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Home›Destinations›Otatara
OceaniaNew ZealandSouthland

Otatara

Southland, New Zealand · Oceania

About Otatara

Otatara is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Kew, 3km from Teretonga Park.

Otatara is a town located in Southland, New Zealand. With a population of 3,460, it is an important destination in Oceania.

On a road trip, Otatara sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Otatara to your route.

About Otatara

Otatara is an outer suburb of New Zealand's southernmost city, Invercargill. It is surrounded by the Ōreti River to the west and south, and its estuary and Invercargill Airport to the east, and West Plains to the north. Historically, it was in Southland County before it was abolished. The main thoroughfare in Otatara

Read more is Dunns Road, which continues westward across the Ōreti River bridge to road's end at Oreti Beach, towards Invercargill it becomes Stead Street at the old city/county boundary, passing between the estuary and the airport before crossing the Waihopai River bridge into the city proper. There are several local bush walks through tōtara forests, and numerous recreational facilities in the area including MTB tracks, rowing, speed boating, two golf courses and the nearby Oreti Beach. The name derives from Ota-tara meaning Green Point or Bushy Point, an obvious name for the heavily forested peninsula which was a source of birds and other resources for the early Māori inhabitants, this name was assigned to this area during the surveying of the Invercargill district for settlement, although the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "place of loosening" for Otatara. There was a post office in a grocery store along Dunns Road, which lost its importance when a rural delivery from Invercargill commenced around 1960, and residents erected mailboxes on the roadside outside their houses. There is a Four Square store in Dunns Road now (2026).

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Otatara

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Otatara?

Otatara offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Otatara?

Plan your road trip to Otatara with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Otatara as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Otatara located?

Otatara is located in Southland, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -46.4333 latitude, 168.3000 longitude.

What is the population of Otatara?

Otatara has a population of approximately 3,460 people, making it a town in New Zealand.

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Quick Information

Population
3,460
Continent
Oceania
Country
New Zealand
Region
Southland
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland
Coordinates
-46.4333, 168.3000

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in New Zealand

Police
111
Ambulance
111
Fire
111
Non-emergency police
105
Driving side
left

Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.

Full driving guide for New Zealand

Tags

OceaniaNew ZealandSouthlandTown

Worth the detour from Otatara

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

racetrack

Teretonga Park

The southernmost motor racing circuit in the world, near Invercargill on New Zealand's South Island, running since 1957 in wind-scoured coastal farmland.

3 km · about 5 min drive

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Otatara.

Kew

🇳🇿 New Zealand

4 km awayPop. 2,070

Strathern

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 4,190

Kingswell

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 2,240

Georgetown

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 2,220

Clifton

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 1,990

Avenal

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 1,410

Invercargill

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 58,000

Richmond

🇳🇿 New Zealand

5 km awayPop. 2,910

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence