This southernmost New Zealand city sits at the tip of South Island. Yellow-eyed penguins, Queens Park gardens, and proximity to Fiordland make it an ideal base for regional exploration.
Invercargill sits at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island. You can walk through the rose gardens and aviary at Queens Park, examine Burt Munro's record-breaking Indian Scout motorcycle, or watch the Southern Lights dance across the night sky. The city's wide streets, laid out in a grid pattern, lead past 1800s Victorian buildings to calm spots like Oreti Beach, where you might spot pods of Hector's dolphins swimming close to shore.
Getting to Invercargill
You can fly to Invercargill Airport on daily domestic flights from major New Zealand cities. The drive takes 2.5 hours from Queenstown or 3.5 hours from Dunedin along State Highway 1. InterCity buses stop at the city center daily. Many visitors get a rental car to reach nearby places like The Catlins and Stewart Island.
Queens Park and Green Spaces
Queens Park spans 80 hectares in central Invercargill. You'll find rose gardens with over 800 varieties, an aviary with native birds, and themed areas including a Japanese garden and rock garden. The park has tennis courts, a children's playground, and an 18-hole golf course. Follow the Waihopai Walkway to Thomsons Bush, where a boardwalk leads through ancient podocarp forest.
Motor Culture and Museums
Burt Munro set his famous land speed record in 1967, and you can see his original Indian Scout motorcycle at E Hayes and Sons Ltd, surrounded by classic vehicles. Bill Richardson Transport World contains more than 300 vintage cars and trucks, while Classic Motorcycle Mecca displays 300 motorcycles from rare vintage models to modern racing bikes. The Burt Munro Challenge in February brings thousands of riders to the city.
Local Food Scene
March to August is Bluff oyster season, when you can taste these local delicacies fresh from the southern waters. Try Southland cheese rolls - bread rolled with cheese and onion mixture, then grilled until golden. Many restaurants serve wild venison from Fiordland. The city center has everything from casual cafes to upscale restaurants serving local ingredients.
Weather and Seasonal Activities
Invercargill winters are mild, occasionally dropping below freezing with light snow. Summer days stretch until 10 PM, perfect for evening walks on Oreti Beach. The Aurora Australis appears throughout the year - head to coastal areas away from city lights for clear views. Queens Park's gardens change with the seasons, from spring bulbs to autumn colors.
Day Trips from Invercargill
Drive one hour east to The Catlins to see Purakaunui Falls and walk through coastal forests. Take the one-hour ferry from Bluff (27 km south) to Stewart Island for hiking and kiwi spotting. Te Anau, the entrance to Fiordland National Park, is two hours north by car. These areas add mountain peaks, rainforests, and coastal cliffs to your visit.
