SUMMER 2006 • PAGE 13
nd’s Southland • by Foster Price
On the Web
For more information on this
beautiful area, including
weather, travel and events,
go to the Southland website
at www.southlandnz.com
From snow-capped mountains to serenely still inlets lit
by glorious sunsets to hills pushing up from tranquil
waters, New Zealand’s Southland offers opportunities
for exciting adventures or idle relaxation.
about 400. It offers a variety of vertical for hundreds of meters, and
accommodations, eating options, fuel waterfalls plunging right into the sea.
and basic supplies. The bush, snow-clad peaks and rain
are awe inspiring, as is the fishing.
For services and supplies at mainland
prices, Bluff and the adjacent city of
Milford Sound, towards the north, and
Invercargill (pop. 50,000), at the
Doubtful Sound are the only inhabited
southern tip of the South Island have
areas, although you’ll certainly strike
full haul-out facilities along with
fishermen in many fiords. These are
electronic, engineering and servicing
also the only two places you’ll get fuel
capabilities of a high standard.
within two days sailing. The Mana
Cruising Club’s Boaties’ Guide to
Awe-inspiring Fiordland
Fiordland is an invaluable pilot to this
Fiordland can be accessed via either
area, relied on by visitors and locals
the West Coast of the South Island, or
alike.
via the East Coast, using Bluff as the
The members of southern yacht clubs,
“jump-off point.” Either way, Fiordland
Bluff and Green Point at Bluff,
is isolated by at least a couple of days
Marakura at Te Anau (accessed via
sailing from any semblance of
Milford) are always interested to assist
“civilization.” Fiordland is hard to do
and host visiting yacht crews (our yacht
justice with words; there is a sense of
clubs are not of the style of the New
wonder imparted from mountains
York Yacht Club). Contacts are available
rising straight out of the sea, near
from www.yachtingnz.org.nz.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24