Head down to Gore multisport complex when the weather outside is limiting your everyday social and physical pursuits. Try your hand at some ice-skating on their Olympic size short course rink, suitable for figure skating, ice hockey as well as curling. Alternatively you can get your heart pumping at their four court stadium or hockey turf, before you settle at the aquatic centre for a well deserved soak in the hydrotherapy pool. Bring the kids along with you and enjoy the multitude of activities that the Multi-sports Complex has to offer.

With experiences that cater from the experienced to the novice, the Velodrome is a great way to try your hand at cycling in Southland’s prized possession. The meticulously designed structure is part of a wider programme to inspire communities to live healthy, happy lives. With programmes running for all abilities and ages, the indoor facility can meet with you personally to discuss your needs and expectations. Great fun for the whole family!

Now it might be a drive away – but if the skies have opened and you’re lost for inspiration for activities, an incredible sight awaits you at Milford Sound! Picturesque mountains laden with rock that cascade with waterfalls in every direction is a sight that will inspire and leave you breathless. If you desire more than the sights you can see at the Visitor Centre, board on of their short cruises that take you up close to the action – under waterfalls, into the hidden crevices of the Sound, and out to view the exquisite Mitre Peak in all its glory. See for yourself why Milford Sound truly is the most beautiful location in New Zealand.

The grand Civic Theatre of Invercargill showcases the majority of performing arts productions and films that travel nationally. The building is classified as being of national significance according to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. When entered, the Theatre itself can only be described as one word – wondrous. As well as providing a vast selection of arts and cultural activities, the Theatre also has areas of which you can hire for functions and gatherings. Experience for yourself the wonder of the Civic Theatre’s Edwardian decor and atmosphere.

Get them while they’re available! Miles Better Pies are a specialised bakery located in Te Anau. They close for the Winter months while Te Anau is less dense and announce their revival in Spring with an abundance of new flavours for you to experience! Pay them a visit early in the day and get the full range of delicacies they have to offer, but don’t dawdle, they close around 2pm each day!

Situated on the main street of Gore, Oven Fresh Bakery is the ideal location to drop in if you’re feeling peckish or need to pick up some lunch on the go! A popular favourite of the locals is the succulent lamb and mint pie, bursting with rich, sweet aroma and crispy pastry. Try one for yourself!

If you fancy a bit of sightseeing - perhaps embark on an ambitious escapade to clamber up Bluff Hill you’re going to wind up pretty exhausted and hungry! Stella’s Cafe is ideal when you need a place to relax, unwind and replenish. Try their well-known chicken curry pie, they sell out quick!

Drop in at the Bakery around mid-morning and you’ll be blown away! Tradesmen, school children, and ladies out for coffee are just a few of the many customers that frequent this Bakery daily. The Bakery is known for their vast range of pastry treats, but more importantly than that - they are here to satisfy your cravings. Call up prior to dropping by and take advantage of their made-to-order pie selection they can offer you. Make sure you get the flavour you’ve been craving and give The Bakery a call this morning!

Feeling peckish on the go? On the outskirts of Invercargill city is the solution you have been seeking. Predominantly known for their substantial array of muffins and pies - Make ‘n’ Bake have mastered the art of culinary treats. Try their mouthwatering flaky, sweet pastry pies and see for yourself why their reputation lives on!

Are you in search of a delectable cut of Hereford Ribeye? The Thar & Feather has one of the most extensive selections of red meat available in the one restaurant. The meat is cooked through according to your discretion and served with your favourite accompanists. The qualities of this restaurant that distinguish it from others is their desire to create a meal that satisfies your expectations – What more could you request?

Nestled in a quaint cottage off the main street of Te Anau hides the finest in Beef and Lamb dining in all of Southland. The Redcliff menu incorporates a range of wild foods and local favourites. The range of proteins are often paired with daring new flavours that accompany the dish in a manner that can only be described as absolute perfection. The Redcliff pays respect to the produce and provides stunning fine dining for all guests.

Take a walk on the finer side of life with Level One Restaurant on Kelvin Street, Invercargill. A popular choice amongst locals, Level One Restaurant pays tribute to our fresh local meat and produce through treating each element on your dish with unequivocal respect. If you are in search of a mouth-watering feast that with tantalise your taste buds, experience all that Level One Restaurant has to offer today.

Emberz restaurant incorporates flavours that appeal to those with singular tastes. The elicit flavour combinations appeal to the quality Beef and Lamb which result in a dish that is full of flavour and guaranteed to satisfy. The Persian Spice Southland Lamb is a favourite of mine, full bodied aroma and mouth-watering succulent lamb strips is accentuated by the bittersweet, earthy taste of the saffron potatoes.

Fiordland Cinema has a refined selection of movies including locally produced Ata Whenua which explores the sights and wonders of exquisite Fiordland. Fiordland Cinema is an absolute bliss to experience; With convenient interludes mid-film and a selection of some of the finest wines New Zealand has to offer, your experience at Fiordland Cinema is sure to please.

For a trusted and true meal try the Fat Duck in Te Anau! The meal boasts large, sumptuous meals from brunch through to dinner for a very modest price. Designed as a versatile restaurant, the Fat Duck décor includes outdoor bean bags, couches and an indoor/outdoor flow that is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. If you want a definite way to begin your night with a bang, try the Fat Duck this weekend!

Invercargill’s one and only cinema has proven its worth as enough to satisfy the wider Southland region. Reading Cinema offers several viewing rooms on colossal screens that screen movies in both 2D and 3D. Make your night memorable by selecting the perfect film from the variety of movies Reading Cinema has to offer; Or while you take a moment to ponder which selection of treats you crave, send your partner, friends or children over to the games area to entertain themselves pre-movie.

Level One restaurant has one of the more elaborate menus in Invercargill. Level One is the ideal location for a special occasion or work function. The restaurant features a contemporary design throughout as well as a bar next door and sought after accommodation above. For a entertaining night, Level One is always the preference.

Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms. Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary. The trip takes 2 hours and 15 minutes in total, including a boat trip across the lake. This is a wonderful family trip, suitable for all ages with the exception of infants.

Experience for yourself one of New Zealand’s endangered species – in fact, bring your togs and swim with them! The Hectors dolphins are tiny, growing to a mere 1.5 metres in length. But that’s not all Curio Bay has to offer! There are also an abundance of fossilised remains of an ancient forest to be seen at low tide, as well as walking tracks and other wildlife such as yellow eyed penguins, fur seals and seal lions.

Make a new friend a take a ride down the Bluff coast – on horseback! Tara Downs Horse Treks are a locally owned family business that harnesses the great outdoors that the coast has to offer. Experience a gorgeous location that is otherwise left uninhabited and learn some new skills by the passionate and highly trained team!

Southern Outdoor Instruction operates year round offering flexible, multi-day, family friendly adventure tours for small groups. The tours are based along the Southern Scenic Route and also extend into Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka. Learn some new survival skills, practice rock climbing, camp beside lake, toast a marshmallow on an open fire. You can create your own customised family programme suited to your needs. For any families wanting to do outdoor activities, experience what Southern Outdoor Instruction can offer you!

The Pavilion at Colac Bay offers spectacular ocean views while you dine at this exclusive restaurant. Their food is fresh, local, complicated and pays tribute to the classic Kiwi favourites that our nation favours. Try their sumptuous winter menu including a range of gourmet pies and delicious soups – all made fresh daily!

The Thar & Feather is the latest dining sensation in Invercargill. Featuring a fireplace, lounge area, and outside dining courtyard, the restaurant offers some wonderful Southland classics as well as their famous smokehouse meals. These dishes are for the lovers of fragrantly smoked foods and juicy, tender meat that will fall off the bone. Delicious!

Hearty food, great atmosphere and Irish music in abundance makes Waxy’s a popular choice for locals. All day dining with some quintessential Emerald Isle favourites such as the Beef and Guinness Hot pot, Irish stew, Salmon Galway and Bailey’s cheesecake are guaranteed to satisfy on those chilly Winter days!

Want to indulge a little this Winter? Buster Crabb boasts enormous meals with beautiful fresh produce. Settle in to the cosy restaurant and lose yourself in the unique and tasteful ambiance this little gem provides. A slowly braised lamb shank and a great glass of vino – what more could you ask for?

Head in and cosy up with a glass of mulled wine for a well deserved natter with some of your closest friends. The Magnolia Tree is not only a sought after cafe but also features a lavish menu that will make your taste buds sing in desire! Twice cooked pork belly paired with one of their unique cheesecakes is a combination to be craved. Try it for yourself!