Lumsden

Also named after its adjacent river, Oreti, Lumsden is a cool little town just north of Invercargill. As such, those traveling to the town will find vintage buildings on the main streets that house vibrant cafes, bars, and restaurants. The town is a great pit stop to make before reaching the bigger regions that make South Island’s west coast. There, you’ll find Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound—home to some of the prettiest landscapes in New Zealand. As such, whether you’re in Lumsden for a quick coffee or a bit of exploration, you can’t go wrong with spending the night there. The locals are friendly, the fishing is good, the weather is nice and there’s less rain there than in Invercargill.