bed and breakfast accommodation
ToiToi Papatotara
Up to 5 Guests
Open: Sept - April
Breakfast included
$160 per night (for 2 ppl)
Ocean view
Closed: May - August
Bed and breakfast Accomodation
Private Room with Own Entrance
Looking for accomodation in Western Southland? With its own entrance, lounge & separate bathroom/toilet, ToiToi Papatotara is private bed and breakfast accomodation at the end wing of our home where we live.
It has an amazing ocean view, which you can enjoy from the outdoor spa (hot tub), or whilst you lay in bed.
To the left is the distant view of Stewart Island and to the right is the stunning Fiordland National Park within which sits the latest NZ Great Walk addition – the Hump Ridge Track.
Our location makes us the perfect place to stay before and/or after walking the Hump Ridge Track. If you’re exploring Southland, want to relax for a few days, or just want to soak up the view from the spa or deck, then we’re still the right place for your stay!
Due to our southern location and lack of light pollution we are in an ideal spot to capture the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) when the conditions are right. The best times to see the southern lights or Aurora Australis in Aotearoa New Zealand is from March to September, when the dark night skies are longer. The first four images above were taken in October 2023 or December 2023 and the next four images were captured during October 2024.
The “Dancing Lady” as we affectionately call her, is viewable mostly in-camera so you will need a camera that is capable of a long exposure – ideally between 3-30seconds. Occasionally (but not often) the aurora is so strong, it is visible to the naked eye in white or green colours.
TUATAPERE & SURROUNDING DISTRICTS
Area Information
ToiToi Papatotara is a short 12km drive from the Tuatapere township. It is approximately 97kms to Invercargill airport and only two and half hours drive to Queenstown. We are the perfect place to stop for a few days in Southland!
Cafe/Restaurants/Food
Four Square, Main Street, Tuatapere: Pop in and say hi to Mark and Raissa, owners of our local Four Square in Tuatapere. The in-store deli has fresh sandwiches, hot food to go and ready made meals just waiting for you! Plus almost everything else you’d get at a supermarket in the city. There’s a pretty decent selection of non-alcoholic drinks, wine, beer or cider. Friendly staff too!
Tui Base Camp, Main Street,Tuatapere: Great place for lunch or dinner – or a quiet drink and a game of pool if you wish. It’s the local, food is good, beer is cold and the selection of wines is ok. (Cafe/Bar/Restaurant) Plus this is where you can buy the famous Tuatapere Sausages!
Hungry Hippo, Main Street, Tuatapere: Takeaways more your style? The Blue Cod fish burger is THE best! Fish and chips are not bad either – but make sure you get blue cod – it really is the best the fish down here!
Waiau Town & Country Club, King Street, Tuatapere: Associated members welcome! Bistro open from 5pm Thursday to Sunday.
Orepuki Beach Cafe, Orepuki: Fabulous coffee, great food. On State Highway 99 – the coastal way to drive to Invercargill, Orepuki Beach Cafe is the perfect pitstop! (Not open on a Monday and it gets really busy on the weekends!)
Brunel Peaks Cafe & Bar, Monowai: Stunning location, great atmosphere & food. Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Takitimu Mountains it’s the perfect place to take a drive to … (it’s worth driving all the way down the end of the road to check out Lake Monowai (Not open on Monday/Tuesday).
Local Highlights
To the West
Clifden Suspension Bridge: This historic suspension bridge was an important transport link in what was a relatively remote part of Southland; opening up of the area east of the Waiau River. It was built in 1898-99 to replace a punt which had operated since the early days of settlement.
Clifden Caves: Explore limestone cave systems and view stalactites and glow worms at the Clifden Caves, one of the only underground caves in Southland.
To the East
McCracken’s Rest: On a clear day the views are stunning. Perfect place to stop and read a bit of history on the area.
Gemstone Beach: Everyone loves this beach – rugged on winter’s day, rugged on a summer’s day. And if you’re lucky, you might just find a handful of ‘gemstones’ to take home!
Monkey Island: This is a great beach to visit. Sorry there’s no actual monkeys – but if the tide is out you can walk over the lookout atop a small hill – or just stroll along the gorgeous sandy beach!
Cosy Nook: Cosy Nook is a picturesque rocky cove sheltering several fishing boats and holiday cribs. It is an important cultural and historical Maori settlement site.
Things to Do
Hump Ridge Track: A Great Walk from 2023: Winding across some of New Zealand’s wildest landscape, this 62km, 3 day, 2 nights hike traverses through Fiordland National Park, through ancient and regenerating forest, across Maori land and along deserted coastline. Find out more
Not walking the track but would still like to try some of the track? This is perfect too! It’s a lovely walk through the first part of the track down to the “Waik” or a bit further to Blowholes Beach. Mind those sandflies though!
Tuatapere Tui Trails: A series of short walks through the Tuatapere Township. Grab the trails pamphlet from the side table in your lounge area and check them out!
Te Hikoi Museum and Information Centre: Discover the unique history in one of New Zealand’s oldest towns, Riverton (Aparima). They also have a beautiful retail store and an information centre.
Stirling Point, Bluff: Not quite the most southern point of NZ (Slope Point has that honour) but it’s the next best thing! And of course you need to have your photo taken by the sign! Keep an eye out for the Maui’s link too!
Day Trips
Lake Hauroko: New Zealand’s deepest lake! Stunning views around the lake or if you are game and up for the challenge, hike to the top of the lookout – the views are totally worth the climb. It is steep and it will take between 2 and half to 3 hours return.
Lake Monowai: 56 minute drive from ToiToi Papatotara (on the way to Te Anau, turn off at Blackmount). You must stop at the gorgeous Brunnel Peaks cafe for a hot/cold drink and bite to eat first though! One of the smaller southern glacial lakes, Lake Monowai is shaped like a boomerang and set amongst beautiful mountainous country and native bush. It is drained in the northeast by the short Monowai River, which then enters the Waiau River.
Lake Manapouri: Great drive (only 45 minutes) to this stunning lake – plus there’s a couple of places to get a coffee and a bite to eat. Awesome walk along the lakefront. Lake Manapouri is considered one of New Zealand’s most picturesque lakes. Lake Manapouri is also the gateway to the breathtaking Doubtful Sound. If you have the time, an overnight cruise with Real Journeys in Doubtful Sound is well worth the $$.
Milford Sound: Stunning place, interesting drive (can be very busy with traffic). Lots of places of interest to stop at along the way. Highly recommend checking out the day tours that local companies in Te Anau offer. Takes the pressure of knowing what to see and of course driving on an unfamiliar road. Plus those drivers are a wealth of local knowledge. A must do trip if you’re in Southland!
Bed and Breakfast Accomodation
Guest Reviews
The view, amazing beach. Very helpful hosts. The location! Just not enough time spent there!
Great stay with a very generous breakfast. The perfect accommodation for the Humpridge track
Clean and welcoming. (Especially Ohla) Lovely stay, very comfortable. Close to Humpridge Track. Lovely fresh eggs and salad – Thanks! Good variety for breakfast. Enjoyed the spa too. Lovely view.
Great visit – wish we could stay longer! Very new and clean. Great view. Friendly owners. Good variety for breakfast.
At first the apartment looked very beautiful on the homepage when booking but the whole experience was even better than expected! The place is perfect before or after the humpridge track.
There is a hot pool, a stunning view on the ocean (from the bedroom but also from the hot pool), a barbecue we could use, we were allowed to take fresh vegetables from the garden, so delicious! We could use the washing machine and drier, internet worked well and we got a nice breakfast.
Continental breakfast before heading on Hump Ridge Track excellent. Awesome location with sea views. Spa on the deck was a real treat. Friendly welcome.
This place is perfect for relaxing and connecting with the nature. The hosts Chrissy, Mike and the dog are very friendly. We stayed 2 nights and had a fantastic time. Breakfast was delicious. We were invited to take some green leaves from the greenhouse for our salad. We couldn’t ask for more! The spa pool with that view is outstanding.
AMAZING peaceful location with stunning views of the ocean from the room and the hot tub. The bed was super cozy. The home-grown produce was delish. The Ohla welcome-wagon was very generous in her acceptance of belly rubs.
All fabulous and a hot tub! Charming hostess.
Exceptional! Chrissy was kindness itself. An amazing out of the main drag spot. A relief from Invercargill.