Southland/Fiordland - Murihiku/Te Rua-o-Te-Moko

Southland is world famous. We're home to the spectacular natural area of Fiordland and some of New Zealand's most dramatic, awe-inspiring and iconic wilderness and rare wildlife.

Its always been like this. Māori drew on several hundred years of local know how and formed a unique bond with early Europeans, leading to the rapid growth of exports by both. We reckon there must be something in the water (and not just Bluff oysters).

Today, Murihiku Southland's economy is booming, bringing real opportunity and benefits to the entire region, from our smallest settlements to our largest city. But you don't have to be rich to enjoy our rich lifestyle. Anyone with the right attitude can create the future and freedom they've always wanted.

Our streets are safe, the quality of education high, and the cost of living low. Workdays have a before and after too, so you'll always find time to enjoy our wide-open spaces, eateries, thriving arts scene and world-class sports facilities.

Southlanders are surrounded and sustained by lush farmland, rich waters, bountiful coastlines, and abundant nature. We care deeply about the treasures in our backyard, and the Māori spirit of kaitiaki (guardianship) over them is something that anchors and unites us all.

We're a welcoming, generous lot. Down to earth, unapologetically proud, and focused on an exciting future. We could go on, but the long and short of it is the door's always open, the kettle's always on, and we can't wait to show you around.

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Whatever your event, you'll find a conference or meeting space that suits your needs. Don't think small town country hall –although we've got some of those!

Invercargill offers world-class venues such as ILT Stadium Southland and Bill Richardson Transport World which are located just minutes away from the vibrant city and airport, or if your preference is for full conference facilities, including onsite accommodation, the delightful Ascot Park Hotel has you covered. Thinking Fiordland? we have you covered there too!

Our gala dinner options will exceed your expectations from themed events up to 900, to intimate spaces available across the city. Local catering companies love nothing better than working with our venue teams to curate and create menus –you name it, we can deliver it! Wait until you take a food experience from paddock to plate - fresh, succulent, and locally sourced fare awaits.

When it’s time to turn in, Southland/Fiordland has a range of accommodation that caters for every taste and budget. With around 1,000 commercial accommodation rooms in Waihōopai Invercargill alone, the hard part is picking! Sit back and relax in your “home away from home” our accommodation teams will warm you with their famous Southern hospitality.

Picture your team catching a glimpse of mystical Stewart Island as their direct flight arrives in Invercargill. Surprisingly, few people ever see kiwi in the wild, let alone be outnumbered by them, but this is just part of what makes Rakiura Stewart Island exceptional especially when you are looking up at the Aurora Australis.

Invercargill is Southlands gateway, offering a city brim full of bucket list attractions, the famous Bluff Oyster and local delicacy, the Cheese Roll. This, New Zealand’s southernmost city, seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern living. The city's reimagined and vibrant centre buzzes with energy, galleries, museums, great shopping, and New Zealand's only heavy machinery playground satisfy the curious and the young at heart. Everything you want and need in a city is right here, without the big city headaches. A drive takes no more than 8 minutes from one experience to the next.

Fiordland can be hard to describe –truly, you have to see it to believe it. You're within touching distance of Aotearoa’s internationally renowned Fiordland UNESCO World Heritage site, offering fantastic attractions set amid majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, and the breath-taking Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

Discover the secrets of the Southern Scenic Route –take in the artisan vibes in the quirky seaside town of Riverton and stop by Gemstone Beach - where no amount of clever faceting could possibly improve on the extraordinary beauty of this uncut diamond. Continue your drive in the opposite direction and explore the rugged coastlines and the picture-perfect hamlets of the Catlins. 
 

Southland/Fiordland is emerging as a national hotspot, that's right the secret is out!

Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime in Murihiku Southland! With so many amazing activities and natural wonders, there's something for everyone. Enjoy a helicopter trip of a lifetime with mountain-top landing in Fiordland, visit the largest private automotive museum in the world, experience an exclusive Kiwi-spotting encounter on Stewart Island/Rakiura, or savour the breath-taking thrill of cage-diving with great white sharks near Bluff.

The country’s southernmost National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fiordland covers 1.2 million hectares of mountain, lake, fiord and rainforest. A pristine, wild playground just waiting for your clients, with unforgettable attractions aplenty.

We should mention the unique delicacies and premium produce available throughout the region. Sure to impress the most discerning taste buds with Bluff oysters, Fiordland crayfish, venison, and Stewart Island salmon just to name a few. The region offers endless walking, hiking, fishing, boating, cycling, off-road, and water-based activities.

PCOs, association and corporate clients love the diverse range of activities, venues, and accommodation on offer in our region - from the urban sophistication of Invercargill’s new city centre to rustic adventures in picturesque, cosy settings. We will tailor the perfect experience for you.
 

Southland/Fiordland is well worth visiting at any time of year!

Whether you’re a hunter/gatherer or a foodie, an adventure junky or a relaxation seeker, a give-it-a-go type or a sit-back-and watch type - there's something for everyone all year round in Murihiku Southland.

EXPERIENCE PADDOCK TO PLATE DINING
Surrounded by ocean and pasture, Murihiku Southland is the ultimate Surf‘n’Turf destination - a produce paradise. Enjoy the freshest seafood, including world-famous Bluff oysters, Stewart Island salmon, mussels, pāua, and succulent blue cod. Take your pick of exceptional tasting, grass-fed lamb, 
prime pasture-fed beef, and the finest venison, alongside the crispness and crunch of farm-fresh veggies. And let's not forget that Southland delicacy –the famous cheese roll - the perfect companion for a fabulous, locally roasted coffee.

DISCOVER LOCAL CULTURE AND HERITAGE
Murihiku Southland has rich and varied natural and cultural heritage, with distinctive areas of the region embracing their unique stories. From tales of early Māori voyages to remote lighthouses and whalers’ sites, moonshine distilleries, Victorian hotels, farming and mining history, and a 180-million-yearold petrified forest, Murihiku Southland is a treasure trove of astonishing experiences. The region’s living history is wonderfully showcased through interactive modern museums, and unforgettable outdoor experiences.

ENCOUNTER UNIQUE WILDLIFE AMONGST UNTAMED WILDERNESS
Listen to native birdsong, spot kiwis hiding in the dark or take a cruise to experience a range of wildlife. Murihiku Southland is the place to find everything from rare native birds to dolphins, seals and sharks. On Stewart Island, kiwi outnumber humans 50 to 1 and the southern sanctuary offers a unique kiwi spotting experience as the birds are practically on your doorstep. Discover the Catlins and observe hoiho yelloweyed penguins as they come ashore on the 180-million-year-old, petrified forest at Curio Bay. In Murihiku Southland there are many options for tours and cruises that will let you experience the wildlife without having to find where they hide yourself. Tours allow you to sit back, photograph and relax, and enjoy a true Southern experience without hassle.

 

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