Riverton is famous as the oldest European settlement in New Zealand, dating back 200 years when the first whalers and sealers arrived off the southern coast. Aparima is at the western end of 26 km-long Oreti Beach and to the west of Invercargill, Southland. The town takes in Jacob’s River Estuary, Oreti Beach, and Taramea Bay to Howells Point Taramea.
It was once a sleepy fishing village with a lovely coastline and view of Stewart Island Rakiura. It’s no longer that sleepy, but the coast is still pretty and rugged around The Rocks and Howells Point Taramea. People learn to surf here, even in winter, and swimming in the bay is safe. You may also see dolphins. You can walk beyond Howells Point along the (unnamed) beach if it seems too busy around the bay and point.
