Western Southland Next on the Great Southern Road Trip: we're headed west! THE GREAT SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP COASTAL EDITION Think beaches, The jewel in the crown of this special part of Southland is For something outside the surf, towards Otautau you'll find Blueberry Country. If you visit during the summer season, their pick your own blueberries are an experience to be had. Once you've collected your bounty, take your buckets back to base where you can even have some of your own harvested blueberries turned into real fruit ice cream. In Otautau, take some time to peruse the offerings of the Otautau Gallery. Featuring local and New Zealand artists, the gallery is a haven of all things creative and beautiful. Zealand's newest Great Walk. The three-day loop walk takes you along the south coast of New Zealand, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge, and over historic viaducts in the heart of native forest. walks and the New Zealand back yard from 30 years ago; it's all here in Western Riverton. Referred to by many as the "Riviera of the South", this sleepy seaside town is home to numerous quintessential Kiwi baches, many of which are available to rent through holiday home companies. Whether you want to be right by the seaside, or up the hil looking out on an ocean vista, there's plenty to choose from. To fill your belly, make haste for The Aparima Restaurant & Bar - fondly known as The Ap by locals. Try the best of Southland's seafood offerings and head home with a full belly. courtesy of The Ap's hearty southern servings. For tasty coffee, delicious baked goods, fabulous cheese rolls and everything else in between, head to The Crib Café where southern Southland. Western Southland is home to some of the most interesting natural phenomenon in the country. Take the Clifden Caves for example; as some of the only cave systems in Southland, they feature stalactites and glow worms. Bring a torch or head lamp and prepare to get your feet wet! The caves are subject to flash flooding, so don't enter during or immediately after heavy rain, or if rain is forecast. In Tuatapere, you'll find the beginning of the Hump Ridge Track, which is set to become New hospitality is served up in spades. Western Southland has a shoreline for every kind of water baby. Colac Bay and Cosy Nook are famed for their picturesque sights, and Monkey Island is a great place to bring a picnic, build sandcastles and dip your toes in the surf. Named for the small island on its shore, Monkey Island can be reached at low tide, where a stairway waits to take you to panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. Western Southland Next on the Great Southern Road Trip: we're headed west! THE GREAT SOUTHERN ROAD TRIP COASTAL EDITION Think beaches, The jewel in the crown of this special part of Southland is For something outside the surf, towards Otautau you'll find Blueberry Country. If you visit during the summer season, their pick your own blueberries are an experience to be had. Once you've collected your bounty, take your buckets back to base where you can even have some of your own harvested blueberries turned into real fruit ice cream. In Otautau, take some time to peruse the offerings of the Otautau Gallery. Featuring local and New Zealand artists, the gallery is a haven of all things creative and beautiful. Zealand's newest Great Walk. The three-day loop walk takes you along the south coast of New Zealand, up to the sub-alpine zone of the Hump Ridge, and over historic viaducts in the heart of native forest. walks and the New Zealand back yard from 30 years ago; it's all here in Western Riverton. Referred to by many as the "Riviera of the South", this sleepy seaside town is home to numerous quintessential Kiwi baches, many of which are available to rent through holiday home companies. Whether you want to be right by the seaside, or up the hil looking out on an ocean vista, there's plenty to choose from. To fill your belly, make haste for The Aparima Restaurant & Bar - fondly known as The Ap by locals. Try the best of Southland's seafood offerings and head home with a full belly. courtesy of The Ap's hearty southern servings. For tasty coffee, delicious baked goods, fabulous cheese rolls and everything else in between, head to The Crib Café where southern Southland. Western Southland is home to some of the most interesting natural phenomenon in the country. Take the Clifden Caves for example; as some of the only cave systems in Southland, they feature stalactites and glow worms. Bring a torch or head lamp and prepare to get your feet wet! The caves are subject to flash flooding, so don't enter during or immediately after heavy rain, or if rain is forecast. In Tuatapere, you'll find the beginning of the Hump Ridge Track, which is set to become New hospitality is served up in spades. Western Southland has a shoreline for every kind of water baby. Colac Bay and Cosy Nook are famed for their picturesque sights, and Monkey Island is a great place to bring a picnic, build sandcastles and dip your toes in the surf. Named for the small island on its shore, Monkey Island can be reached at low tide, where a stairway waits to take you to panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.