Geography of Southland
Geography of Southland: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of Southland
Lake Wakatipu is 73 mi to the north-east, Queenstown is 74 mi to the north-east, Queenstown Airport is 77 mi to the north-east and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand is 94 mi to the north.
Map of Southland
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 46°0′0″S 168°0′0″E (-46, 168)
Quick facts about Southland
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 46°0′0″S 168°0′0″E (-46, 168) |
| Population | 102.000 |
| Local time | 2:02 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | January and February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Geography by national park in Southland
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Geography by attraction in Southland
1 attractions mapped in this atlas
Summary
Southland is a region in New Zealand. Southland is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 102.000.
Right now it is 40°F (5°C) in Southland with light snow showers. It feels like 30°F. Today runs from 37°F to 49°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 3.4/10 - poor - consider another day.
The best time to visit Southland is January and February. The climate is temperate. June, September and October tend to be the least comfortable months. February is the warmest month with average highs near 64°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 34°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 77 mi away. Nearby highlights include Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 49°F is in line with the 49°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 11 AM to 2 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in Southland today at 7.6/10. Gusts to 50 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Snow is falling now - expect reduced traction and slower journeys.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in Southland month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63° | 47° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| February | 64° | 47° | 4,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 61° | 45° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 57° | 43° | 3,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 52° | 39° | 3,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 48° | 36° | 4,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 47° | 34° | 3,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 49° | 34° | 2,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 52° | 38° | 7,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 54° | 40° | 6,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 59° | 42° | 4,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 62° | 47° | 5,4 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Explore Southland
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Geography for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Southland?
Southland is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -46, 168. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in Southland right now?
It is currently 40°F (5°C) with light snow showers. Humidity is 86% and wind is 16 mph.
When is the best time to visit Southland?
January and February offer the most comfortable conditions in Southland, which has a temperate climate. June, September and October are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Southland in?
Southland observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 2:02 PM.
How many people live in Southland?
Southland has a population of approximately 102.000.
What is the nearest airport to Southland?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 77 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Southland?
Popular options include Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand, South Island and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
What places are in Southland?
Southland covers 2 places in this atlas, including Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
