Starting in Dunedin, the 600 km Southern Scenic Route passes through the wild and rugged Catlins, up to Invercargill (with a short detour to Bluff) and then up to Te Anau and Milford Sound and finally ending in Queenstown.
Labelled as “one of the world’s great undiscovered drives” you should allow between 4-7 days for the Southern Scenic Route.
Two of my favorite parts of the South Island of New Zealand are the start and end points of this road trip – Dunedin and Queenstown. And in fact, one of the best things I’ve done during my time living in New Zealand was to drive the Southern Scenic route from Dunedin to Queenstown. It’s such a stunning drive and takes in popular tourist sights like Milford Sound as well as hidden gem places like the Catlins and Bluff. You’ll also spy heaps of unique wildlife along the way like rare yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) and New Zealand fur seals.
FYI, you can do this road trip in reverse if you wish – starting in Queenstown and ending in Dunedin.
What is the Southern Scenic Route?
The Southern Scenic Route takes you through the wildlife-rich Otago Peninsula, the off-the-beaten-path Catlins, Te Anau and Milford Sound. You can either start the road trip in Dunedin or Queenstown (we recommend Dunedin). It’s a whopping 600 km long, which without stops would take around 10 hours – but we definitely don’t advise this. In fact, we recommend allowing a week to complete this gorgeous drive.
Stop off and spend some nights along the way in Dunedin, Curio Bay, Invercargill and Te Anau.
Top Tip: If you’re going to rent a car in New Zealand, we highly recommend Discover Cars. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars when we’re traveling. It is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
Best stops on the Southern Scenic Route
The Southern Scenic Route truly does capture the essence of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes. The Catlins are a hidden gem and one of our favorite parts of New Zealand. It’s home to the very photogenic Nugget Point Lighthouse and Purakaunui Falls which looks like something from a postcard!
Invercargill might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of epic places to stop off at along the way, but there’s a super interesting automotive museum here and some great beaches (like Oreti Beach) nearby!
You’ll also get to visit visit Te Anau, aka, the gateway to Fiordland National Park, where you can join a cruise through the awe-inspiring Milford Sound or explore the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
And your last stop, Queenstown is the place to be for thrill-seekers. Whether it’s bungee jumping or just enjoying the local cuisine, there’s so much to do there.
Related Read: This is classed as one of the BEST Campervan Road Trips in New Zealand!
Dunedin
You’ll start this Southern Scenic Route road trip in Dunedin, the second-biggest city on the South Island and one that’s known for its Scottish Heritage. Interestingly, the name comes from the Gaelic word ‘Dùn Èideann’ means “castle on the rock” and it was named after Edinburgh in Scotland.
The best example of the city’s Scottish Heritage is Larnach Castle – which is around a 20-minute drive from the city center and well-worth a visit. Entrance costs $45 NZD per person. You could also check out the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, which tells the compelling stories of Dunedin’s past including why Scottish Presbyterians settled in the city.
Some other places we loved wandering around in Dunedin include the stunning Dunedin Railway Station, a true gem of Edwardian Baroque architecture that will leave you in awe and the Dunedin Botanic Garden (the oldest in the country). We also spent an hour or so in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. Here you’ll find a fantastic collection of both New Zealand and international masterpieces.
While you’re here, be sure to check out Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world! It’s perfect for a fun photo op and it’s a bit of a challenge to walk to the top. I always wonder what it’s like for the people living here – the must have very toned legs!
A great spot for food is St Clair Beach as there are a couple of beachfront restaurants here. And afterward you can go onto the beach to see sea lions.
Below, I’ve listed some other stunning spots that are a longer drive from the city center. But, well worth visiting along the Southern Scenic Route.
Royal Albatross Centre
This is the the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world. Here, you can see these magnificent birds up close. Did you know, they boast the largest wingspan of any living bird (reaching up to 3.3 meters)? You can join a guided tour here that will provide you with fascinating insights into the life and conservation efforts surrounding the royal albatross.
Beyond albatross, the area is rich in biodiversity, home to other wildlife such as fur seals, sea lions, and various seabirds.
The Royal Albatross Centre is around a 40-minute drive from Dunedin.
Tunnel Beach
This natural wonder (just a 10-minute drive from Dunedin) features a hand-carved tunnel from the 1870s, commissioned by local politician John Cargill for his family. This tunnel provides access to a secluded beach with striking rock formations and sea-carved sandstone cliffs.
Although Tunnel Beach is not suitable for swimming due to its strong currents, the spectacular scenery and unique geological features make it a must-visit location, especially during low tide when the tunnel is accessible.
Sandfly Bay
This stunning and secluded beach is renowned for its sweeping golden sands and dramatic dunes. Plus, it’s a haven for wildlife enthusiasts as this picturesque bay is home to a variety of native species, including the rare yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) and New Zealand fur seals.
Sandfly Bay is accessible via a scenic but steep walking track that will take around 15-minutes each-way. While its name might suggest an abundance of sandflies, it is actually derived from the sand-blown nature of the area.
Where to stay in Dunedin:
We recommend spending a minimum of two nights in Dunedin, so that you can tick off the city’s top attractions (like Baldwin Street and the Dunedin Railway Station) as well as drive out to further afield spots like the Royal Albatross Centre.
We really enjoyed our stay at the Highland House Boutique Hotel, a 4-star small hotel that’s around 2 km from the city center. It’s a heritage-style building and our room was clean and comfortable. It’s also very reasonably priced for Dunedin, with rates starting from $140 NZD for a double room.
The Catlins
The beautiful and wild Catlins is one of my favorite parts of New Zealand. That’s because it’s typically tourist-free and is home to some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful scenery, like Purakaunui Falls and Cathedral Caves.
It’s around a 1.5-hour drive from Dunedin to your first stop in the Catlins – Nugget Point Lighthouse. Below, I’ve detailed all about the lighthouse as well as several other must-see stops in the Catlins!
Nugget Point Lighthouse
Nugget Point Lighthouse is one of my favorite stops on this roadtrip as it’s so photogenic. It’s one of the most recognizable lighthouses in New Zealand.
The lighthouse offers breathtaking panoramic views of the rugged coastline, dotted with rocky islets known as “The Nuggets,” which gave the area its name. Built in 1869, this historic lighthouse has guided countless ships safely through the perilous waters of the South Pacific Ocean. The surrounding area is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering the chance to spot fur seals, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds, including the rare yellow-eyed penguin
Purakaunui Falls
This three-tiered cascading waterfall is certainly a ‘sight for sore eyes’ as the saying goes. And it actually look its most impressive after a heavy rainfall – which is when we visited.
From the carpark it’s an easy 20 minute walk to the viewing platform for the falls. The track is flat and wide and is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Cathedral Caves
Cathedral Caves is a gorgeous, hidden beach that’s accessible via a 20-minute-long native forest trail. The selling point of this beach are the sea caves which are only accessible at low tide so be sure to check the tide times beforehand. They do have the tide times displayed at the entrance to the car park.
I felt at peace here, maybe that’s because the Cathedral Caves are a sacred place to Maoris.
You will need to pay a $10 NZD entrance fee payable at the gate per car.
Curio Bay
Curio Bay is renowned for its 170-million-year-old petrified forest, where visitors can walk among the fossilized remnants of ancient trees that have been preserved in stone. Curio Bay is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as it is home to the rare and endangered yellow-eyed penguins, or hoiho, which can often be seen nesting along the coast. Additionally, you may spy dolphins and fur seals in the ocean here.
McLean Falls
This stunning waterfall, one of the tallest in the region, cascades down a series of steep, moss-covered rocks and plunges approximately 22 meters. Accessible via a scenic walking track, the short hike through lush native bush offers an immersive experience, with the sounds of native birds and the tranquil ambiance of the forest enhancing the journey. The falls are part of the Tautuku River and are especially impressive after a rainfall.
Slope Point
Slope Point is the southernmost point of the South Island of New Zealand, renowned for its dramatic and windswept landscapes.
The area’s unique environment is shaped by fierce Antarctic winds that have sculpted the trees into striking, horizontal forms, giving Slope Point its distinctive and otherworldly appearance. Although there are no permanent human settlements at Slope Point, it is accessible via a short walk through private farmland, and visitors are often greeted by a signpost indicating the distance to the Equator and the South Pole, emphasizing its position at the edge of the world.
Where to stay in the Catlins:
We recommend staying at the campsite at Curio Bay or at the Whistling Frog Resort near Cathedral Caves. This popular spot has camp sites, and rooms which are set within small bungalows. There’s a bar and restaurant on-site, too.
Invercargill
Invercargill is the most Southerly city in New Zealand and the third biggest on the South Island. There’s loads to do here from wandering through Queens Park a large park that’s a short walk from the city center. Here, you’ll find an animal park, kids playground, aviary and gorgeous, lush gardens.
Another popular tourist site is Bill Richardson’s Transport World a big car museum located on Tay Street.
While staying in the city you should alsp drive out to Oreti Beach. A massive 26-km-long beach that was the training ground for the legendary motorcyclist Burt Munro, whose record-breaking speed achievements were portrayed in the film “The World’s Fastest Indian.”
You can also drive on Oreti Beach in fact, it’s one of the only beaches in New Zealand that you can drive on!
Where to stay in Invercargill:
The Kelvin Hotel is a great option in the city, this 3-star property is located in the city center. And the rooms are spacious and modern. There’s also a bar and restaurant on-site. Rooms here start from $90 NZD per night.
Bluff
Bluff, a short 25-minute drive from Invercargill, will be a quick detour off the Southern Scenic Route but we reckon it’s worth a visit. It’s from here that you can catch a boat across to Stewart Island (if you have time) but the area is perhaps most famous for is its Bluff oysters, considered a delicacy in New Zealand and celebrated annually at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival.
Some important sights here include the Stirling Point signpost, and Bluff Hill, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Interestingly, Bluff is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand.
You can also go shark cage diving here in Bluff (the season starts in December and runs until the end of February).
Te Anau
Just over a 2 hour drive from Bluff is the gorgeous small town of Te Anau which is famous for being the gateway to Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound (more on that below).
But, in the town itself, a must-do activity is exploring the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Here you can marvel at the twinkling glowworms in a unique underground setting. For those who love hiking, the Kepler Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. It offers incredible views and diverse landscapes. Additionally, taking a scenic cruise on Lake Te Anau is the perfect way to appreciate the stunning natural secnery here.
I’ll also add that the restaurant options in Te Anau are surprisingly good. We loved Paradiso Pizzeria, an authentic Italian with excellent wood-fired pizzas. We also loved Bao Now a food-truck serving delicious Vietnamese fare.
Where to stay in Te Anau:
We stayed at and loved the Kingsgate Hotel and it’s lakefront location was perfect for us. Walking up to Lake Te Anau every morning was bliss! The rooms are comfortable and modern, the on-site restaurant (Jimmy Cooks) is great and, free parking is offered too. It ticked all the boxes for us. Expect to pay around $149 NZD per room per night here!
If you’re on a budget, consider Te Anau Lakefront Backpackers. It;s conveniently located smack-bang in the middle of Te Anau CBD, this hostel offers private rooms or a bed in a dorm. Expect to pay around $40 NZD for a bed in a dorm here.
The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound:
The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound is 118 kilometers, which means the drive will take you around 1.5 hours without stops! But not stopping would be a real shame, considering this drive is regarded as one of the prettiest road trips in the world. I advise allowing half a day to see all the sights I’ve listed below.
- Eglinton Valley – About 40 minutes from Te Anau, you will find the very photogenic Eglinton Valley. This valley was carved out by glaciers thousands of years ago. Today, steep rocky mountains covered in native beech forest line the valley. The flat floor of the valley is covered in luminous golden tussock grass.
- Mirror Lakes – The aptly named Mirror Lakes gets its name from the mirror effect on the lake on a calm day – yep, on a still day, the surrounding Earl Mountains will be reflected on the surface of the lake. So photogenic!
- Homer Tunnel – The famous Homer Tunnel on the Milford road signals the start of your descent through the Cleddau Valley & into Milford Sound. The scenery before you enter the tunnel is gorgeous, especially on a rainy day, with lots of narrow waterfalls cascading from the surrounding cliffs.
- The Chasm – The Chasm is a huge waterfall. Honestly, the amount of water that gushes off this steep waterfall is mindblowing – and it’s especially fierce after rainfall! It’s around a 20-minute stroll into the falls, and there are two bridges at the end, which give you the best view of the falls!
Milford Sound
In Milford Sound, you SHOULD take a cruise to witness the grandeur of Mitre Peak and the abundant wildlife like Fiordland penguins and seals. These cruises are typically around 3 hours long. Some of my other favorite things to do here include walking the Foreshore Walk and checking out the oh-so-photogenic Milford Swing.
Go on a cruise
Of course, the number one thing to do in Milford Sound is to go on a boat cruise to explore the fiords and get up close to the waterfalls and wildlife here. When we visited, we were keen for a more personalized experience, so we booked this small boutique cruise experience. Operated by Cruise Milford, this boutique boat has a maximum capacity of 75 guests. Meaning you’re getting a less-crowded and more personalized experience. A win-win in the most-visited part of the country!
We were lucky as there were only 30 people on our cruise. Bliss! The smaller boat can get up close and personal with the waterfalls as well as Milford’s famous seal residents. It’s also an hour and 45 minute long cruise, in comparison to the 90-minute cruise time of most other operators.
As you cruise through the almost-black waters of the sound, your local skipper will detail the history of the area and point out any sights or wildlife (like penguins or seals) he spots along the way!
Tickets for this boutique cruise are $169 NZD per person, and included is free tea, coffee and, biscuits on-board!
Visit the Milford Sound Swing
Ah, the Milford Sound swing – you’ve probably seen the gorgeous photos on your Instagram feed. That’s how I first came across it. The Milford Sound swing has the most epic view of Mitre Peak and the surrounding Milford landscape.
Did you know the Milford Sound swing is actually quite hard to find? It’s not signposted or anything. I guess the locals want to keep it a secret. The story goes that a local worker made this swing for his girlfriend so she could enjoy it on her days off. Now, that’s pretty sweet!
To help you out, I’ve written a detailed guide on how to find the Milford Sound Swing!
Walk the Foreshore Walk
We recommend walking the Foreshore Walk before or after your boat cruise; it’s only 400 meters long and will take just 15 minutes to complete. And it boasts some great photo opportunities of Mitre Peak! It’s typically uncrowded too as most tourists just come here to do a boat cruise and leave!
Queenstown
To get to Queenstown from Milford Sound, you’ll have to drive back to Te Anau. All in, the drive is around 4 hours long (287 km). But, you can stop in places like Garston and Kingston to break up the journey.
As you know, your last stop on this road trip – Queenstown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. Attracting over 350,000 tourists each year. This lakeside town will make your jaw drop on every turn with snow-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes to be seen all-around!
I recommend allowing at least 3 days in Queenstown, so that you can tick off all the amazing things that there’s to do here. I’ve listed a couple of my favorite Queenstown activities below to help you plan your itinerary for here.
- Paragliding at Bob’s Peak – If you’re an adventure nut, why not indulge in some paragliding. Yep, you can go paragliding from the top of Bob’s Peak – how cool! This tandem paragliding experience takes 1.5 hours all in, and costs from $339 NZD. It’s very well-rated and so safe!
- Go Kayaking at Moke Lake – It’s so peaceful at this scenic lake, which is around a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. And the water is usually super calm, so it’s an easy task if you’ve never kayaked before. If you don’t have a kayak with you (I mean, they’re a bit bulky for hand luggage) – you can book this 3-hour kayaking tour, which includes pick-up and drop-off from Queenstown! It includes all your equipment (kayak, helmet, life jacket) and costs $169 NZD.
- Go jetboating on the Shotover River – The world-famous Shotover Jet is a must-do thing in Queenstown! Sure, it’s very fast-paced, and you’ll get wet, but you’ll also get to see some awesome scenery (when you’re going slow, that is). Your experienced driver will do everything he can to get your heart pounding – think 360-degree spins and driving at speeds of 90 km/ph! The Shotover Jet costs from $173 NZD per person.
- Go on a helicopter ride – Imagine seeing the beauty of Queenstown from high above. A scenic helicopter tour with an alpine landing is top of most people’s Queenstown bucket list and for good reason! On this 50 minute flight, you’ll soar over Queenstown, Mt Aspiring National Park and, Skippers Canyon. It’s spenny at $703 NZD per person but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Where to stay in Queenstown:
- Sherwood – Situated in Frankton, around a 20-minute walk into Queenstown, is the very cool Sherwood Queenstown. We actually stayed here twice and loved its cozy boho decor. And it’s actually one of the most sustainable hotels in the world! Again, it boasts spectacular lake views and the rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable. The on-site restaurant is excellent and is a local favorite! A room here costs around $240 NZD per night.
- Ramada Queenstown Central – If you’re looking for a reasonably priced hotel in downtown Queenstown look no further than the Ramada Queenstown Central, which has rooms starting from $200 NZD. The rooms here are stylish and sleek and some offer views of the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and Kelvin Heights Peninsula. The hotel only opened in 2020 so it’s very modern both inside and outside. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
Final thoughts on the Southern Scenic Route!
It’s easy to see why a road trip from Dunedin to Queenstown via the Southern Scenic Route is one of the best and most popular things to do on the South Island. I mean, not only are there lots of amazing activities to enjoy but there are scenic views, wild, quiet beaches and the chance to spot unique wildlife.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope this guide has helped you plan the perfect road trip between Dunedin and Queenstown.
You may also enjoy reading –
19 Most Amazing Things to Do in Queenstown in the Summer (A Unique List)
48 Hours in Queenstown (A Fun Two-Day Queenstown Itinerary)
5 Best Road Trips From Queenstown (Don’t Miss These!)
The Best Ski Resorts in Queenstown
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Last Updated on February 26, 2025 by snaphappytravel