Southland – Fiordland Wonders & The Deep South

Southland offers a camping experience like no other. It is a region of extremes—from the vertical granite cliffs of Milford Sound to the windswept, fossil-rich beaches of Curio Bay. It is also the best place in the country to spot the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).

For campers, this is the gateway to adventure. You can base yourself at a holiday park in Te Anau before exploring the fjords, freedom camp in the heart of The Catlins surrounded by waterfalls and wildlife, or take the ferry to Stewart Island for a true island escape.

Why Go Camping Here?

• Fiordland National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site. Camping near Te Anau or Manapouri gives you easy access to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.

• The Catlins: A rugged stretch of coast famous for waterfalls (like Purakaunui Falls), lighthouse views, and rare wildlife.

• Stewart Island (Rakiura): Just a 1-hour ferry ride away, this is New Zealand’s third island. It is a Dark Sky Sanctuary and one of the best places to see wild Kiwi birds.

• Bluff Oysters: If you visit between March and August, you can taste the world’s finest oysters right from the source in the port town of Bluff.

Must-Do Camping Activities

• Milford Sound Cruise: The absolute "must-do." Take a boat tour to see Mitre Peak and waterfalls that plummet hundreds of metres into the sea.

• Curio Bay: Camp here to see a 180-million-year-old petrified forest at low tide and watch yellow-eyed penguins come ashore at dusk.

• Walk a Great Walk: Southland is home to three of NZ’s finest multi-day hikes: the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks.

• Nugget Point Lighthouse: A short walk to an iconic lighthouse perched on a steep headland, looking out over rocky islets and basking seals.

• Shark Cage Diving: For the brave, Bluff is the place to go cage diving with Great White Sharks.