travel time dunedin balclutha

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Road trip from Balclutha to Dunedin

 driving distance = 79 km.

 Travel time from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand

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Distance between Balclutha and Dunedin

Driving non-stop from balclutha to dunedin.

How far is Dunedin from Balclutha? Here's the quick answer if you make this quick drive without any stops. Of course, traffic is going to make a big difference so make sure you check that before leaving.

Nonstop drive: 49 miles or 79 km

Driving time: 54 minutes

Even on a short drive, it might be more interesting to stop along the way and explore the local area. You can scroll down to see the calculation if you drive with stops .

Flying non-stop from Balclutha to Dunedin

Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the fastest possible straight line between Balclutha, New Zealand and Dunedin, New Zealand. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative Vincenty formula.

Flight distance: 44 miles or 71 km

Flight time: 35 minutes

The straight line flight distance is 5 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.1x of the flight distance.

Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/2th of the time it would take to drive.

This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. In that case, your travel time would really need to include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other airport, and get to your destination.

Balclutha to Dunedin road trip

Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Dunedin, and you want to stop on the way to explore. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. That's what Trippy is perfect for, helping you figure out travel plans in detail.

Road trip: 1 day of driving

With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate your total travel time for this trip.

Travel time: 1 hour on the road

Start in Balclutha .

Drive for about 23 minutes , then stop in Milton (New Zealand) and stay for about 1 hour. Next, drive for another 42 minutes then stop at Tunnel Beach and stay for 1 hour. Finally, drive for about 8 minutes and arrive in Dunedin .

Plan a trip to Dunedin

Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Dunedin, New Zealand. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Dunedin . Trippy members can suggest things to do in Dunedin like Otago Peninsula . Click the button below to explore Dunedin in detail.

How far is it the other way?

The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the distance from Dunedin to Balclutha , or go to the main page to calculate the distance between cities .

If you happen to know Balclutha, don't forget to help other travelers and answer some questions about Balclutha!

More info on this route: drive from Balclutha to Dunedin road conditions alternate routes Google driving directions

Catlins Itinerary: A Day Trip from Dunedin + A Longer Stay

By Author Jon Algie

Posted on Last updated: November 25, 2021

Categories The Catlins

We’ve travelled to the Catlins heaps over the last few years and always seem to find something new to see. Whether you’re doing a day trip to the Catlins or spending a few days in the area, it can be an overwhelming place to plan a trip to (so many beaches and waterfalls!). This Catlins itinerary will show you the best things to see on a day trip to the Catlins, as well as ideas for a longer trip.

Catlins Itinerary

This Catlins itinerary assumes you’re starting in Dunedin and heading south from there. I’ll give you my perfect Catlins day trip itinerary first and then towards the end will show you the best things to see on a two or three-day trip.

Sunrise at Nugget Point

Watching the sunrise at Nugget Point is a great way to start a trip to the Catlins. If you’re coming from Dunedin it’ll take around 90 minutes to reach Nugget Point, meaning you’ll have to have an early start. So worth it though!

If you’re not up for an extremely early morning I’d still recommend making your first stop Nugget Point. It’s most northern of the Catlins attractions and is also a really impressive spot to kick things off with.

Cannibal Bay

You’ll want to visit some beaches on your Catlins trip (it’s home to some of the best beaches in New Zealand after all) and Cannibal Bay is a good one to start with. It’s a shortish drive from Nugget Point and the beach is stunning. You can also walk over to Surat Bay and you’ll get some sweeping views from the headland separating the two.

Quick Stop: Owaka – the biggest town in the Catlins. Stop here for supplies or a bite to eat (or stay here a night if you’re in the Catlins for a few days).

Jack’s Bay / Blowhole

Jack’s Bay is another picturesque beach in the Catlins, but that’s not that main reason to visit. Reached via a short and scenic walking trail, Jack’s Blowhole is a unique spot on the Catlins tourist trail. It wasn’t “blowing” too hard when we were there but we really enjoyed the walk.

Purakaunui Falls

Next up on our one-day Catlins itinerary is Purakaunui Falls , the most famous (but not necessarily the best) waterfall in the Catlins. It’s only a 5-minute walk through the forest and the falls are impressive, especially after rain.

If you’re on a Catlins day trip you’ll probably be close to Papatowai at lunch time. This is a good thing! There’s a cool little café in Papatowai, which is part of the Lost Gypsy Gallery. This place was created by local artist Blair Somerville and has heaps of automata (interactive gadgets basically).

It’s one of the coolest galleries, or artist residences, I’ve seen and is the best non-nature-based thing to do in the Catlins. It’s such a fun place to walk around and the kids will love it. There’s also an area where younger kids aren’t allowed, which is home to heaps more interesting (and often funny) contraptions. There’s also an awesome beach at Papatowai and a big camping ground (and a dairy!).

Florence Hill Lookout and Tautuku Bay

You’ll struggle to find a better roadside viewpoint that Florence Hill Lookout . From the side of the road (well, a big car park) you get a perfect view over Tautuku Bay, and there are a couple of short walks by the beach too. This can be a 5-minute stop or a lot longer – it depends how much time you think you’ll have.

Cathedral Caves

A visit to the Cathedral Caves is only possible close to low-tide, and it seems to close altogether in the colder months. So, don’t have your heart set on visiting this place! It also costs $10 per person, so I can understand people not wanting to pay when every other nature spot is free. Still though, a cool set of a caves assessed via a nice beach!

McLean Falls

McLean Falls is, in my opinion, the best waterfall in the Catlins. It’s a lot bigger than Purakaunui Falls and since it takes a little longer to reach (45-minute round trip walk) it’s quieter. The walk is fairly easy, but you can see why a lot of people skip it in and just do Purakaunui Falls. If you’ve got the time and energy I highly recommend it.

READ MORE: Where Are the Best Waterfalls in the Catlins ?

Curio Bay is the last spot on my Catlins day trip itinerary. If you do all of this it’ll be a full day, but look at all the cool things you’ll see! Curio Bay is a great place to finish. It’s easily one of the best beaches in the region and there are a few unique things about it, including a petrified forest, the chance to see dolphins in the waves right by the beach and the possibility of seeing yellow-eyed penguins.

There’s also a café there and some places to stay, so this could be a good option to stay the night if you’re planning a longer trip. From Curio Bay it’ll take you around 2.5 hours to reach Dunedin.

The Catlins is home to lots of sea lions as well as some penguins and a few dolphins. Yellow-eyed penguins are best seen close to sunset and you’ll see plenty of sea lions at various beaches. You can see dolphins at Curio Bay — we’ve seen them on one out of our four or so trips there.

A Longer Catlins Itinerary

I’ve shown you how much you can see on a day trip to the Catlins, but what about a longer stay? There are heaps more to see, so I’ll break it down into a 2-day trip and a 3 day trip.

In two days I’d recommend doing Nugget Point – Cannibal Bay – Jack’s Blowhole – Purakaunui Falls and then spending the night in Papatowai. Things that aren’t included in my one-day itinerary in that you could do on this day include Tunnel Hill , Purakaunui Bay , Pounawea and Matai Falls . You could also spend a bit more time in Owaka or Balclutha on the way.

READ MORE: 23 of the Best Things to Do in the Catlins

The second day would take you from Papatowai to Cathedral Caves, McLean Falls and Curio Bay to Waipohatu Falls , Slope Point , Waipapa Point Lighthouse and Fortrose. From there you can continue to Invercargill / Queenstown / Te Anau or back to Dunedin. Stop off at Waikawa (just before Curio Bay) if you’re keen to check out a museum (or grab some fish and chips).

If you have three days then you pretty much see everything. I’d add Niagara Falls, Koropuku Falls and spend a bit longer at the beaches. If you have three days you could do all of this in quite relaxed manner – two days might be a bit rushed. Maybe stay in Owaka (or Kaka Point) one night if you have plenty of time — that way you can visit Nugget Point for sunrise without having to get up to early.

However you do it, exploring the Catlins is a lot of fun. There’s so much to see, the distances between places are short and there are places along the way where you won’t see any other tourists. The perfect road-trip destination I reckon!

Did you enjoy our Catlins itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

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• New Zealand

South Island driving times and distances

Get the shortest driving distances and times between cities on the South Island of New Zealand. Choose from a list of 46 South Island cities.

South Island distance calculator

Select a start location and a destination from the list boxes below.

Total Distance: 0 km / 0 mi

Total Time: 00:00 hrs

If you are looking for distances between cities on the North Island, you can use the  North Island driving distances  page. For information about Kaikoura and driving from Picton to Christchurch,  click here .

The following table displays the distances between a few key places on the South Island. All distances are in kilometers.

To get dynamic driving distances and times and see the route displayed on a map, please go to  Google Maps .

There are  scenic driving route videos  available for a few selected scenic routes on the South Island of New Zealand.

Driving times and road conditions

Please remember that driving times depend on road conditions. Things such as rain, snow, or roadworks may slow you down. There are several websites where you can  check driving conditions  on highways in New Zealand.

Always allow for enough time for you to reach your destination so that you do not have to rush and consequently cause an accident. Adding one hour to the estimated driving time is almost always a good thing to do.

For the South Island, in particular, you should also expect to sometimes come across herds of cows or sheep on the road as they are being moved to or from grazing areas. Please be patient as farmers move their stock via the road.

Alternative driving route from Picton to Christchurch

As you may have heard, the last big earthquake that hit New Zealand, and Kaikoura in particular, damaged State Highway 1 and there were slips preventing direct access from Picton to Christchurch via Kaikoura.

The Picton to Christchurch route via State Highway 1 was closed for a while but has been reopened as of December 15, 2017, so you now have two options for traveling from Picton to Christchurch and vice versa via Kaikoura.

You can read more about driving between Christchurch and Picton  here  and  here .

The second route that goes from Picton to Christchurch goes via State Highways 1, 63, 6, 65, and 7 from Picton to Christchurch. This route is open 24/7.

The NZTA estimates the driving time via this route to take approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes and is about 478 km (297 mi) in length.

Google estimates the Picton – Blenheim – Murchison – Christchurch route to take approximately 6 hours and a half. I would add half an hour to this time to accommodate for extra traffic on the road.

Note that you will be going through a pass (Lewis Pass) on this route and that traffic might slow down at times due to trucks also using this route. Just be patient and allow for extra travel time. In addition, Lewis Pass may have snow or can be closed in  winter .

Distances between popular South Island cities

The amount of kilometers between popular cities/towns on the South Island of New Zealand:

• Christchurch – Lake Tekapo : 227 km / 141 mi
• Christchurch – Dunedin: 361 km / 224 mi
• Christchurch – Franz Josef: 379 km / 236 mi
• Christchurch – Greymouth: 241 km / 150 mi
• Christchurch – Omarama: 314 km / 195 mi
• Christchurch – Queenstown : 483 km / 300 mi
• Dunedin – Franz Josef: 554 km / 344 mi
• Dunedin – Gore: 151 km / 94 mi
• Dunedin – Nelson: 770 km / 478 mi
• Dunedin – Queenstown: 282 km / 175 mi
• Picton – Ashburton: 560 km / 348 mi
• Picton – Fairlie: 657 km / 408 mi
• Picton – Invercargill: 1037 km / 644 mi
• Queenstown – Lake Tekapo: 256 km / 159 mi
• Queenstown – Milford Sound: 286 km / 178 mi
• Queenstown – Motueka: 812 km / 505 mi

If you are looking for driving ideas, you can check out the  Short day trips from Queenstown ,  Short day trips from Christchurch , and the  official New Zealand scenic highways and routes  articles.

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A Singaporean's Adventures at Home and Abroad

8 Best Stops: Dunedin to Invercargill & Catlins

The stretch between Dunedin and Invercargill via the Catlins in the southeastern part of New Zealand is a delight to explore .

From mesmerising coastal views to a petrified forest and New Zealand’s southernmost attractions, including adorable penguins, Dunedin to Invercargill via the Catlins is one heck of a scenic road trip.

Scouting for some ideas for your New Zealand road trip? Look no further! I travelled extensively in the islands while on the Working Holiday visa that happened to coincide with the pandemic (lucky me!). Read on to find out more!

I travelled all over New Zealand from 2020 to 2022 as a working holidaymaker throughout the pandemic. This post contains affiliate links that cost nothing to you but support my blog! It may also be updated periodically. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Cheers!

From Dunedin to Invercargill

There are two ways to travel between Dunedin and Invercargill. The fastest way is via State Highway 1, which takes about 2.5 hours, over 204 km.

The slower but beautiful route is by the coast along the Catlins. This route is slightly longer at 240 km and requires 3 hours on the road. It may take even more travelling time during rainy days as there are several sharp and tricky turns.

But who would do this within 3 hours when there are so many stops to explore ? No one unless there is a jam on Highway 1. 

Be kind and spare yourself at least eight hours (or a full day) to complete this one-way road trip, sampling all the worthy stops along the way.

Otherwise, you could break this road trip into 2 or 3 days to explore . This makes for an ideal long weekend trip!

The Southern Scenic Road

The Southern Scenic Road is worth a mention for those who love long multi-days road trips in New Zealand. Our road trip from Dunedin to Invercargill via the Catlins covers only the eastern side of this long road.

The Southern Scenic Road Trip takes the driver from Dunedin to Queenstown , through places like the southernmost city Invercargill, misty Te Anau, and beautiful Milford Sound .

That’s a whopping 610 – 810 km road trip or a supposedly four days’ worth of exploration . If you have a week (or more!) to spare, you could hop onto a ferry and visit Stewart Island for kiwi birds or do some forest hiking.

According to this website , the Southern Scenic Route – the idea – was conceived by the people of Tuatapere in 1985. They wanted to share with others the ‘delights of southern New Zealand with all who took the time to venture down their way’. No doubt, this part of NZ has all the beautiful postcard-perfect visages – from deserted coastlines to towering peaks and majestic fjords.

New Zealand is a trekking haven, and you can find four Great Walks on this Scenic Route: 

• Milford Track , aka one of the most beautiful walks in the world
• Routeburn Track , which cuts from Glenorchy to Milford Road, is equally breathtaking
• Kepler Track , a loop track from Te Anau, with stunning alpine views
• Rakiura Track , which sits on Stewart Island, occupied by the native Kiwi birds

Of course, many less famous but equally spellbound treks nestled within the national parks like the Brewster Glacial trek at Mt Aspiring National Park, and Angelus Hut track in Nelson Lakes National Park.

The Southern Scenic Route is too long with too much to cover. For this post, we will narrow down the attractions between Dunedin and Invercargill.

My list is non-exhaustive. You might have seen many more recommended by Google or some other blogs. But these eight are the must-visits that can be completed within a day.

(1) Dunedin

Dunedin could be your starting or ending point on this road trip with plenty of accommodation to suit any budget. I’ll recommend some places to stay in the later section.

The second largest city on the South Island has a large student population , which explains its youthful vibe .

I have written a ✨detailed✨ blog post about Dunedin , but if you are too meh to check it out, make sure you visit the steepest street in the world ( Baldwin Street ), Tunnel Beach and walk around the Octagon aka CBD.

(2) Nugget Point Lighthouse

Our first stop will need some time and distance to get there, but the view is spectacular .

It takes about 1.5 hours , or 110 km of Highway 1 to reach the Nugget Point Lighthouse. From the carpark, walk another 10 mins on a well-maintained pathway to the lighthouse, and the picturesque view of the ‘nuggets’.

The rocky protrusions look hypnotising in the swirls of the dark blue ocean. But from another perspective, they are a menace for ships, which explains the lighthouse!

See if you can spot the elusive yellow-eyed penguins as you near the lighthouse. There is an observatory spot to catch the penguins and seals just 800 m short of the carpark of Nugget Point. 

These birds are most active on land around or after sunset. I saw my pair of penguins on the track towards Katiki Point Lighthouse, near Moeraki on my road trip from Christchurch to Dunedin (also another 8 stops).

New Zealand Fur Seals are not as rare as you may think. You can find them lounging in Kaikoura, Shag Point , Katiki Point Lighthouse or as you cruise around Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound .

(3) Purakaunui Falls

Carry on with your journey for the next 40 minutes , or 37 km, to the next stunning attraction – a three-tiered cascade in a beech forest.

Purakaunui Falls is one of the most beautiful falls in the Catlins, which deserves some of your time here. 

To get to the waterfall, walk about 10 minutes on a flat but well-maintained path through a forest. It may get slippery when wet so take heed! Descend some stairs to reach the falls.

Make sure you have your camera or smartphone ready to take lots of long-exposure photos of the silky cascade!

(4) McLean Falls

Our next stop takes about 45 minutes or 32 km to yet another gorgeous cascade.

Unlike Purakaunui, which was relatively close to the carpark, it takes some effort to visit McLean Falls. Dedicate an hour for the whole stay, as you’d need to complete the undulating 2.1 km return trail and some more time to admire the impressive 22 m McLean Falls, or even scramble up the slippery rocks.

(5) Cathedral Caves

Situated right opposite – or 6 km/ 11 mins – of the McLean Falls are the coastal caves of Catlins .

The North Island has its desktop-wallpaper-worthy Cathedral Cove that I’m sure any Windows subscribers would recognise. The South has its bigger Cathedral Caves .

While the caves may not be as stunning as the cove, it is still worth some time exploring!

As with the McLean Falls, this needs a bit of walking. Trace a well-formed path through a coastal forest for about a km to reach the beach. Once there, you’ll see the entrance to the cave system.

The biggest chamber is about 30 m high, and the caves have over 200 m passageways. We won’t get to explore all 200 m of them, but sufficient enough to see the best.

The catch to visiting the Cathedral Cave, however, is its short opening hours , which coincide with low tides. Check for the timings here . As the caves are on private Maori property, visiting them is not free. Prepare to spend NZ$10 for its entrance fee per person payable at the gate during your visit. Aside from being inaccessible during high tides, this attraction is also closed from May to October – late autumn to early spring.

(6) Curio Bay

Curio Bay befits the name for the beach filled with a prehistoric fossilised forest . To be exact, the forest dates back to the dinosaurs – Jurassic period – and when New Zealand was part of Gondwana .

Following the bouts of volcanic activities after the dino-wipeout, the forest was destroyed by volcanic debris, only to regenerate again. This cycle happened over four separate incidents. The final episode eventually buried the forest , and the woods were gradually fossilised by minerals .

New Zealand eventually left Gondwana, leaving the coastline exposed to sea erosion. The sea chipped away the clay and sandstone day and night until the forest was once again exposed for us to discover.

I’m not sure about you, but visiting a petrified forest is very novel to me. Do a quick scan on Google, and you’ll see that most of these forests lie on the other side of the planet. I had never heard of the fossilised forest before coming to New Zealand, so you can imagine how excited I was to see the rocky tree imprints.

There is also a walkway with plenty of information boards explaining this long natural process for the interested.

Make sure you time your visit during the low tide, as that’s when the stumps and rocks are out on the reef.

Distance from Cathedral Caves: 35 km, or around 40 mins of driving

(7) The Southernmost Point/ Slope Point

Our final stop before Invercargill is 14.5 km or around 20 minutes from Curio Bay.

The Slope Point is the southernmost point on the South Island – that alone is enticing for anyone to tick off their NZ checklist.

You have to walk across an unpaved, and likely muddy field, to the coast before tracing the cliffs to Slope Point.

I was there on a very windy Winter evening as the sun set. Since we were at the southernmost tip, the wind may have been from the blizzard-cold Antarctica. Trees around the area were so warped and windswept; it is incredible to think they have not given up yet.

(8) Invercargill/ Bluff

Conclude the long day with an hour’s drive or 73 km to Invercargill or Bluff for the night.

I did not stay or spend much of my time in the southernmost city of NZ – Invercargill. All I did in this city was window-shopping and getting the thrill of buying a frappe from the southernmost Starbucks .

What I did do around this area was to take an hour’s ferry ride from Bluff to Oban in Stewart Island and complete the Rakiura Track .

Bluff is this small town famous for its juicy oysters , supposedly the best in the world and NZ’s national treasure. I’m not a frequent oyster slurper to weigh this claim. But I can agree that their raw oysters are indeed fleshy and fresh. If your visit happens to be in May, swing by Bluff for their Oyster and Food Festival .

Aside from oysters, don’t forget to snap some photos with the Bluff International Sign at Stirling Point to prove you have been to the very bottom of New Zealand. The other sign is at the top of New Zealand at Cape Reinga .

Special Mention

Beyond the scenic road trip, there is an overnight track within the Catlins Forest Park for those itching for a weekend hike or forest bathing . I had thoughts of doing it, but time wasn’t being cooperative.

The Catlins River – Wisp Loop Track is a 24 km walk with rivers and suspension bridges in a forest with access to good fishing. The track does not look too taxing on paper, but comment below if I’m wrong!

Where to Stay on this Road Trip

If you’re looking to save money, look for holiday parks, Youth Hostels or backpackers. If you have a self-contained camper, use the CamperMate app to search for free campsites.

Dunedin does not have YHA , so your best bet is to check out the single dorm beds in hostels like On Top Backpackers and Uptown Backpackers (within walking distance to the city centre). These places are very popular amongst working holiday makers and backpackers.

Looking for something fancier and within the city centre? Check out Ebb-Dunedin , a 5-star hotel, which is, as one reviewer pointed out, ‘a beautifully appointed and stylized hotel in the heart of Dunedin’ .

Want to stay by the beach? Check out Hotel St Clair , a boutique beachfront hotel that has direct access to St Clair Beach and the sea.

The Catlins

There aren’t a lot of options for this small quaint town if you’re thinking of calling a night here. But the Kaka Point Views Apartment is worth a stay here for its sea view. The studio apartment comes with its own kitchenette and a balcony – perfect for whipping out a nice romantic home-cooked meal overlooking the sea.

There’s only one campground here: Kaka Point Campground .

Cathedral Caves

Hoping to visit the Cathedral Caves during low tide in the early morning? Consider spending a night at Papatowai, which is about a 15-minute drive from the caves. If you are travelling with a group of friends, or just want to have that fairytale moment of living in a rustic little cottage, check out the Hilltop Accommodation Catlins .

There’s a DOC campsite here with short walks nearby: Papatowai Campsite .

Accommodation is sparse around this area. If you’re a fan of perfect wilderness and the dramatic Milky Way, The Anchorage , located about 2.7 km away from Curio Bay (but along the way towards Curio Bay), is your perfect stay.

The Curio Bay campground is your best bet for camping around this area.

Invercargill

As with Dunedin, there is a range of accommodations to suit all budget levels. For backpackers, go with Southern Comfort or Tuatara Lodge .

For more comfort, opt for the luxurious Ascot Park Hotel or a cosy studio apartment at the Golden Leaf Apartments .

Tips for a memorable road trip

• Off the grid. There are areas with no reception. Pre-download your Google Maps or use offline maps from maps.me .
• Break frequently. Stay alert. Stay hydrated. Break the long drive if you’re feeling tired. I like to use a thermal flask to keep my water chilled or warm depending on the weather.
• Petrol. Set off with a full tank as petrol stations are far from plenty. Use Campermate or Gaspy to locate the nearest petrol stations as they offer up-to-date info from fellow contributors.
• Groceries. Stock up on snacks or food before setting off, or you’ll have to buy them from dairy shops or Foursquare.
• For a one day trip. Pack your lunch and snacks beforehand. We had wraps indulgently stuffed with shredded chicken breast, cheese and cucumber. And apples and Whittaker’s chocolate to keep us company. Don’t forget to bring enough water!
• Prepare for the weather. The attractions are all by the coastal region. Expect strong gales and chilly nights. Layer yourself up with warm jackets and windproof coats .
• Bring a headlamp . Or torch. In case it gets dark and you’re walking in a place without lights.

Conclusion/ Rambles

Moving beyond Invercargill and following the Southern Scenic Route, there is a town called Tuatapere . There isn’t much in this town that crafted the scenic route. You could visit the limestone caves and suspension bridge at the Clifden area , or book a multi-day trek from Tuatapere. This walk, The Humpridge Track , is rumoured to be the next Great Walk.

Beyond Tuatapere lies Te Anau – the gateway to more multi-day treks , including the Kepler Track , and majestic sounds like Doubtful and Milford . Not forgetting the ever-popular Queenstown that everyone loves visiting.

Moving beyond Dunedin towards Christchurch is another road trip with more penguins, cheeses, and the famous Moeraki boulders .

Find more inspiration for your New Zealand road trips and itineraries for the South Island here . And all the attractions I’ve visited on the North Island here . These posts include maps and key locations I’ll highly recommend. Find all my Working Holiday posts on this dedicated page. ✨

Happy planning!❤️

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Balclutha Bridge, Clutha

By Clutha Development

• Salmon and trout fishing
• Blair Athol Walkway

1 hr from Dunedin

1 hr 30 min from Invercargill

The tranquil town of Balclutha famed for its mighty river, its beating heart and the arched bridge over it.

The mighty Clutha river, New Zealand’s most voluminous goes through the heart of Balclutha. The river is an important part of the town’s history - it encouraged farmers to the area and brought fame but mainly fortune with the discovery of gold.

As the largest town in the region, and the gateway to the Catlins coast, Balclutha has a range of shops and services.

The Clutha River is open for salmon and trout fishing all year round. If you need to stretch your legs, the Blair Athol Walkway starts at Naish Park and takes you along the banks of the Clutha River. 

Functional facts: Approx. population 4100, isite Visitor Centre, limited accommodation.

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Where to Next

Clutha long-arrow-right

The Catlins long-arrow-right

Dunedin long-arrow-right

• The Catlins Tour
• Bluff Day Tour
• Western Southland Tour
• Invercargill to Dunedin
• Dunedin to Invercargill
• Invercargill to Te Anau
• Te Anau to Invercargill
• Invercargill to Queenstown
• Queenstown to Invercargill
• How our service works
• Office Hours Update
• Freight Options
• Refunds and Exchanges

DUNEDIN TO INVERCARGILL

Dunedin to invercargill, pick up and drop off locations, how we operate our timetable, find the right fare for you, the benefits of choosing catch-a-bus south.

The driving time from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand is:

Average driving speed: 54.1 mph Kilometers per hour: 87.1 km/h This is based on typical traffic conditions for this route.

• Where to stay in Dunedin?

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Map of driving directions from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand

View a map with driving directions using your preferred map provider: Google Maps , Bing Maps , or MapQuest . You can use DriveDistance.com to find out how far is it to drive from Balclutha to Dunedin with full directions.

More trip calculations

• Driving Distance
• Cost To Drive
• Reverse Driving Time
• Places To Stop
• Hotels near Dunedin, New Zealand
• Flight Duration
• Distance To Fly
• airports near Dunedin, New Zealand
• airlines flying to Dunedin, New Zealand
• Direct Flight
• Time Zone Change

Driving time from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand

How long is the drive from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand? The total driving time is 54 minutes .

Your trip begins in Balclutha, New Zealand. It ends in Dunedin, New Zealand.

If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand .

You can also calculate the cost to drive from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand based on current local gas prices and an estimate of your car's best gas mileage.

If you're meeting a friend, you might be interested in finding the city that is halfway between Balclutha, New Zealand and Dunedin, New Zealand .

Planning to fly a plane instead? You might be more interested in calculating the flight time from Balclutha, New Zealand to Dunedin, New Zealand.

Balclutha, New Zealand

Related links.

• hotels near Balclutha, New Zealand
• airports near Balclutha, New Zealand
• cities near Balclutha, New Zealand

Dunedin, New Zealand

• hotels near Dunedin, New Zealand
• cities near Dunedin, New Zealand

Driving time calculator

Travelmath helps you find the driving time based on actual directions for your road trip. You can find out how long it will take to drive between any two cities, airports, states, countries, or zip codes. This can also help you plan the best route to travel to your destination. Compare the results with the flight time calculator to see how much longer it might take to drive the distance instead of flying. You can also print out pages with a travel map.

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