Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing / Southland 2027
South Island / New Zealand
Fly fishing in Southland
There is a particular pleasure in finding a trout before making a cast. Sometimes all you see is a pale shadow moving against the gravel. Other times, the back and shoulders of a big brown break the surface a few rod lengths away. Southland is a special place.
We’ve been guiding here since 2000. Our home for the week is Dunrobin, a working farm beside the Aparima River. We fish in pairs, two anglers to a guide, and keep the schedule relaxed. When the trout are still rising, we can stay a little longer.
7 nights
At Dunrobin
6 days
Guided fishing
4 anglers
Two GVFFC guides
A$5,900
Per person
The 2027 season
Dates & availability
Sunday to Sunday. Come on your own, with a mate or as a group of four. Choose a week below to email Anthony.
Places advertised on 25 October 2026. Please confirm current availability and room arrangements before booking flights.
| Week | Places | Enquire |
|---|---|---|
| 24–31 January | 4 Full group |
Enquire |
| 14–21 February | 2 | Enquire |
| 28 February – 7 March | 3 | Enquire |
| 7–14 March | 3 | Enquire |
On the water
Different water, chosen for the day
Dunrobin puts the upper Ōreti, the Mataura and our home river, the Aparima, within reach of the same cottage. They offer quite different fishing. On the Ōreti we might walk an open bank looking for a single brown. On the Mataura, a mayfly hatch can give us a whole run of rising fish to chase. Close to home, the Aparima has gravel runs and open pools worth taking the time to walk.
We also fish the Waiau below Lake Te Anau, the Whitestone, Mararoa, Eglinton and Waikaia, along with spring creeks, the Mavora Lakes and a few other unmentionable places. The point of having that choice is not to tick off a different river every day. Rain can put colour into one valley while the water in the next is clear. A wind that makes it hard to cast into one reach may leave another well worth fishing.
Each morning we look at the water levels, clarity, wind and light, then talk about the fishing you’d enjoy. The two pairs can go in different directions. Some days that means a longer drive towards Fiordland; other days the best reason to stay close to home is the fishing itself.
The guiding
Four anglers, two guides
There are no more than two anglers with a guide on any of the six fishing days. When we spot a trout, there’s time for you to pick it out as well. We can watch it feed, decide which angle gives you the better approach and work out what fly to use.
Sometimes the useful part comes after a cast that didn’t work. Did the fish see you as you moved up? Did the fly drag just as it reached the fish? We can change one thing and try it on the next opportunity. With six days together, there’s time to adjust and improve in measurable ways.
Some guests come to work on spotting fish or on their presentation. Others have fished for years and would rather have a second pair of eyes and six days of exploration. Both are good ways to spend the week.
GVFFC on film
A week in Southland
See the rivers we fish and the country around Dunrobin in our Southland film.
The Aparima Valley
At home at Dunrobin
Aileen and Ian Grant have become friends over the years we’ve been coming to Dunrobin. Seeing them again is one of the things we look forward to each summer. When you stay on their farm you get to know the same place over seven nights while exploring the rivers that flow through and around the property.
The guest cottage has three bedrooms for four anglers: two private bedrooms and a twin with separate beds. The bathrooms are shared. There’s a kitchen, a lounge, laundry facilities and a deck. The guides stay in a separate cottage nearby.
Coming on your own? We’ll talk through whether there’s a private room for your week, or a suitable twin-share arrangement. Either way, you’ll know which room you’re booking before you commit.
The Aparima
The evening rise, a short walk away
The home pool on the Aparima is about 200 yards from the cottage. After dinner you can pick up a rod, walk across the paddock and spend the last hour of light looking for a rise. There’s water upstream and down. You can fish it independently, so there’s no need to organise a lift or persuade anyone else to come along.
That’s different from the evenings when we take guests out with a guide. When another river looks promising and people are keen, we can work its evening rise into the fishing week. And there’s nothing wrong with staying at the cottage and letting someone else bring back the story.
After the last cast
Meals and evenings
The kitchen is stocked for breakfast. There are eggs and bacon if you’re hungry, or toast, muesli, fruit and a cup of tea while the guides check the rivers. On the way out we usually stop at a local café, where you can choose a sandwich or wrap for lunch on the bank.
Most nights we cook at Dunrobin; on others we head to a country pub or restaurant. Your main course is included when we eat out. There’s time to pick up your own drinks in Queenstown on arrival. Please mention any dietary requirements before you book so we can talk them through.
The orange hat
The angler who lands the biggest fish gets to wear the orange hat the next day. The original idea was that the trout would see yesterday’s successful angler coming. It hasn’t put anyone off winning it. The fly goes on the hat, along with the angler’s name and the date.
Sunday to Sunday
How the week runs
Arrival Sunday
Queenstown to Dunrobin
We meet you at the airport. There’s time to pick up drinks or last-minute supplies before driving south and settling in to talk fishing over dinner.
Monday to Saturday
Six days on the rivers
Go out in pairs with your guide, with lunch on the river. We can stay out for an evening rise when the fish are up and you’re keen.
Following Sunday
Back to Queenstown
After breakfast we take you back to the airport. Speak with us before booking flights so the transfers work for everyone.
Before you book
Who the trip suits
You don’t have to be an expert, but some familiarity with casting and managing your line helps. The week is a good fit for someone who enjoys spotting trout and working out how to catch them. An experienced angler can spend a long time on one fish here. Someone newer to sight fishing may be just as pleased the first time they spot it before their guide points it out.
All of the fishing is on foot. Gravel banks, river crossings and the distance we cover vary from one stretch to another. Tell us where you normally fish, how far you’re comfortable walking and anything that makes wading difficult. It’s worth having that conversation before you book, so we can give you a straight answer about whether the week will suit you.
Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing
Guiding in Southland since 2000
We’ve held a New Zealand Department of Conservation guiding concession in Southland since 2000. Returning to the same district each summer has given us time to get to know the landowners and the people we stay with, as well as the water. Some of our guests have been making the trip with us since the early 2000s.
Anthony looks after the programme and talks you through the trip before you come. The fishing is guided by the GVFFC team. We’ll let you know who your guides are before you travel.
In their words
What our guests say
“I’ve been travelling with GVFFC since 2003. The guides adapt to each angler and every trip feels effortless.”
Simon, returning Southland guest
“This trip was a 50th birthday gift, and I’ve returned every year since. Exceptional fishing and a week that never disappoints.”
Peter, returning New Zealand guest
Getting ready
Before you travel
We’ll send you a pre-trip packet covering tackle, clothing, travel and the week at Dunrobin. We supply the flies, tippet and usual consumables. Bring your own rods, reels, waders and boots, or speak with us about arranging hire in advance.
Before buying another rod for New Zealand, tell us what you fish with at home. It may be exactly what you need. We’re also happy to talk through any casting practice that would make your first day on the water more enjoyable.
Prices in Australian dollars
What your week includes
Twin share
A$5,900
Per person · separate beds
Private bedroom
A$6,250
Per person · subject to availability
Included in either room price: seven nights at Dunrobin, six full guided fishing days, Queenstown Airport transfers, daily fishing transport, breakfast provisions, streamside lunches, dinners, drinking water, flies and usual fishing consumables.
Arrange separately: flights, a New Zealand fishing licence, travel insurance, alcohol, personal equipment and any hire. When we dine out, your main course is included; desserts, coffees and other extras are yours. Guide gratuities are optional.
New bookings after 1 November 2026: full payment is due once we’ve confirmed your week and room. Please read our booking and cancellation terms before paying.
Enquiries
Talk to Anthony
Tell me which weeks would work for you, how many of you are coming and whether you’d prefer your own room. I’d also like to know a little about the fishing you enjoy. You don’t need to have everything settled; a phone call is often the easiest way to work out whether Southland is the right trip for you.
gvflyfishing@gmail.com · Online enquiry form
From overseas: +61 418 995 611
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