Queenstown joins Southern Scenic RouteTHE Southern Scenic Route has now been extended to include Queenstown. Destination Queenstown was invited to join the route steering group by current members Venture Southland, Tourism Dunedin, Destination Fiordland, Clutha District Council, DoC and New Zealand Transport Agency. The 440km road trip was previously a half loop between Dunedin and Te Anau through Balclutha, the Catlins, Invercargill, Bluff, Riverton and Tuatapere. It will now extend an extra 161km to Queenstown, taking in Mossburn, Five Rivers, Athol, Garston and Kingston. Showcase Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt says: “The Southern Scenic Route brings together the best of the south and is a fantastic way to promote and showcase our natural environment and scenery, wildlife, heritage, and people. As New Zealand's oldest touring route, it's a truly iconic experience. “Queenstown's addition at this time refl ects the growth of the region as a tourism hub. By providing visitors with an international airport at each end of the route, in Queenstown and Dunedin, it's even easier for visitors to access. “The Southern Scenic Route allows our international visitors a chance to explore on their own, to fi nd hidden lakes and side roads, to meet local characters and experience southern hospitality - to fi nd the real New Zealand. It's also the perfect motivation for Kiwis to come and rediscover the south.” Idea The idea for the route came in 1985 by Tuatapere locals John Fraser and Les Hutchins who came up with the concept independently but almost simultaneously. After much hard work and lobbying, the Southern Scenic Route offi cially opened in 1988 and has since fi rmly established itself as a must do experience. Mr Fraser says: “Our original concept was for the Southern Scenic Route to be between Queenstown and Dunedin but it proved to be a logistical nightmare at the time. It's fantastic that it's finally come to fruition.”
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