Invercargill

Where is it?

Far, far south. Invercargill is the most southerly city in the country and sits on the south central coast. It is positioned at the back of a harbour affording scant shelter for the somewhat grim weather blasting in from the southern oceans.

What's it like?

Another Kiwi transit town, many of the visitors to Invercargill are either on their way to or from one of the natural beauties in the surrounding area. This view does Invercargill something of a disservice. It is an orderly town with a well laid out grid of streets. The names of these - Clyde Street, Dee Street, Spey Street to name but three- give a clue to where the cities architects came from. With a climate not unlike Scotland, where pelting rain can give way to weather of sublime clarity, and a number of fine old stone buildings the Gaelic atmosphere is always there.

What to see and do.

Past its sell by date, the port town of Bluff lies just under 30km to the south of Invercargill. This port handles the produce going in and out of the Central Southland area. Although the town is a little shabby, the port is always busy and this is the town that gives its name to the famed Bluff Oyster. Heaven in a half shell.
Bluff is the departure point for Stewart Island, a very remote spot that has grown in popularity since being named as the Rakiura National Park. This is a gorgeous, desolate island where visitors can hope to glimpse penguins and Kiwi's as well as indulging in some serious tramping or sea kayaking.
The Catlins Coast, which runs north of Invercargill towards Dunedin, is a path less travelled and yet is a wild beauty that deserves more attention. Drive the route but make frequent stops to admire the view and check out the penguins, elephant seals, dolphins and the profusion of birdlife along this stormy coast.
The Southland Museum and Art Gallery, aside from the usual collection of European and Maori artefacts, has two great exhibits. Upstairs is the 'Beyond the Roaring Forties' display. This gives a view of the wind blown outcrops under New Zealand dominion that lie far to the south, between NZ and the South Pole. The other great exhibit is the Tuatara breeding programme. These extremely rare lizards are a real throwback to the Jurassic era and are found nowhere else in the world.
If the weather is Ok, take a stroll in Queens Park a huge open space that includes an 18-hole golf course and the Splash Palace water park.

Eating, Sleeping and Drinking

Invercargill has to work hard to attract visitors so prices are always keen and there is a reasonable choice of hostels, hotels, camping and camper van sites.
Seafood here is wonderful, the Bluff Oysters are exceptional and Blue Cod will spoil your view of plain old North Sea Cod and chips forever. (Blue Cod; not really a cod but it tastes similar. Blue Cod taste great but look really, really ugly)