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Major city · New Zealand

Mataura

Skip as a destination: pass through on SH1 between Gore and Invercargill. Stop only for the museum (open F–Su 1–4pm) or a quick river view.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Mataura is a small Southland service town on State Highway 1, 13 km south of Gore and 53 km north of Invercargill. Its main draw is the Mataura Museum in a restored 1880s cottage, open three afternoons a week. The town has limited food and accommodation; most travellers use it as a brief roadside break rather than a base.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
NZD
Best months
Nov–Apr
avoid Jun–Aug (cold, short days)
Airport
IVC
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Mataura: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
  • New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
  • New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mataura111 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance111
  • Non-urgent police105
  • Traffic*555

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Mataura, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Mataura Museum (Clematis Cottage)Mataura River brown trout fishingTulloch Park pump trackClosed paper mill and freezing works heritage
Airports
IVC Invercargill Airport (53 km (33 mi) south; about 40 min drive)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    9°C (48°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    11°C (52°F)

  9. Sep

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (20°C (68°F)), coolest Jul (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Mataura: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

12 rd

Feb

20°C (68°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Mar

18°C (64°F)

8°C (46°F)

11 rd

Apr

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

12 rd

May

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

14 rd

Jun

10°C (50°F)

2°C (36°F)

15 rd

Jul

9°C (48°F)

1°C (34°F)

14 rd

Aug

11°C (52°F)

2°C (36°F)

13 rd

Sep

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

13 rd

Nov

17°C (63°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Dec

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Mataura is small enough to walk. SH1 runs through the centre. A car is needed to reach the town.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Gorego

Door to door: 10 min

SH1 north, 13 km (8.1 mi), about 10 min drive

Larger town with shops, cafes and the Gore Museum.

Invercargillgo

Door to door: 40 min

SH1 south, 53 km (33 mi), about 40 min drive

Regional hub with restaurants, accommodation and the Southland Museum.

Bluffgo

Door to door: 1 h

SH1 south via Invercargill, about 75 km (47 mi), 1 h drive

Famous for Bluff oysters and the Stirling Point signpost.

The Catlins

go

Door to door: 1.5 h

SH1 south then turn east, about 1.5 h drive to Owaka

Forest, beaches, waterfalls and wildlife; allow a full day.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Mataura township

Very limited options; most visitors stay in Gore (13 km (8.1 mi) north) or Invercargill.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
NZ$50–80 (≈ US$30–50) (no accommodation)
Mid
NZ$80–150 (≈ US$50–90) (no accommodation)
High
NZ$150 (≈ US$90)+ (no accommodation)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
No overnight stay1 × 1 night × NZ$0NZ$0
Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NZ$1NZ$1
Trip total≈ NZ$1 per person per day, bed includedNZ$1≈ under US$1

Most visitors pass through without sleeping.

2026 estimate in NZD; no accommodation needed for a stopover. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffeecheck availabilityNZ$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Pie or sandwichcheck availabilityNZ$5–10 (≈ US$3–6)
Petrol (per litre)checkNZ$2.50–3.00 (≈ US$2)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Mataura is a quiet rural town with low crime. The main risk is driving on SH1, especially in wet or icy conditions. Always carry a phone for emergencies.
  • Mataura Museum is only open Friday–Sunday 1–4pm; check before you go.
  • No supermarket or 24-hour fuel station confirmed; stock up in Gore or Invercargill.
  • The Mataura River can rise quickly after heavy rain; heed local warnings for fishing.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
111
Non-urgent police
105
Traffic
*555

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MatauraMataura

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Ki tēnei wāhi, koaTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance111
  • Non-urgent police105
  • Traffic*555

Embassy

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Gore to Mataura (SH1): 13 km (8.1 mi), about 10 min drive
  • Invercargill to Mataura (SH1): 53 km (33 mi), about 40 min drive

Say or show

  • Kia ora — Hello (kee-ah oh-rah)
  • Kia ora / Thank you — Thank you (kee-ah oh-rah)
  • Āe — Yes (ah-eh)
  • Kāo — No (kah-oh)
  • E hia te utu? — How much is this? (eh hee-ah teh oo-too)
  • Kei hea te wharepaku? — Where is the toilet? (kay heh-ah teh fah-reh-pah-koo)

Māori phrases are widely understood but English is universal.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mataura. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, short days) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to New Zealand

Sources

Ask about Mataura

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