Bear Guide to South Island, New Zealand

18th February 2026 Luka Musicki

There are a lot of things that you can do and see while you are visiting the South Island, New Zealand.

I would like to thank the following person for their assistance: Leif Wauter, for the South Island, NZ. And Grant Bowyer and Alan Granville for their help with the North Island, NZ, suggestions from their experiences. And thanks, John Baird, for your assistance with updates to the Bear Guides.

Grant (Engineer) was able to do Auckland more, Alan (travel journalist) was able to do Wellington more, and Leif (previous editor of Express gay magazine) was able to do Christchurch more.

We’re passionate about supporting and promoting queer businesses in your local areas. Whether you live there or are just visiting, check out our guide to queer-owned or queer-friendly businesses in and around New Zealand, for both the North and South Islands.

Check them out, head to their websites, and follow their social media. To get listed here, contact us at bwmguides@grayjonesmedia.com.

Bear Kindred Group:

Bear Christchurch

The Bears Christchurch are the only bear group on the South Island. Check out the links below for more information about the bear kindred group.

Website: https://bearschch.org.nz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bears.christchurch/

Nightclub/Bar/Pubs:

Woof Dunedin, Otepoti (Bar)

Queer-friendly Bar. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 4 pm to late. Dog friendly.

Address: 368 Moray Place (corner Lower, Stuart Street,), Dundelin, 9016, New Zealand

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woofdunedin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woof_dunedin/

Email: woofdunedin@gmail.com

Queers Beers NZ:

Hosting safe and inclusive LGBTIQA+ socials around Aotearoa.

Address: Alexandra, New Zealand · Queenstown, New Zealand.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queersbeersnz/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queers.beersnz/

Email: queersbeersnz@gmail.com

Cafes:

Taste Nature – Dundin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand

Taste Nature is a Dunedin business with a heartbeat. Founded upon ethical and sustainable values and a holistic model of health and healing, its owners, Clinton Chambers and Rodney McDonald, see it as the best way to contribute to a better community, world, and Whenua.

Both the values and the vision for Taste Nature are created from the collaborative energy of living and working in harmony with nature from their organic gardens in Waitati and the thriving vibe of their store.

Clinton and Rodney, together with their team of staff and practitioners, share a vision to create a sustainable, ethical, and local economic system that supports the well-being of individuals, engages our community, cares for our planet, furthers our education, and is in harmony with nature.

Located on: 131 High Street, DUNEDIN 9016

Website: Taste Nature | Organic Supermarket and Cafe | Local – Sustainable – Ethical

Resort:

Autumn Farm, Golden Bay

It is located on the north end of the South Island. While not specific, it is a hippie-style space in a beautiful part of the island that is a clothing-optional establishment with nudity mainly occurring in the warm summer months. They welcome everyone and can be bear-heavy in its attendees.

Facilities are communal. There are no en-suites. The lifestyle there is eco-positive with composting toilets, solar water heating, recycling of waste and inclusive social atmosphere. Meals are available on request or you can be self-catering. Autumn farm has its own well providing 100% pure water available on every tap.

Website: https://www.autumnfarm.com

Cinema:

Cinema Metro

A cinema owned by a nice gay bear. Please suggest this venue next time in Dundelin, South Island, NZ.

Website: www.metrocinema.co.nz

Tourism:

New Zealand Tourism:

Website: Welcome to New Zealand | Official site for Tourism New Zealand

Department of Conservation:

There are charms of the South Island for its rugged beauty and adventures that are fit for bears. Hiking, camping, wide open roads that hold drinking and grazing local fares to the heart’s delight.

The Department of Conservatism website has a wealth of knowledge on the various wildlife areas worth exploring. And if traveling around the island, there are great hot springs on offer, including Maruia in the centre of the island. It is not cheap but stunning.

Website for the DoC: https://www.doc.govt.nz

Website for the Maruia Hot Springs: https://www.maruiahotsprings.nz

Festivals:

Winterpride, Queenstown, NZ