Mossburn: Deer Farm and Mountain Scenery

Mossburn combines a striking mountain backdrop with a distinctive chapter in New Zealand’s agricultural history: the country’s first deer farm was established here in 1972. The Fiordland Mountains form the backdrop to the town. If you’re looking for a holiday home, Mossburn offers two clear attractions as a destination: mountain scenery and the history of deer farming.

Local life and activities in Mossburn

There’s also a specific local place to take a break: Bracken Hall is a rest stop in Mossburn, as well as a café and gift shop. As operator details can change, check the latest information before planning a visit.

Mossburn Golf Club has a nine-hole course on flat terrain, with the Takitimu and Eyre Mountains range in the background. This adds a sporting dimension to the town’s historical and scenic character. Check current playing options separately before your trip.

More travel experiences in Southland District

The wider Southland District offers additional, clearly distinct experiences. The Hump Ridge Track is a three-day loop across subalpine heights and along a rugged coastline in southern Fiordland. It opened as New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk on 25 October 2024. The route also includes a short interpretive walk around the historic Port Craig sawmill site. This regional example therefore combines a multi-day hike with a stop focused on sawmilling history.

On Stewart Island/Rakiura, Oban is the only settlement. It can be reached from Invercargill by a 20-minute flight, or from Bluff by a one-hour ferry crossing of Foveaux Strait. If you’re planning to take the ferry, it’s worth checking the latest timetable.

Another nature-focused experience in Southland District is Ulva Island/Te Wharawhara, an open sanctuary with well-maintained tracks for people of all ages and fitness levels. The island was declared rat-free after a successful eradication programme. Its relatively unspoiled state makes it important for protecting threatened species.

Punanga Manu o Te Anau/Te Anau Bird Sanctuary is also in Southland District, on the shore of Lake Te Anau. It’s a 20-minute walk or a 2-minute drive from the Te Rua-o-te-Moko/Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre. The Bird Sanctuary offers self-guided visits and on-site activities for children. Pairs of takahē support the Takahē Recovery Programme by raising chicks, which are released at around one year old into predator-controlled areas in the wild.

For choosing where to stay, the key comparison is the kind of holiday you want: Mossburn combines local history, mountain scenery and golf, while the regional examples in Southland District range from a three-day hiking route to self-guided visits with activities for children. Consider what you want your trip to focus on, and use that to guide your search for a holiday home.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Manapouri, Monowai, Papatotara, The Key, Otautau, Dipton, Garston, Te Anau

For the overview of the wider destination: Southland District.