If you love music then check out the Burning Horse Festival which happens every year just 15 minutes up the road from us. So much great music…come and join us for a once in a lifetime experience.
The Local Area
Explore the beauty of Southland
The Royal Mail Hotel is a charming place to stay while you explore the beauty of the South Island. Its location makes it ideal whether you want to relax, explore or challenge your fitness. It all awaits just on our doorstep. Come and join us!
Lumsden is fortunate to be situated as an ideal gateway to many sites and activities in both Southland and Otago. By the same token, there are many opportunities to experience the charms of our community. Our locals are more than happy to provide advice or suggestions around additional activities available. Please enjoy our relaxed atmosphere and easy going ‘Kiwi’ hospitality!
Explore Lumsden
There are so many great things to see and do right here in Lumsden. There are several options for daytime and evening dining including Route 6 Cafe and Bar, The Lumsden Hotel and Restaurant and Roasted & Toasted Cafe. The Five Fingers Craft Shop also have a delightful selection of locally and handmade crafts including knitting, crocheting and wood working items. Come and stroll our main street and see all the treasures of Lumsden!
Jet Boating in the wilderness
One experience not to be missed in our great southern land is a jet boat trip with Wairaurahiri Jet Boat Tours. Run by Johan and his wife Joyce, they operate a once in a lifetime experience in the breathtaking location of Fiordland. This is definitely an “off the beaten track” experience but only an hour away from Lumsden. Quoted as “the best jet boat ride in the country” by one of our past guests, it is not an opportunity to be missed!
The Rivers
The Oreti River runs close to Lumsden and surrounding townships, offering swimming, fishing, and boating within minutes of our hotel. These crystal clear waters offer world-class trout fishing. Additionally, the scenery presents a rare place to truly relax and unwind, away from the distractions of busy modern life.
Further away, the Mataura river supports a thriving bird and fish population. It can be accessed from Gore (45 minutes away), or Mataura (1 hour away). The river originates from the great Lake Wakatipu and is a popular spot for fly fishing in particular. Further information about fishing is available here.
Biking
Riding through Lumsden on the iconic Around the Mountains Cycle Trail provides riders with a fun, active way to take in many of the most beautiful natural resources of New Zealand. There are many options available to suit varied time frames and ability levels.
For the less adventurous, Lumsden’s quiet nature means that bike riding is a safe way to see the town and explore our stores and surrounding farmland. Be sure to wear a helmet!
Hunting
Our area is rich in potential hunting experiences, if you’re game! Southland is home to red deer, fallow deer, goats, chamois, pigs and rabbits. If you work up an appetite but are unsuccessful in your pursuit, we recommend heading to the Moose Bar in neighbouring Te Anau to learn about the history of moose hunting in New Zealand, as well as enjoying some lovely craft beers.
Further information is available here.
Adrenaline
If our slow paced Lumsden lifestyle lowers your blood pressure a little too much – we can only recommend a day trip to Queenstown! Once you’ve driven along the Devil’s Staircase and arrived safely beyond Lake Wakatipu (1 hour) many adventures await.
Skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning… the list goes on. Visit here to learn more.
Walking & hiking
Lumsden offers fantastic local walking paths to bring you outdoors and into our fabulous landscape. You can take a quiet stroll down to the Oreti River and take in the amazing alpine views or share the cycle trail with other adventurists. Short stroll or longer tramp…it’s all right here for you to choose.
If you are keen to get out of Lumsden for the day, there are many local walks within a short drive available to explore including the Eyre Mountains, Dolomore Park, Piano Flat & Waikaia Forest as well as Mavora Lakes.
Beautiful and tranquil scenery awaits! Lace up your hiking boots and start your tramp!
Gateway to Fiordland
Just 45 mins away, Te Anau serves as a great place to kick off adventures in Milford or Doubtful Sound. There are also many family friendly attractions with Te Anau. We recommend the overnight cruise within Doubtful Sound, or a walk along the gorgeous lakefront of Lake Te Anau, There are many tour companies that operate out of Te Anau, including Real Journeys, Fiordland Tours and Intercity.
Art Galleries
Athol Art Gallery is located along highway 6 making it the perfect midpoint place to stop on your journey from Queenstown to Lumsden. The gallery features the artwork of many local established and new artists with representations of rural life here on the South Island. This is a stop not to be missed…and you might be tempted to bring home a one of a kind, timeless souvenir from our beautiful part of the world.
He Waka Tuia Invercargill houses an amazing collection of New Zealand and international art, which has grown to over 1000 pieces. Encompassing early to contemporary pieces, the permanent collection showcases the vast and changing nature of artistic evolution. The permanent collection includes a number of works by well-known New Zealand greats such as Charles F Goldie, Rita Angus, Colin McCahon and Ralph Hotere, as well as many contemporary artists including Gregor Kregar and Alvin Pankhurst. Invercargill is just an hour south of Lumsden and is a great day trip destination!
The Music Scene
The Tussock Country Music Festival draws the crowds every year with its unique mix of world class music and food.
