Travelling with Pets - SOUTHLAND

Reap the rewards of a dip into Southland, where gloriousbush walks reveal waterfalls, coastal tracks lead toisolated beaches and hospitality for all is a given.

Stirling Point Light House

© Adobe Stock

DOG PARKS

ELLES ROAD DOG PARK, INVERCARGILL You’ll find this fully-fenced dog park near the centre of Invercargill, perfect for dogs to have sniff and chase safely.

FOSBENDER PARK, INVERCARGILL Fantastic place to run dogs off the lead, perfect for those looking to make new friends, plus there is a pond for a swim to cool off afterwards. On Sunday mornings the Southland Sled Dog Club use the area for racing so best to give them some space.

HAMILTON PARK, GORE Plenty here for the whole family with a children’s playground and skate/bike park, plus walking and cycling tracks. Fully fenced separate exercise areas for both small and large dogs, with large swathes of land to roam and run after a frisbee.

MORE…

• Queens Park, Invercargill

• Appleby Park, Invercargill

• Seaward Bush Reserve, Invercargill

• Bluff Dog Park, Bluff

Pet in vegetable garden, Southland

© Great South

CHECK OUT

SLED DOGS Watch the mushers and their sled dogs race with dogged determination when The Southland Sled Dog Scarper Association (SSDA) hold their two annual sled dog races. The Sandy Point Scarper is held in Invercargill over King’s Birthday Weekend and the Fosbender Fender Bender race on the last weekend in August, also held in Invercargill. Check out their Facebook page for news of their Have-a-Go days.

PURAKAUNUI FALLS, OWAKA Share one of New Zealand’s mostphotographed iconic sights with your precious pooch! The 15-minute return track winds through mature beech and podocarp forests, descending to give you the picture-perfect view of the three-tiered falls. Wheelchair users can access the top viewing platform and there is a picnic area at the beginning of the track for before and after snacks. Dogs must be on-leash.

WALKIES

AWAKIKI BUSH TRACK, BALCLUTHA Easy 3km loop, on-leash

MATAI HORSESHOE FALLS, THE CATLINS Easy 1km return, on-leash

MCLEAN FALLS WALK, THE CATLINS Easy 2km return, on-leash

SURAT BAY BEACH WALK, OWAKA Easy 1km return, on-leash

GLORY TRACK, BLUFF Moderate 4km return, on-leash

SEAWARD DOWNS LOOP TRACK, INVERCARGILL Easy 1km loop, on-leash

KINGS TRACK, RIVERTON Easy 1km return, on-leash

DEREK TURNBULL LOOP TRACK, WINTON Easy 1.5km loop, on-leash

MORES LOOKOUT TRACK, RIVERTON Easy 1km return, on-leash

LONG HILLY WALKWAY, RIVERTON Easy 3km loop, on-leash

KAKA POINT BUSH WALK, OWAKA Easy 1.5km loop, on-leash

POURAKINO PICNIC AREA LOOP TRACK, INVERCARGILL Easy 1.5km loop, on-leash

Pippi

© Frances Beggs

BIG ADVENTURES

WAIPOHATU WATERFALL LOOP, THE CATLINS Easy 6.5km loop, on-leash

SOUTH MAVORA LAKE LOOP TRACK, TE ANAU Moderate 11.5km loop, on-leash

TE ANAU LAKEFRONT TRACK – VISITOR CENTRE TO UPUKERORA RIVER Easy 9km return, on-leash

Sid

© Natasha Van Der Kallen

HAPPY CAMPERS

• Mavora Lakes DOC Campsite

• Piano Flat Campsite, Waikaia Forest Conservation Area

• Te Anau TOP 10 Holiday Park

• Central City Camping Park, Invercargill

• Colac Bay Tavern & Holiday Park

• Kaka Point Camping Ground

• Pounawea Motor Camp, Owaka

• Tawanui Campsite, Owaka

• Purakaunui Bay Campsite,The Catlins

• Papatōwai DOC Campsite, The Catlins

DOG-FRIENDLY SPOTS

• Oreti Beach, Invercargill

• Invercargill Estuary

• Frasers Beach, Manapōuri

• Lake Manapōuri

• Mavora Lakes

• Curio/Porpoise Bay