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Dunedin to Te Anau Southern Scenic Road: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 5-day version for December: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight.

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5
days
665 km
distance
13.1 h
driving
16
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Before you go · check live details

This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Day 1 Dunedin public culture day

5 curated stops
Transit
0h48
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
10.5°C–15.0°C
Rainy days
~9
Daylight
15.5h
09:00
Dunedin public culture circuit dunedin.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public civic, garden, gallery and heritage access; wildlife tours, castles, rail trips and events stay optional.
240 min · Dunedin public culture day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
13:10
Tūhura Otago Museum otagomuseum.nz read more map ↗
Encounter two million years of natural history and culture.
50 min · Dunedin public culture day · Free but donations welcomed. Charges for special exhibitions
open: Daily 10AM-5PM
14:10
Otago University otago.ac.nz read more map ↗
Roam among stately historic buildings on the campus grounds.
50 min · Dunedin public culture day
15:10
Baldwin Street read more map ↗
Feel the steep incline under your feet on the world's steepest street.
50 min · Dunedin public culture day
16:30
Larnach Castle larnachcastle.co.nz read more map ↗
Explore the grand rooms of New Zealand's only castle manor.
50 min · Dunedin public culture day · Castle, gardens & grounds adult $34, child (aged 5 - 14) $12, family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $80. Early bird special 8—9:30AM (Oct-Mar) adult $25.50, child (aged 5 - 14) $9, family $60. Gardens & grounds only adult $17, child $5. Guided tours $125
open: Castle Oct-Mar 8AM-6PM, to Apr-Sep 9AM-5PM. Garden Oct-Mar 9AM-7PM, to Apr-Sep 9AM-5PM
Overnight here
e.g. Arden Street House · Chalet Backpackers
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 North Catlins confirmed-open coast day

3 curated stops
Transit
2h56
Finish
~17:45
Temperature
8.6°C–16.7°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
15.6h
11:15
North Catlins confirmed-open coast circuit doc.govt.nz map ↗
Use only confirmed-open public coastal lookouts and short walks; wildlife is never guaranteed and viewing restrictions apply.
240 min · North Catlins confirmed-open coast day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
15:35
Tunnel Hill doc.govt.nz map ↗
50 min · North Catlins confirmed-open coast day
16:55
Surat Bay search map ↗
50 min · North Catlins confirmed-open coast day
Overnight here
e.g. Hilltop Accommodation · Catlins Mohua Park
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 South Catlins confirmed-open coast day

3 curated stops
Transit
3h13
Finish
~17:55
Temperature
8.6°C–16.7°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
15.6h
11:45
South Catlins confirmed-open coast circuit doc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open forest, coast and fossil-forest access suited to current weather and tides; wildlife and water safety are not promised.
240 min · South Catlins confirmed-open coast day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
15:55
Waikawa Museum & Information Centre search map ↗
50 min · South Catlins confirmed-open coast day
17:05
Curio Bay and Porpoise Bay search map ↗
50 min · South Catlins confirmed-open coast day
Overnight here
e.g. Whistling Frog Resort · Curio Bay Camping Ground
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Invercargill public heritage day

3 curated stops
Transit
2h40
Finish
~17:30
Temperature
10.4°C–16.0°C
Rainy days
~15
Daylight
15.6h
11:30
Invercargill public heritage circuit icc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public gardens, civic and heritage access; museums, events and provider products stay optional.
240 min · Invercargill public heritage day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
15:40
Bank Corner search map ↗
Admire three grand early 20th-century bank facades and a war memorial.
50 min · Invercargill public heritage day
16:40
Southland Fire Service Museum kotuia.org.nz map ↗
Explore vintage fire engines and firefighting memorabilia on display.
50 min · Invercargill public heritage day · $5
Overnight here
e.g. Birchwood Manor Motel · Tower Lodge Motel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 5 Te Anau public lake and information day

2 curated stops
Transit
3h26
Finish
~17:20
Temperature
5.7°C–14.0°C
Rainy days
~28
Daylight
15.5h
12:20
Te Anau public lake and information circuit doc.govt.nz map ↗
Use confirmed-open public lakefront and the current visitor-centre service; Milford, cruises and Great Walks remain separate products.
240 min · Te Anau public lake and information day · Confirm current admission, parking, road and access conditions
16:30
Te Anau Bird Sanctuary doc.govt.nz map ↗
Spot rare birds including the striking blue takahē in quiet woods.
50 min · Te Anau public lake and information day · Free, but donations are appreciated
open: Dawn to dusk

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🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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