Riverton, on the south coast of New Zealand has many faces. It is a place of spectacular natural beauty, a small town serving the rural community, a fishing port, a seaside resort, a peaceful place to explore & relax.
The climate is temperate and changeable. Summertime (December to March) sees the beaches & estuary popular with swimmers, kayakers, surfers & family picnics. Walkers can explore the shoreline, enjoy several easy bushwalks, or watch the diverse birdlife and get an occasional glimpse of seals and dolphins.
Riverton has a variety of stunning natural features sure to captivate all types of visitors. From the sheltered beaches of the estuary, to the wild beaches of Foveaux Strait around the corner, to the gentle meandering Pourakino and Aparima Rivers which converge in the estuary, Riverton is a place of many faces.
Explore the Riverton area Maori and early settler heritage, and pop in to the many arts and crafts stores
More information towards the bottom of the page.
Where to stay in Riverton:
- Longwood Holiday Park. Riverton's only Holiday Park (center the map)
- Taramea Bay House (center the map)
- Rosie's With the View (center the map)
- Riverton Beach Motel (center the map)
- The Globe Backpackers & Bar (center the map)
- Wazzr's Retreat (center the map)
- Highview B & B Homestay (center the map)
- Reo Moana Bed and Breakfast (center the map)
- Hopcroft Homestay (center the map)
- The Globe Beach Retreat (center the map)
- The Beach Cottage (center the map)
- George St (center the map)
- Wine Down in RIVERTON (center the map)
- JC's (center the map)
- Riverton Bed and Breakfast 4R's (center the map)
- Moby Dick Holiday Accommodation (center the map)
What to do in Riverton:
- Mores Reserve (center the map)
- 46 South Marine & Adventure Training (center the map)
- The Back Beach & the Rocks 'Wetland' Oxidation Ponds Walk (center the map)
- North Beach (center the map)
- Coastal walk to Riverton Rocks and Howell’s Point. (center the map)
- St Mary's Anglican Church (center the map)
- Mrs Clark's Cafe (center the map)
- Thornbury Vintage Tractor Museum (center the map)
- Riverton Sound Shell (center the map)
- Templeton Flaxmill Museum (center the map)
- Riverton Community Arts Centre (center the map)
- Aparima Pestbusters. The Return of the Birds Project (center the map)
- Riverton Golf Club (center the map)
- Game On Fishing Charters (center the map)
- South Coast Environment Centre (center the map)
- Art Studio 25 (center the map)
- TripleOne (center the map)
- Te Hikoi Heritage Museum (center the map)
- Wakapatu Beach - Island (center the map)
- Compass Dolphin (center the map)
- Howell's Memorial (center the map)
- Colac Bay - Oraka (center the map)
- Tihaka Lookout (center the map)
- Round Hill (center the map)
- Mantell's Rocks (center the map)
Groups and Organisations in Riverton:
- Riverton Coastguard (center the map)
- Riverton Community House (center the map)
- Lions Club of Riverton (center the map)
- Riverton Union Parish (center the map)
- Riverton RSA Memorial Club (center the map)
- Aparima College (center the map)
- Riverton New Life Church (center the map)
- The Western Star (center the map)
Businesses in Riverton:
- SPG Riverton (center the map)
- Bay Road Service Centre (center the map)
- Riverton Hammer Hardware (center the map)
- Locations Aparima Realty Ltd (center the map)
- Riverton Market (center the map)
- Real Estate (center the map)
- Riverton Automotive Centre Ltd (center the map)
- Riverton Pharmacy (center the map)
- Ocean Shell (center the map)
- The Cosy Book (center the map)
- Xcell Hair Design (center the map)
- Gayle Hogue Freelance Photography (center the map)
- Dawn Barry Design (center the map)
- Riverton Paua Limited (center the map)
Riverton has 2 service stations, on the main street and towards Riverton Rocks.
Riverton now has its own ATM machine!
Riverton Information Centre is open 7 days at Te Hikoi. Phone: 03 234 8260
Driving times:
Colac Bay 10 mins
Cosy nook 15 mins
Orepuki 20 mins
Tuatapere 40 mins
Thornbury 15 mins
Bluff 1 hr
Invercargill 40 mins
Queenstown 3 hours
Te Anau 2.5 hours
The Maori name for Riverton is Aparima named by the early Polynesian people who first came to the area by canoe. Descendants of three Southern tribes still live in the area -Waitahi, Ngati Mamoe and Ngai Tahu.
Riverton township was established by Captain Howell as a whaling station about 1837, when it was called Jacob's River. His house, which survives, was built about that time and is the oldest surviving building in the South Island.
