Riverton / Aparima is a delightful coastal town on the Southern Scenic Highway, known locally as the Riviera of the South. Located at the western end of the 26 km-long Oreti Beach and west of Invercargill, the town encompasses the Jacob's River Estuary, the northwest end of Oreti Beach (North Beach), and Taramea Bay to Howell's Point / Taramea. The Pourakino and Aparima Rivers feed the estuary, and there is a small harbour where the highway crosses the estuary mouth.
It is also one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand and the oldest in Southland. The first whalers and sealers arrived over 200 years ago and eventually established the town near the existing Māori settlement of Aparima during the 1830s. For most of its history, Riverton / Aparima was a quiet fishing village with a few cribs (small holiday homes), a beautiful coastline, and views of Rakiura / Stewart Island. More recently, Riverton has grown to have a good range of services and accommodations. However, it maintains a picturesque and rugged coastal charm, particularly around The Rocks and Howell's Point / Taramea.
From the Southern Scenic Highway, take Bay Road and follow the road through various name changes along the coast. The first stop is Taramea Bay, which is safe for swimming and a popular spot for learning to surf, even during winter. Dolphins are also a common site. Continue to the point and The Rocks (a sizeable rocky outcrop). There is a large scenic area, and The Rocks is a popular fishing spot. If it feels too crowded, you can walk beyond The Rocks along several remote unnamed beaches towards text, connecting with Te Araroa as it heads inland to cut through the town before continuing along Oreti Beach.
The township centre is on the north side of the estuary mouth. Visit the excellent Te Hikoi Museum, one of the local cafes, or access North Beach on Princess Street.
Before Europeans arrived, there was a Māori settlement, Aparima, around the estuary due to the easy access to kaimoana (seafood). There was continuous interaction and trade between the Europeans and local Māori. In the 1830s, Captain John Howell established a whaling station and married a local Māori woman, allowing him to acquire considerable land and establish the town. A memorial beside the Aparima River estuary commemorates Howell, as do the references to Howells Point and Howells Roads (a beach next to Taramea Bay). The town also had some notable Southland firsts - the first school in 1837, the first hospital in 1861, and the first recorded horse race!
