Title: Visit Southland: Best of Southland Tourism | Expedia Travel Guide - Expedia.ca [Southland Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Southland.d6047987.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in Southland](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Southland.d6047987.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[Southland Flights](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Southland.d6047987.Flight-Destinations)[Things to do in Southland](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Southland.d6047987.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Southland Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-Southland.d6047987.Car-Rental-Destinations)[Southland Vacations](https://expedia.ca/Southland.d6047987.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Southland ## New Zealand ![Milford Sound featuring a sunset, a lake or waterhole and mountains](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/180000/180773-South-Island.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Mitre Peak showing a bay or harbour, mountains and a sunset](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/181000/181053-Southland.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Milford Sound which includes a river or creek and mountains](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/180000/180784-South-Island.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Milford Sound featuring a sunset and forest scenes](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/181000/181023-Southland.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Lake Te Anau featuring aircraft and a lake or waterhole](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/181000/181013-Southland.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### Filled with some of the largest populations of native wildlife in the country, this region is a nature lover’s delight and a photographer’s dream. A patchwork of lush rainforests, rolling hills, rugged coastlines and character-filled towns, Southland is the ultimate nature and wildlife destination and the southernmost region of New Zealand. Visit Southland to see native animals in their natural habitat, walk across scenic countryside trails and enjoy fresh local seafood in friendly coastal cafés. Take a ferry across to Stewart Island, New Zealand's third-largest island. Embark on a 3-day hike along the Rakiura Track, past plenty of beautiful coastal scenery. Look for brown kiwi birds, who have made the island their home and forage for food on the beaches. Explore the southernmost city of Invercargill, which features Victorian, Edwardian and art deco heritage buildings. Wander around Queens Park, an 80-hectare (198-acre) collection of gardens, walkways and a bird aviary. Take a tour of the Invercargill Brewery to sample locally-produced beers. Take your photograph in front of the famous world distance signpost at Stirling Point in Bluff. Sample Bluff’s world-famous oysters and enjoy panoramic vistas of the Foveaux Strait. Head out to the Catlins Coast for an abundance of wildlife and stunning river valleys. Hike to the majestic sea caves at Cathedral Caves during low tide. At Curio Bay, marvel at the fossilized trees, which are said to date back to the Jurassic period. Look for yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions and dolphins at Nugget Point, a headland and series of islets housing colonies of seabirds and wildlife. Drive down the Owaka-Invercargill highway to Purakaunui Falls, a magnificent waterfall that cascades over 65 feet (20 meters) and is set within lush forest. Visit Te Anau, a picturesque town that is the gateway for Fiordland National Park and the majestic Milford Sound. Boat cruises carry passengers through the fiords, which were carved by glaciers during the Ice Age. Fly into Christchurch Airport and take a connecting flight or long-distance bus to Invercargill. Rent a car to explore the region at your own pace or rent a bike to explore the many scenic cycle trails. With its fresh seafood, craggy coastlines and native wildlife, Southland will not disappoint. ### Popular cities in Southland [Fiordland National ParkKnown for Adventure and Natural parks](https://expedia.ca/Fiordland-National-Park.dx6353314) ## Reasons to visit - Milford Sound - Doubtful Sound - Mitre Peak [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Fiordland-National-Park.dx6353314)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Fiordland-National-Park-Hotels.d6353314.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Te AnauKnown for Lakes, Excursions and Tours](https://expedia.ca/Te-Anau.dx3406) With its stunning lake, excellent walking trails and mesmerising glow worm cave, this town is more than just an access point for the sounds of Fiordland. ## Reasons to visit - Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Te-Anau.dx3406)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Te-Anau-Hotels.d3406.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Stewart Island / Rakiura](https://expedia.ca/Stewart-Island-Rakiura.dx692487158612033536) ## Reasons to visit - Rakiura National Park [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Stewart-Island-Rakiura.dx692487158612033536)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Stewart-Island-Rakiura-Hotels.d692487158612033536.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [BluffKnown for Ferries and boats, Sea and Islands](https://expedia.ca/Bluff.dx6276591) ## Reasons to visit - Stirling Point [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Bluff.dx6276591)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Bluff-Hotels.d6276591.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [InvercargillKnown for Gardens, Islands and Museums](https://expedia.ca/Invercargill.dx1646) [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Invercargill.dx1646)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Invercargill-Hotels.d1646.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [GoreKnown for Fishing, Small town and Live music](https://expedia.ca/Gore.dx6047946) [Explore city](https://expedia.ca/Gore.dx6047946)[Find hotels](https://expedia.ca/Gore-Hotels.d6047946.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ## Cities in Southland ![Te Anau featuring a lake or waterhole and landscape views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/78000/78084-Te-Anau.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Te Anau With its stunning lake, excellent walking trails and mesmerising glow worm cave, this town is more than just an access point for the sounds of Fiordland. [](https://expedia.ca/Te-Anau.dx3406) ![Milford Sound](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/181000/181411-Milford-Sound.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Milford Sound Majestic sea cliffs, cascading waterfalls and abundant marine life make this beautiful sound one of New Zealand’s most prized destinations. [](https://expedia.ca/Milford-Sound.dx2274) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app ![QR code to download the app](data:image/png;base64,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)