Scenic drives from Invercargill

Invercargill is a great base for exploring Southland by road. If you’re starting from Colonial Motel Invercargill (143 Mary Street), here are a few drive ideas that keep your plan flexible.

Option 1: Make Invercargill part of the Southern Scenic Route

The Southern Scenic Route is a well-known touring route that links Queenstown and Dunedin via Fiordland, Te Anau, Riverton, Invercargill and the Catlins. You don’t need to do the full route — you can simply use sections of it to build your own Southland road trip.

Option 2: Short coastal drive (Oreti Beach)

If you want something simple with big skies and sea air, head toward the coast and explore Oreti Beach. It’s a long bay on the Foveaux Strait coast and a classic “Southland” kind of landscape.

Option 3: Invercargill → Bluff (easy half-day)

If you’d like a shorter coastal outing, consider Bluff — then come back in time for dinner in Invercargill. (See our Bluff day trip guide.)

Safety & planning

Check conditions: road and weather conditions can change quickly in the south.
Fuel up: keep an eye on fuel stops if you’re going rural.
Take your time: the best Southland drives are about the scenery and the stops, not speed.

Want help choosing the best route for your dates and interests? Ask us for suggestions