward Point Track	The Heyward Point Track is an approximately two-hour coastal hiking trail that can be started from Aramoana Road and Heyward Point Road .
8th	Hike location	Outram Glen to Lee Stream Walk	A hike of around three hours along the Taieri River .

Detour

Fiordland National Park can be driven through to Milford Sound via Milford Road ( State Highway 94 ) . This route is not a numbered stop on the Southern Scenic Route, but is included in the official brochure as a recommendation. The same applies to the Rakiura National Park on Stewart Island , the third largest island in New Zealand, which can be reached by ferry from Bluff .

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  Stewart Island

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  Miter Peak on Milford Sound

literature

• Southern Scenic Route Official Guide, Southern Scenic Route Steering Group

Web links

• Southern Scenic Route Official Website

Individual evidence

1. ^ Julie Walls (ed) Southern Scenic Route Visitor Publication 7ed, Focus Publications, Te Anau, November 2006
2. ↑ 'Ecosanctuary ticks the top option' on blueskin.co.nz, accessed January 14, 2014
3. ^ 'Blueskin Road proposed for Scenic Highway' on blueskin.co.nz, accessed November 19, 2007
4. ^ David Kaufman : World's top emerging travel destinations . The Sydney Morning Herald , December 2, 2008, archived from the original on December 6, 2008 ; accessed on May 4, 2018 (English, original website no longer available).  
5. ↑ Dunedin Botanic Garden: Official Website (English)