Otago and Southland

South Island Seascapes

Photographs by expert landscape photographer Meghan Maloney of Cambridge, WKO, NZL

New Zealand’s South Island has extraordinarily diverse landscapes that range from rolling green hills to majestic mountains, temperate rainforests to arid plains, countless glaciers to deep fiords. Otago and Southland make up the southernmost portion of South Island, where one can find the most dramatic topography and picturesque marine environments.

Nugget Point, Catlins, Southland, by Meghan Maloney

From 80 to 85 million years ago a large section of land broke free from what was then Antarctica and Australia, forming what we know of today as Zealandia, the world’s largest microcontinent. Most of the landmass sunk into the Pacific Ocean as it drifted. Around 25 million years ago activity along the Australian and Pacific tectonic plate boundary pushed Earth upward above sea level. Most of Zealandia remains submerged today, yet there are over 600 smaller islands and two main islands above sea level, North Island and South Island.

Sunrise over Brighton Beach, Dunedin, Southland, by Meghan Maloney

New Zealand’s wildlife evolved in near-complete isolation for millions of years before Polynesian explorers discovered the mini-continent in the 13th century. The Māori culture was developed by descendants of early Polynesians over centuries, and is still a vibrant, protected part of modern life to this day.

A Fiery Dawn Over the Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach, Otago coast, South Island

Otago and Southland are must-see destinations for anyone travelling to New Zealand’s South Island. You won’t want to miss their towering cliffs, temperate rainforests, gold-sand beaches, and biodiverse marine wildlife that includes dolphins, sea lions, seals, and whales.