Dipton on the Ōreti River

Dipton stretches across the Ōreti River. For travellers looking for a hotel in Dipton, this riverside location is a specific geographical reference point for the town.

River and hill country

The Taringatura Hills lie west of Dipton, nearby. Their highest point reaches 666 m; today, the hills are mostly pastureland. Dipton’s riverside location and the pastureland-dominated hill country nearby are distinct landscape features.

Castledowns (Dipton) Wetlands

Castledowns (Dipton) Wetlands is privately owned. A short track from the road can be used there; alternatively, visitors can join a working group. Confirm access before visiting, as the wetland is privately owned. This allows you to plan a visit to this special natural area with due regard for the access requirements.

More destinations in the wider Southland District

Across the wider Southland District, several destinations offer different landscapes and visitor experiences. The Hump Ridge Track is a three-day loop across subalpine heights and along a rugged coast. It opened as New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk on 25 October 2024. The route also includes a short interpretive loop around the historic Port Craig sawmill site. The trail thus combines a multi-day route with a stop that tells the story of the sawmill.

The Rakiura Track follows an open coastline, passes through the forested island interior and skirts the sheltered shores of Paterson Inlet. Oban is the only settlement on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Oban can be reached from Invercargill by a 20-minute flight, or from Bluff by a one-hour ferry crossing of Foveaux Strait. As ferry schedules can change, check the timetable before travelling.

Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara is also on Stewart Island/Rakiura. It is an open sanctuary with well-maintained tracks for people of all ages and fitness levels. Following a successful eradication programme, the island was declared rat-free. Its relatively unspoilt condition makes it important for the protection of threatened species. Alongside coastal and high-country routes, the Southland District also offers island walks and nature conservation.

Another conservation highlight is Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary on the shores of Lake Te Anau. It is a 20-minute walk or a 2-minute drive from the Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. The sanctuary offers self-guided visits and activities for children on site. The takahē pairs support the Takahē Recovery Programme by raising chicks, which are released at about one year of age into wild, predator-controlled areas.

Discover more destinations: Niagara, Mossburn, Monowai, Lumsden, Nightcaps, Athol, Tokanui, Te Anau Downs.

Return to the wider travel overview: Southland District.