Fiordland & Southland - New Zealand - page 1169

On SH99, around 10km south of Tuatapere, stop at the spectacular lookout at
McCracken's Rest . Cast your eye down the arcing sweep of Te Waewae Bay - where
Hector's dolphins and southern right whales are occasionally sighted - to the snowy
peaks of Fiordland.
Just past Urepuki is the turn-off for Monkey Island , a grassy islet just metres off shore
and accessible at low tide. The beach is a great spot at sunset.
Colac Bay is a popular holiday place and a good surfing spot. Southerlies provide the
best swells here, but it's pretty consistent year-round and never crowded. Colac Bay Tav-
ern & Holiday Park ( 03-234 8399; www.colacbaytavern.co.nz ; 15 Colac Bay Rd; meals $15-27,
sites from $13, cabins s/d $33/62; ) is a welcoming spot for a meal of wood-fired pizza
or fish and chips, with the convenience of a decent camping ground with basic rooms out
the back.
For more information on Tuatapere and the Western Southland area, see
www.westernsouthland.co.nz .
Riverton & Around
POP 1430
Quiet little Riverton, only 38km short of Invercargill, is worth a lunch stop and, if near-
Antarctic swimming takes your fancy, the Riverton Rocks area and Taramea Bay are
good for a dip. Across from the beach you will find the Beach House (126 Rocks Hwy;
mains $16-35; 10am-10pm; ) , a stylish, comfortable cafe famous for seafood, espe-
cially its creamy chowder. On a sunny summer's day the outside tables are a must. The
other 90% of the time, retire inside to admire the view through the window.
Riverton really does rock, but its fascinating geological make-up is only part of the
story, as you will discover at Te Hikoi Southern Journey ( 03-234 8260;
www.tehikoi.co.nz ; adult/child $6/free; 10am-5pm Oct-Apr, to 4pm May-Sep) . This cracker
little museum relates local stories in clever and inspiring ways. Oh, that all small-town
museums could be this good! Inside you will also find the Riverton Visitor Information
Centre , which can assist with maps and heritage trails, as well accommodation.
Just along the road in an insanely turquoise building that has been various forms of
eatery since 1891, Mrs Clark's Café (108 Palmerston St; meals $12-25; 7am-4pm; )
serves thoroughly contemporary and delicious daytime food (beaut baking!) alongside
ace espresso and craft beer.
The South Coast Environment Centre ( www.sces.org.nz ; 154 Palmerston St) has a good
range of organic groceries and is the local WWOOF agent.