Te Anau - Invercargill

Lake Hauroko

Lake Hauroko at 462m is New Zealand's deepest lake and is one of the ten deepest in the world. The road follows a relatively straight valley before crossing over the Kaherekoau mountains. The scenic look out provides a spectacular vista of the lake and dense Fiordland rainforest.

Te Waewae Bay

Another good detour is to pop down to Te Waewae Bay. Turn off at Tuatapere, the road passes through farmland nestled between the stoney bed of the Waiau River and the lush Rowallan Forest. Huge southern ocean swells come pounding in, unopposed all the way from Antarctica, smashing their watery bulk against the clawed battered coastline.. Colac Bay just outside Riverton is another great place to stop and watch huge ocean swells. There's some excellent surfing, as long as you don't mind the chilly water!!

Invercargill

Invercargill like much of the south of the South Island was settled by large numbers of Scots. It was named after Captain Cargill who was the superintendent of the province. Inver is a Scottish term meaning estuary. Many of the towns main streets are named after Scottish rivers. Invercargill is also the gateway to Stewart Island, New Zealand's third largest.

Stewart Island

It has two Maori names, Rakiura meaning 'glowing sky' and Te Puka-o-te-waka-a-Maui, meaning the anchor of Maui's waka. There are very few roads on Stewart Island making the thickly forest clad hills, and rocky bush lined shore a nature lovers getaway. Ferries to Stewart Island depart daily from Bluff.

Bluff

Bluff is world famous in New Zealand for it's oysters, the big fat juicy molluscs are dredged up from the Foveaux Strait for a limited season sending oyster lovers through out the country into a frenzy trying to get their hands on this much sought after delicacy. Check out the Bluff oyster and seafood festival 22nd and 23rd April 06.

Did you know?

The Hoiho or yellow eyed penguin live predominantly along the South Islands South East corner, Stewart Island and Antarctica. There are thought to be around 1800 breeding pairs in survival, around 1,200 in Antarctica, the balance in NZ. The Hoiho are great swimmers and have been known to travel up to 15km offshore. The best time to see the penguins is in the morning at dawn when they leave their burrows and again in the evening, from 3pm onwards, when they return. They are extremely shy and if spooked may freeze or return to the sea. There are a number of observation hides along the coast which are recommended as the best place to view.