MAKAREWA BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Between Invercargill and Te Anau: A Southland Passage Run by an Award‑Winning Operator
Catch a Bus South runs a scheduled service from Invercargill to Te Anau with stops such as Five Rivers Cafe and options for charters and special drop‑offs—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
Between Invercargill and Te Anau: A Southland Passage Run by an Award‑Winning Operator.
Ride the route from Invercargill toward Te Anau with Catch a Bus South and travel through some of New Zealand’s celebrated Southland landscapes while relying on an operator recognized repeatedly on TripAdvisor; book early to secure seats, arrange charters, or confirm special drop‑offs.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Award‑winning service you can rely on
Catch a Bus South is a highly rated operator—recipient of multiple Traveller’s Choice awards and recognized among TripAdvisor’s top operators—so the route benefits from an established, professional service and guidance on bookings and charters.
Five Rivers Cafe and Tracknet connections
The service links Invercargill with waypoints such as Five Rivers Cafe, where Tracknet passengers are picked up in the lay‑by opposite the cafe entrance (approx 11.50am), though that transfer may be delayed by road or traffic constraints.
Charters, cyclist pickups and tailored drop‑offs
Beyond the scheduled route, Catch a Bus South offers charters year‑round (from $600) and can arrange prebooked pick‑ups or drop‑offs—such as Tuatapere for the Humpridge Track or cyclist transfers at Mavora Bus Shelter—provided these are booked in advance and rung in to confirm.
What the day feels like
What the trip feels like
The journey is less an expedition than a dependable connector across Southland: scheduled departures ex Invercargill, a planned stop at Five Rivers Cafe where transit connections can be made, and onward travel to Te Anau—with charter options and special drop‑offs available when arranged in advance.
THE OPERATOR
Award‑winning service you can rely on
Catch a Bus South is a highly rated operator—recipient of multiple Traveller’s Choice awards and recognized among TripAdvisor’s top operators—so the route benefits from an established, professional service and guidance on bookings and charters.
THE ROUTE
Five Rivers Cafe and Tracknet connections
The service links Invercargill with waypoints such as Five Rivers Cafe, where Tracknet passengers are picked up in the lay‑by opposite the cafe entrance (approx 11.50am), though that transfer may be delayed by road or traffic constraints.
FLEXIBILITY
Charters, cyclist pickups and tailored drop‑offs
Beyond the scheduled route, Catch a Bus South offers charters year‑round (from $600) and can arrange prebooked pick‑ups or drop‑offs—such as Tuatapere for the Humpridge Track or cyclist transfers at Mavora Bus Shelter—provided these are booked in advance and rung in to confirm.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this service suits—and who should make extra arrangements.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Small parcels or freight must be rung to book; weight limits apply: items 16–30kg require a second able‑bodied person to assist with lifting at both ends; items 31kg and above will not be carried. Oversized objects are carried subject to space and the operator’s assessment.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Are charters available year‑round?
Yes—charter service is available all year round, with charters starting from $600 when booked with adequate notice.
Where does the service meet and depart?
The service meets and departs ex Invercargill, New Zealand.
What happens at Five Rivers Cafe?
Passengers transferring to Tracknet wait in the lay‑by opposite the cafe entrance for a pickup scheduled at approx 11.50am; that transfer may be delayed by road or traffic constraints.
Can you arrange special drop‑offs, for example Tuatapere or cyclist transfers?
Yes—prebooked drop‑offs to Tuatapere (for the Humpridge Track) and cyclist pick‑ups/drop‑offs from Mavora Bus Shelter to Mossburn or Te Anau can be arranged but must be rung in and booked before the day; these services are not available on CodeShare days.
What are the rules for parcels and freight?
Parcels and small freight must be rung to book; items 16–30kg require a second able‑bodied person to assist lifting at both ends, items over 31kg will not be carried, and oversized items are subject to space availability and operator approval.
What is CodeShare and how might it affect my trip?
The operator may run a CodeShare with another provider if bookings are insufficient, which can mean traveling on a Queenstown service to Five Rivers Cafe and awaiting the Tracknet bus; some drop‑off destinations may become unavailable and arrival in Te Anau may be delayed by up to an hour.