Summertime On The Lake
Summertime On The ...
Enjoy the refreshing water in the heat of summer
Papatowai Beach
Papatowai Beach
Sunlight shines through the clouds onto the beach below
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Take in the fresh mountain air
Magnificent McLean Falls
Magnificent McLean Falls ...
Nature as it should be
Kepler Track
Kepler Track
Immerse yourself in the sublime beauty of Fiordland
 
Pause

Plan Your Journey

The Southern Scenic Route is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with frequent breaks, short walks and overnight stays along the way. The following are estimated driving times around the route only.

The SSR roads are fully sealed but some side-roads may be loose gravel and require more time and care. Motorists not familiar with country or unsealed roads are advised to allow additional travelling time. Cyclists should be prepared for frequent and substantial hill climbs at all stages, and slower times on unsealed roads.

 

Driving Distances And Times

The driving times shown do not include all the sightseeing stops you'll be making.

SECTION DISTANCE DRIVING TIME

Queenstown - Frankton

7 km

5 min

Frankton - Kingston

40 km

30 min

Kingston - Five Rivers

43 km

35 min

Five Rivers - Mossburn

20 km

15 min

Mossburn - Te Anau

60 km

45 min

Te Anau - Milford Sound/Piopiotahi

119 km

2 hr 20 min

Te Anau - Manapouri

22 km

15 min

Manapouri - Tuatapere

79 km

1 hr

Tuatapere - Riverton/Aparima

48 km

50 min

Riverton/Aparima - Invercargill

38 km

40 min

Invercargill – Bluff

30 km

25 min

Invercargill - Fortrose

46 km

50 min

Fortrose - Tokanui

13 km

10 min

Fortrose - Waikawa (inland route)

32 km

40 min

Fortrose - Waikawa (coastal route partly unsealed)

36 km

45 min

Waikawa - Papatowai

38 km

45 min

Papatowai - Owaka

26 km

30 min

Owaka - Kaka Point

17 km

15 min

Kaka Point - Balclutha

21 km

20 min

Balclutha - Taieri Mouth

50 km

1 hr

Taieri Mouth - Dunedin

35 km

45 min

 

 

 

Flying To The Southern Scenic Route


Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin have airports with domestic flights arriving and departing daily from around New Zealand. Queenstown and Dunedin are also serviced by international flights travelling to and from Australia.

Rental cars and campervans can be picked up and dropped off at these airports - contact rental companies for all the options.

 

Tips For Your Comfort And Safety

  • Even the easiest walks need safety sense - be prepared!!
  • Dress for the weather (and be prepared for it to change)
  • Carry and apply insect repellent – particularly in the Hauroko and Borland areas
  • Stay on the track and remain behind any barriers
  • Allow enough time to walk at your own pace
  • On longer walks take a snack and drink
  • Check tide times before you start
  • Ask advice from local visitor centres regarding more remote walking opportunities
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Please ensure you have enough fuel in your vehicle as distances between fuel stops can be large
  • Distances referred to within this website do not reflect driving times. Some roads require slower speeds.

 

Please Recycle


Help us protect our people, land, water and native species so that these treasures can be shared now and in the future. You can contribute to recycling in New Zealand during your travels by supporting sustainable products and businesses and making a dedicated effort to use the many recycling stations around the route.

 

 

Southern Scenic Route Brochure

The Southern Scenic Route brochure is displayed at information centres, hotels, motels and various other display points around the route.

You can also download the brochure here, in several different formats...

For the full brochure, including a map (3.2MB) click...

Click to download and open...

The Southern Scenic Route Self Drive Brochure

For just the map & useful contact details (1.4MB) click... Click to download and open...
Smartphone users can download this version of the full brochure (2.7MB)...  Click to download and open...

 



Plan Your Flights

 

Driving The SSR

 

Freedom Camping

The Southern Scenic Route offers campers fantastic holiday parks, DOC camping grounds and other designated camping areas. Freedom camping is not permitted elsewhere. For information on where you can camp visit...

            

 

Where can you camp? Fully self contained Not self contained
DOC campsites Yes Yes 
Holiday Parks Yes Yes
Designated camping sites with a toilet Yes Yes
Designated camping sites without a toilet Yes No

 

 

Events Around The SSR

Visit the regional websites to learn more about events around the Southern Scenic Route.

Events in Queenstown Events in Fiordland
Events in Southland
 
Events in Clutha Events in Dunedin 

 

Southern Scenic Route

Queenstown Fiordland Southland Clutha DunedinNZ Transport  Department of Conservation