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The Southern Scenic Route
La Riviera is a great base for the Southern Secnic Route
The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway in New Zealand linking Queenstown, Fiordland, Te Anau and the iconic Milford Road to Dunedin via, Riverton, Invercargill and The Catlins. One of the world's great undiscovered drives.
This journey between Queenstown and Dunedin is approximately 610km of natural and cultural attractions laid out one after the other – wildlife viewing, short walks, mountain-biking, fishing, hunting, boating, camping, tramping and caving. The Southern Scenic Route is a journey that allows access to deserted beaches, lush rainforest, pristine lakes and stunning mountain vistas.
Riverton / Aparima
Home of La Riviera Guest House
Poised on the south coast of Southland, Riverton is an eclectic town surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Thirty km from Invercargill, Riverton's population is an interesting mix of artists and fishermen. The town spans Jacob's River Estuary, a picturesque location framed by the vast, sweeping coastline.
A popular seaside and holiday resort, Riverton/Aparima is known as the ‘Riviera of the South’. Riverton/Aparima is rich in early Maori history and is one of the earliest European settlements in New Zealand. Visit the Te Hikoi Southern Journey Heritage Museum and take a photo with the infamous paua shell on the main road.
Invercargill
40km from Riverton (40min drive)
Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city, the commercial hub of Southland, and has a population of 52,000 people. Invercargill has a large network of parks and gardens near the city centre. There are also many walking and cycling opportunities around the city.
Queenstown
200km from Riverton (2.5hr drive)
Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu. With a reputation as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier four season visitor destination, the cosmopolitan lake and alpine resort has the perfect mix of action and relaxation.
This vibrant, compact town offers a huge range of things to do. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush like bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, zip trekking, or dirt biking, there are endless opportunities to get your blood pumping! For more relaxed pursuits you can enjoy world-class golf courses, explore backcountry on foot or bike or sample awardwinning Central Otago wines.
Te Anau (Fiordland)
146km from Riverton (1hour 45min drive)
The townships of Te Anau are the gateways to Fiordland National Park. This area offers a wide variety of activity options. Visiting the incredible grandeur of Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound, or undertaking any of the short walks and multiday hiking trails, are some of the key attractions to the region.
With over 600km of formed tracks, Fiordland is one of the world’s finest walking destinations.
