Riverton guidebook
Best beaches
Riverton is a great seaside town with the best and safest swimming and surfing beaches.
Taramea Bay & Mitchells Bay (this is the Bay you are looking at directly in front of our house)
These popular, safe bays in Riverton offer great family swimming and excellent surfing.
Taramea Bay is a popular spot in the summer as it has a great playground and provides safe family swimming. A small section of this is Mitchell's Bay and is an excellent surf spot, with a great right hand point break that performs well at mid-tide. Mitchell’s Bay is directly in front of the property you are in now.
The bays are also popular for jet skis, fishing and catching the occasional flounder. And do some dolphin spotting while sitting in the lounge as dolphins like to travel up into the estuary for feeding, and can be seen out with surfers in Mitchell’s Bay.
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Riverton
Riverton is a great seaside town with the best and safest swimming and surfing beaches.
Taramea Bay & Mitchells Bay (this is the Bay you are looking at directly in front of our house)
These popular, safe bays in Riverton offer great family swimming and excellent surfing.
Taramea Bay is a popular spot in the summer as it has a great playground and provides safe family swimming. A small section of this is Mitchell's Bay and is an excellent surf spot, with a great right hand point break that performs well at mid-tide. Mitchell’s Bay is directly in front of the property you are in now.
The bays are also popular for jet skis, fishing and catching the occasional flounder. And do some dolphin spotting while sitting in the lounge as dolphins like to travel up into the estuary for feeding, and can be seen out with surfers in Mitchell’s Bay.
Sightseeing
Te Hikoi Southern Journey Museum and Information Centre is Western Southland's ultimate heritage attraction. The museum features authentic life size displays, adventurous characters and engaging stories that reveal how early Maori and Europeans adapted to survive on nature's edge and live together.
The museum experience starts with a 15 minute film about Maori lore, characters and stories of integration between Maori and European settlers. Life like displays showcase local Maori traditions such as tool making and harvesting, whaling history, early European settlers way of life and industries such as logging and farming, Chinese mining history, and war stories from ANZAC and Passchendaele.
The Discovery Depot, which has a focus on the geology of the area, gives you the opportunity to use microscopes and access the library of geology resources. Some visitors spend about 40 minutes exploring the museum, but some spend half a day.
Te Hikoi also hosts special exhibitions and houses a retail space which offers locally produced gifts and souvenirs and a wide range of books. The local information centre is operated from Te Hikoi, providing information for your visit to the area and assisting with making bookings for activities. Theatre and meeting spaces are available for hire.
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Te Hikoi Southern Journey
172 Palmerston StTe Hikoi Southern Journey Museum and Information Centre is Western Southland's ultimate heritage attraction. The museum features authentic life size displays, adventurous characters and engaging stories that reveal how early Maori and Europeans adapted to survive on nature's edge and live together.
The museum experience starts with a 15 minute film about Maori lore, characters and stories of integration between Maori and European settlers. Life like displays showcase local Maori traditions such as tool making and harvesting, whaling history, early European settlers way of life and industries such as logging and farming, Chinese mining history, and war stories from ANZAC and Passchendaele.
The Discovery Depot, which has a focus on the geology of the area, gives you the opportunity to use microscopes and access the library of geology resources. Some visitors spend about 40 minutes exploring the museum, but some spend half a day.
Te Hikoi also hosts special exhibitions and houses a retail space which offers locally produced gifts and souvenirs and a wide range of books. The local information centre is operated from Te Hikoi, providing information for your visit to the area and assisting with making bookings for activities. Theatre and meeting spaces are available for hire.
More’s Scenic Reserve bush walks - Howells Hill
Feel on top of the world at this beautiful reserve that offers excellent views over the coast and the surrounding land, as well as great short walks.
The reserve is located on Howells Hill overlooking the township of Riverton. The spectacular views over Southland and Foveaux Strait towards Stewart Island are complemented by the beautiful, gentle bush walks that feature abundant birdlife.
These walks include:
- short uphill 20 minute return Hilltop Lookout Track (short uphill walk on a gravel track)
- easy 20 minute return Kings Track that follows a bush route used by early settlers,
- 45 minute return Mores Lookout Track that goes through native forest to a tree-top lookout platform,
- more difficult 2 hour return Mores Coastal Loop Track that emerges from coastal forest and follows marker posts along beaches and rocky outcrops on the southern coastline. The track is best walked in an anti-clockwise direction from the car park, returning via Kings Track. It is maintained to tramping track standard and may be muddy in places with some steep sections.
There is plenty of parking space in the carpark and public toilets.
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Mores Scenic Reserve - Riverton
163 Richard StMore’s Scenic Reserve bush walks - Howells Hill
Feel on top of the world at this beautiful reserve that offers excellent views over the coast and the surrounding land, as well as great short walks.
The reserve is located on Howells Hill overlooking the township of Riverton. The spectacular views over Southland and Foveaux Strait towards Stewart Island are complemented by the beautiful, gentle bush walks that feature abundant birdlife.
These walks include:
- short uphill 20 minute return Hilltop Lookout Track (short uphill walk on a gravel track)
- easy 20 minute return Kings Track that follows a bush route used by early settlers,
- 45 minute return Mores Lookout Track that goes through native forest to a tree-top lookout platform,
- more difficult 2 hour return Mores Coastal Loop Track that emerges from coastal forest and follows marker posts along beaches and rocky outcrops on the southern coastline. The track is best walked in an anti-clockwise direction from the car park, returning via Kings Track. It is maintained to tramping track standard and may be muddy in places with some steep sections.
There is plenty of parking space in the carpark and public toilets.
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail - is a continuous 3,000 km walking track from Cape Reinga to Bluff
Te Araroa is the ultimate Kiwi experience. You can take months to walk the whole thing, or a few hours or days to walk a local segment.
Te Araroa starts and finishes on the edges of New Zealand's seas. Along the way, you explore New Zealand’s beaches, volcanoes, mountains, rivers, lakes and valleys.
The Tīhaka Beach Track is a coastal track that connects Colac Bay with Riverton and is mostly near the coast.
Before the climb up to Mores Reserve the track crosses sections of private farmland. Keep to the marked track here and be aware that this section is closed during September and October for lambing. It is also foot access only and dogs are prohibited.
Check out www.teararoa.org.nz for more info.
Te Araroa Trail
Te Araroa TrailTe Araroa - New Zealand's Trail - is a continuous 3,000 km walking track from Cape Reinga to Bluff
Te Araroa is the ultimate Kiwi experience. You can take months to walk the whole thing, or a few hours or days to walk a local segment.
Te Araroa starts and finishes on the edges of New Zealand's seas. Along the way, you explore New Zealand’s beaches, volcanoes, mountains, rivers, lakes and valleys.
The Tīhaka Beach Track is a coastal track that connects Colac Bay with Riverton and is mostly near the coast.
Before the climb up to Mores Reserve the track crosses sections of private farmland. Keep to the marked track here and be aware that this section is closed during September and October for lambing. It is also foot access only and dogs are prohibited.
Check out www.teararoa.org.nz for more info.
Neighbourhoods
Trip to Colac Bay - great waves 13km west of Riverton
As you might have guessed by the giant sculpture welcoming you into the settlement of Colac Bay, surfing is kind of a big deal here. Surf as far south as you’re ever likely to surf on the powerful waves of the Southern Ocean. Surf lessons are available here or in Riverton (see Southland Surf School notice in this guide).
Colac Bay / Ōraka
Trip to Colac Bay - great waves 13km west of Riverton
As you might have guessed by the giant sculpture welcoming you into the settlement of Colac Bay, surfing is kind of a big deal here. Surf as far south as you’re ever likely to surf on the powerful waves of the Southern Ocean. Surf lessons are available here or in Riverton (see Southland Surf School notice in this guide).
Trip to Orepuke, Monkey Island, Gemstone Beach, Cosy Nook
Carry on from Colac Bay to Orepuki and stop off at the Orepuki Beach Cafe for beer, wine or coffee.
Go to Monkey Island at low tide and you can walk to the Island there.
Gemstone Beach is a treat - remember these “gems” are all around, you just need to look at all the variety of stone colours and textures and imagine their journey to get to you.
Cosy Nook is nestled right by the sea.
Orepuki
Trip to Orepuke, Monkey Island, Gemstone Beach, Cosy Nook
Carry on from Colac Bay to Orepuki and stop off at the Orepuki Beach Cafe for beer, wine or coffee.
Go to Monkey Island at low tide and you can walk to the Island there.
Gemstone Beach is a treat - remember these “gems” are all around, you just need to look at all the variety of stone colours and textures and imagine their journey to get to you.
Cosy Nook is nestled right by the sea.
Home of the The Hump Ridge Track, which is in the process of becoming the latest Great Walks of New Zealand. Riverton is a great place to base yourself from before beginning and at the end of your hike.
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Tuatapere
Home of the The Hump Ridge Track, which is in the process of becoming the latest Great Walks of New Zealand. Riverton is a great place to base yourself from before beginning and at the end of your hike.
Our local metropolis - Invercargill is host to some unique Southern experiences: Transport World, Dig This and Oreti Beach is just 40 minutes away. Great local cafes (try Industry, The Batch, Starbucks), Splash Palace for indoor heated pool, Clip N Climb for a rockclimbing and abseiling experience.
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Invercargill
Our local metropolis - Invercargill is host to some unique Southern experiences: Transport World, Dig This and Oreti Beach is just 40 minutes away. Great local cafes (try Industry, The Batch, Starbucks), Splash Palace for indoor heated pool, Clip N Climb for a rockclimbing and abseiling experience.
Stewart Island is a short flight or ferry ride from Invercargill. Walk the Rakiura Great Walk or visit the kiwi's on nearby Ulva Island.
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Stewart Island
Stewart Island is a short flight or ferry ride from Invercargill. Walk the Rakiura Great Walk or visit the kiwi's on nearby Ulva Island.
Food scene
This little gem is just 1 minutes walk from our house. Whether it's a coffee or a wine, wedges or salmon, the Beachhouse Restaurant and Cafe has it all.
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Beachhouse Restaurant
126 Rocks HwyThis little gem is just 1 minutes walk from our house. Whether it's a coffee or a wine, wedges or salmon, the Beachhouse Restaurant and Cafe has it all.
The Crib Café
135 Palmerston StQuirky cafe with strong coffee shots!
Great variety of food. My favourite is the gluten-free pumpkin and chickpea pie!
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Jacob's River Bakehouse
166 Palmerston StGreat variety of food. My favourite is the gluten-free pumpkin and chickpea pie!
Aparima Restaurant and Bar
17 Orepuki-Riverton HwyAparima Restaurant and Bar - the local blue cod is hard to beat!
Local geology
GeoTours offer guided field trips and tours which take place along the western portion of the Southern Scenic Route with several localities to explore and discover. Te Hikoi museum is the main meeting place for all tours.
GeoTours excursions work around the tides, with the goal always being to explore on the outgoing tide as this is the safest option and allows the best exposure of hidden history! Tour options are varied and flexible to suit different groups and budgets.
GeoTours offers sight seeing adventures with a twist, aiming to inspire you to understand and appreciate the natural landscapes we are surrounded by.
For more info - phone 021 246 2995 info@geotourssouth.co.nz
GeoTours South
172 Palmerston StreetGeoTours offer guided field trips and tours which take place along the western portion of the Southern Scenic Route with several localities to explore and discover. Te Hikoi museum is the main meeting place for all tours.
GeoTours excursions work around the tides, with the goal always being to explore on the outgoing tide as this is the safest option and allows the best exposure of hidden history! Tour options are varied and flexible to suit different groups and budgets.
GeoTours offers sight seeing adventures with a twist, aiming to inspire you to understand and appreciate the natural landscapes we are surrounded by.
For more info - phone 021 246 2995 info@geotourssouth.co.nz
城市觀光建議
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Learn to surf
Learn how to surf or stand-up paddle board in fun and safe environment with all equipment supplied.
Choose from a selection of surfboards and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), plus 4/3 wetsuits and booties to keep warm - this equipment is also available for hire by those who do not require lessons. For groups or families.
Lessons are at the best surfing locations according to the weather, swell size, wind and tides on the day.
All ages are welcome.
Learn to Surf group lessons $60pp or private lessons $180pp
Board hire $40 half day; $50 full day
Call Southland Surf School on 027 864 7230
風俗和文化
Local Churches
St Mary's Anglican Church - 173 Palmerston Street, Sunday 10am.
Hope New Life Church - 157 Palmerston Street, Sunday 10am.
Riverton Union Church - 126 Palmerston Street, Sunday 10am.
St Columbus Catholic Church - 16 Milton Street.
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New Year's Day Riverton Horse Races
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Sporting Amenities
Riverton Golf Course, Carroll Street.
Riverton Bowling, 15 Napier Street.
Riverton Squash Courts, 122 Havelock Street.
Riverton Indoor Swimming Pool, 18 Napier Street.
Riverton Rowing Club, 3 Jetty Street.