New Zealand · 7 days · 700 km · One-way
Southern Scenic Route — Queenstown to Dunedin via wild coast
The less touristy southern route. Queenstown, Te Anau, Manapouri (Doubtful Sound), Riverton, Bluff (end of SH1), optional Stewart Island, Catlins (Nugget Point), Dunedin. Yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions, rocky coast.
Highlights
- Te Anau Glow Worms
- Doubtful Sound (quieter than Milford)
- Riverton oysters
- Bluff (SH1 km 0)
- Curio Bay (dolphins)
- Cathedral Caves
- Nugget Point Lighthouse
- Otago Peninsula albatross
Day-by-day itinerary
-
Day 1
Queenstown → Te Anau
Queenstown → Te Anau · 170 km
Overnight: Te Anau TOP 10
-
Day 2
Te Anau → Doubtful Sound + Manapouri
Te Anau → Manapouri · 50 km
Overnight: Manapouri Motels & Holiday Park
-
Day 3
Manapouri → Riverton → Invercargill
Manapouri → Invercargill · 200 km
Overnight: Invercargill Beach Road Motel
-
Day 4
Invercargill → Bluff → Curio Bay
Invercargill → Curio Bay · 130 km
Overnight: Curio Bay Camping Ground
-
Day 5
Curio Bay → Catlins → Owaka
Curio Bay → Owaka · 100 km
Overnight: Pounawea Motor Camp
-
Day 6
Owaka → Nugget Point → Dunedin
Owaka → Dunedin · 130 km
Overnight: Dunedin Holiday Park
-
Day 7
Otago Peninsula → Dunedin drop-off
Dunedin · 80 km
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.