Te Anau to Invercargill, the Catlins and Dunedin by Campervan
Quick summary: This is the deep south of New Zealand by campervan or motorhome, following the Southern Scenic Route from the edge of Fiordland to the southern coast, through Invercargill and Bluff, then into the Catlins, a remote, forested coast of waterfalls, lighthouses, sea lions and penguins. It is around 430 km from Te Anau to Dunedin, and it is one of the least crowded and most memorable drives in the country. Give it three to four days.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Start and end | Te Anau to Dunedin via Tuatapere, Invercargill and the Catlins |
| Distance | Around 430 km (Te Anau to Invercargill around 185 km via Tuatapere; Invercargill to Dunedin around 245 km via the Catlins) |
| Pure driving time | Around 6 hr |
| Recommended time | 3–4 days |
| Road character | Sealed main route; quiet and winding through the Catlins, with some unsealed side roads |
| Key stops | Manapouri, Clifden Suspension Bridge, Tuatapere, Gemstone Beach, Riverton, Invercargill, Bluff, Waipapa Point, Slope Point, Curio Bay, McLean Falls, Purakaunui Falls, Nugget Point, Kaka Point |
| Overnight options | Holiday parks in Tuatapere, Riverton, Invercargill and the Catlins; DOC and community campsites along the coast |
| Nearest pickup city | Dunedin |
| Best for | Wildlife, waterfalls, wild beaches and getting off the beaten track |
Why is the deep south worth the detour?
Because it is the part of the South Island that most travellers miss, and it holds experiences you can’t have anywhere else. In the Catlins you can watch yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at Curio Bay, beside a petrified forest more than 170 million years old. You can walk to waterfalls in silent podocarp forest, see sea lions sprawled on the beach at Surat Bay, and stand at the South Island’s southernmost point at Slope Point.
The roads are quiet, the towns are small and friendly, and the landscape, rolling green farmland meeting rugged cliffs and windswept beaches, has a beauty all its own.
What are the best stops between Te Anau and Invercargill?
| Stop | Distance from Te Anau | Time to allow | Campervan notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manapouri | Around 20 km | 30 min to a day | Lakeside village; departure point for Doubtful Sound |
| Clifden Suspension Bridge | Around 85 km | 15 min | Historic suspension bridge over the Waiau River |
| Tuatapere | Around 100 km | 30 min | Sausage capital; gateway to the Hump Ridge Track |
| McCracken’s Rest | Around 120 km | 15 min | Lookout over Te Waewae Bay; Hector’s dolphins sometimes seen |
| Gemstone Beach (Orepuki) | Around 135 km | 30 min | Beach where semi-precious stones wash up |
| Riverton/Aparima | Around 155 km | 1 hour | Historic fishing town with a giant pāua shell |
| Invercargill | Around 185 km | Half a day | Southland’s city, full services |
| Bluff | Around 210 km (detour) | 1–2 hours | Stirling Point signpost, oysters, Stewart Island ferry |
Manapouri and the Southern Scenic Route
Manapouri, on the shore of the beautiful island-studded Lake Manapouri, is where Doubtful Sound tours begin. From here the Southern Scenic Route heads south through farmland to Clifden, with its historic suspension bridge, and to the small town of Tuatapere.
Te Waewae Bay and Riverton
Beyond Tuatapere, the road meets the coast at Te Waewae Bay, a vast sweep of beach facing the Southern Ocean. Look for wind-sculpted macrocarpa trees bent almost horizontal by the westerly gales. At Gemstone Beach, near Orepuki, beachcombers search for garnets, jasper and other semi-precious stones. Riverton, one of New Zealand’s oldest European settlements, is a pretty fishing town at the mouth of the Aparima River.
Invercargill and Bluff
Invercargill is a wide-streeted, friendly city with excellent motoring and transport museums, a large central park and a strong connection to Burt Munro, the motorcycle legend whose story became a celebrated film. Bluff, around 27 km south, is famous for its oysters and the Stirling Point signpost, often considered the end of State Highway 1. From Bluff, passenger ferries cross Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island/Rakiura, a superb day trip for seeing kiwi country and native birds.
What are the best stops in the Catlins?
| Stop | Distance from Invercargill | Time to allow | Campervan notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waipapa Point lighthouse | Around 60 km | 30 min | Lighthouse and sea lions on the beach |
| Slope Point | Around 75 km | 30 min | South Island’s southernmost point; short farmland walk |
| Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay | Around 85 km | Half a day to overnight | Petrified forest, penguins, Hector’s dolphins |
| McLean Falls | Around 105 km | 1 hour | One of the Catlins’ finest waterfalls |
| Cathedral Caves | Around 110 km | 1–2 hours | Huge sea caves, accessible around low tide |
| Florence Hill Lookout | Around 120 km | 15 min | View over Tautuku Bay |
| Purakaunui Falls | Around 140 km | 30 min | Classic three-tiered waterfall |
| Owaka | Around 155 km | 30 min | Small town with services |
| Surat Bay and Cannibal Bay | Around 160 km | 1 hour | Sea lions on the beach |
| Nugget Point/Tokatā | Around 180 km | 1 hour | Lighthouse above rocky islets |
| Kaka Point | Around 185 km | 30 min | Seaside village and beach |
| Balclutha | Around 165–200 km | 15 min | Junction town; join State Highway 1 to Dunedin |
| Dunedin | Around 245 km | 1–2 days | Full services; Otago Peninsula |
Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay
At Curio Bay, the fossilised stumps and logs of a Jurassic forest are exposed on the rock platform at low tide. Yellow-eyed penguins often come ashore here in the late afternoon; watch quietly from a distance. Next door, Porpoise Bay is a sweeping surf beach where rare Hector’s dolphins are often seen close to shore.
The Catlins waterfalls
The Catlins forests hide some of New Zealand’s loveliest waterfalls. McLean Falls is a 22 m cascade reached by a forest walk of about 40 minutes return. Purakaunui Falls, a three-tiered fall framed by beech and podocarp, is an easy 20-minute return walk and one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country.
Cathedral Caves
Cathedral Caves are a pair of enormous sea caves, more than 30 m high, on Waipati Beach. They are accessible only for a period around low tide, and access is managed by the local landowners, so check before you go.
Nugget Point/Tokatā
At the northern end of the Catlins, a short clifftop walk leads to the Nugget Point lighthouse, perched above a scatter of rocky islets in the sea. Fur seals, sea lions and seabirds are often seen below, and the view at sunrise is spectacular.
What tours and experiences are available along this route?
- Doubtful Sound tours from Manapouri. Full-day trips cross Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass to cruise Doubtful Sound, one of Fiordland’s largest and wildest fiords.
- Stewart Island/Rakiura day trips by passenger ferry from Bluff, with guided walks, Ulva Island bird sanctuary trips and wildlife cruises.
- Guided wildlife tours in the Catlins, focusing on penguins, sea lions, dolphins and native forest birds.
- Surfing lessons at Porpoise Bay.
- Museum visits in Invercargill, including classic cars, trucks and motorcycles.
- Oyster tasting in Bluff, when Bluff oysters are in season.
Where can you stay overnight on this route?
- Holiday parks in Tuatapere, Riverton, Invercargill, Curio Bay, Owaka and Kaka Point.
- DOC and community campsites along the coast, some in sheltered bush and some beside the beach.
- Curio Bay has a beachside campground that makes a superb base for watching penguins and dolphins.
- Freedom camping in a certified self-contained vehicle is available at some spots where permitted; check locally and see our freedom camping guide.
What are the driving conditions like?
The Southern Scenic Route is sealed throughout, quiet and easy to drive, with some winding sections through the hills and forest of the Catlins. Many of the best stops, including Slope Point, Cathedral Caves and parts of the road to Nugget Point, are reached by short side roads, some of which are unsealed or narrow; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.
The deep south is exposed to strong westerly winds and changeable weather, so be prepared for wind and rain at any time of year.
Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?
Te Anau, Invercargill and Balclutha have supermarkets, fuel and dump stations. In the Catlins, Owaka has the main services, with very little in between. Fill up in Invercargill before heading into the Catlins. See our dump stations and water guide.
How long should you spend on this route?
- Day 1: Te Anau to Riverton or Invercargill, around 155–185 km, via the Southern Scenic Route.
- Day 2: Bluff in the morning, then into the Catlins via Waipapa Point and Slope Point to Curio Bay. Watch for penguins in the evening.
- Day 3: McLean Falls, Cathedral Caves at low tide and Purakaunui Falls, then on to Owaka or Kaka Point.
- Day 4: Nugget Point at sunrise, then on to Dunedin, around 80 km from Balclutha.
Are the Catlins too remote for an RV trip?
No. The main Southern Scenic Route through the Catlins is sealed and quiet, and holiday parks and campsites are spread along the coast. The only real adjustment is planning: fill up with fuel, food and water in Invercargill or Balclutha, as Owaka is the only town with services in between.
Which routes connect to this leg?
- Before: Fiordland and Milford Sound, ending in Te Anau.
- Next: Dunedin, then north on the Canterbury and Otago coast or inland on the Central Otago route.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dunedin is around 430 km from Te Anau via the Southern Scenic Route, Invercargill and the Catlins, about 6 hours of driving without stops. Most travellers take three to four days.
The Southern Scenic Route is a touring route linking Te Anau, the south coast, Invercargill, the Catlins and Dunedin, passing through some of New Zealand’s least crowded and most scenic country.
Yellow-eyed penguins often come ashore at Curio Bay in the late afternoon. Watch quietly from a distance and follow any local guidance to avoid disturbing them.
Cathedral Caves are accessible only for a period around low tide, and access is managed locally. Check tide times and access information before you go.
Yes. The main Southern Scenic Route through the Catlins is sealed and quiet, though winding. Some side roads to attractions such as Slope Point are narrow or unsealed, so check your rental terms.
Slope Point in the Catlins is the southernmost point of the South Island, reached by a short walk across farmland from a small car park.
Vehicles stay on the mainland. Leave the motorhome in Bluff and take the passenger ferry across Foveaux Strait for a day trip or overnight stay.