Welcome

PLEASE EXPLORE THIS SITE AND ENJOY ALL THAT NORTHERN SOUTHLAND HAS TO OFFER!

Northern Southland is an area of majestic mountains, clear skies, rolling hills, expansive, lush plains, world-renowned trout fishing rivers, and friendly people.   We invite you to explore this special place for yourself and discover its beauty and hospitality.

Northern Southland offers a wide range of activities. From exploring the area's rich heritage, experiencing the fine fishing in the many rivers and streams, to attending the many local events or even just appreciating the beautiful landscapes, Northern Southland has something for everyone.

Northern Southland is very much a rural area, with small towns and villages situated along the main roads; most can provide a warm bed and a good meal on your travels.

Northern Southland is located at the southern end of the South Island of New Zealand. It is centrally located and convenient to the tourist mecca of Queenstown, beautiful Fiordland, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the Catlins and Stewart Island.  The ideal location from which to explore the lower South Island.

Northern Southland has a rich heritage. Non-Maori pioneers came to this region in the mid 1850s to break in the land by cutting down and burning the bush to create farm land. Building basic dwellings first, they later established homesteads, many of which still stand today. Prior to this, Maori came to the plains for hunting and fishing or passed through on pounamu (greenstone) expeditions into Fiordland or their ventures north.

The Dome Mountains (West, Mid and East Domes) were significant features on the Northern Southland horizon. Maori used them as navigation guides, while surveyor J.T. Thomson, who was responsible for the reconnaissance survey of the area in the late 1850s, used them as observation points.
 
In later years, many of the larger runs were split up into smaller units. With the railway coming through to Kingston in 1878, brought increased  prosperity to the district through increased employment opportunities and the opening up of further land tracts for habitation and farming.

The Northern Southland Heritage Trail, He Ara Manatunga a Raki a Tonga, spans a distance of 110 km between Kingston and Josephville Hill. Fifteen sites marked with Heritage Trail signs feature on our Historic journey, and are able to be visited in any order.

To begin your journey along the Northern Southland Heritage Trail, pick up a Heritage Trail pamphlet; these are available from most retailers and accomodation in the Northern Southland area.

 This link provides information about another beautiful Southland area: www.catlins.org.nz.  For questions about Northern Southland or this site please e-mail Webmaster.