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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. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · best time to go.
Use this plan → Customize this plan →
5
days
665 km
distance
13.1 h
driving
16
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~16 hours of daylight in December — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- The published journey uses longer warm-season daylight; check NZTA, local roads, weather, fuel and DOC coastal access before each remote leg.
Day 1 Dunedin public culture day
- 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
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
Roam among stately historic buildings on the campus grounds.
50 min · Dunedin public culture day
15:10
16:30
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, …
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
Day 2 North Catlins confirmed-open coast day
- 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
Overnight here
e.g. Hilltop Accommodation · Catlins Mohua Park
Day 3 South Catlins confirmed-open coast day
- 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
Overnight here
e.g. Whistling Frog Resort · Curio Bay Camping Ground
Day 4 Invercargill public heritage day
- 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
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
Day 5 Te Anau public lake and information day
- 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
🔍 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.