Hop to Southland
If you’re looking for somewhere welcoming to spend your break, then hop down to Southland and check out the sights around the Friendly City.
It may be our southernmost city, but
Invercargill made a splash on the world's radar when the story of motorcycling legend Burt Munro hit the big screen last year in
The World's Fastest Indian. Veteran British actor Anthony Hopkins spent some months down in Invercargill portraying the Kiwi speedster, racing along the sweeping sands of Oreti Beach. Even Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt got in on the act, with a brief cameo as a customer inside the Post Office. Visitors to the city can check out Crescent Road, where 1960s phone booths and parking meters were fitted especially for the shoot.
In addition to location spotting, Southland's key centre offers plenty to see and do. Explore some of the fine museums, heritage buildings and art galleries, or pack a picnic and enjoy some of the many outstanding parks, nature reserves, coastal walks and gardens. With a well-deserved reputation as Southland's Garden City, Invercargill boasts about 1200 hectares of lush parklands, so you're spoilt for choice.
Invercargill is also the gateway to some of the region's most stunning scenery, including
Fiordland, the Catlins Coast and Stewart Island. We’ve put together a selection of sights to help entertain you on your stay, and don’t forget to pop down to the port at Bluff and taste those succulent Bluff oysters.
Out and About
- Anderson Park Art Gallery
91 McIvor Road
Email enquiries
Picnic or stroll in the beautiful landscaped gardens, lawns and native bush which surround the gallery. You'll find a traditional carved Maori house, a bushwalk, duck pond and children's playground. Inside the handsome Georgian-style house, the gallery’s collection includes art from around the country and the far south.
- Southland Museum and Art Gallery
This landmark building at the edge of Invercargill's Queen’s Park is the largest pyramid in the Southern Hemisphere. Inside, you'll find ancient Maori taonga (treasures) including early ornaments and tools, Moa remains, sub-antarctic artefacts and live tuatara displays.
- Bluff
www.bluff.co.nz
Head down to Bluff and sample the local oysters, go horse riding or fishing, or climb to the top of Bluff Hill for panoramic views over the Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island. There are daily tours of the giant Tiwai Aluminium Smelter (bookings essential) or find out about the region's marine history and early whaling and sealing colonies at the Bluff Maritime Museum.
- Stewart Island
www.stewartisland.co.nz
From Bluff, you can jump across to New Zealand's third island by boat. With its beautiful bays and golden sand beaches, Stewart Island is a haven for native wildlife. and one of the best places in the country to spot kiwi foraging in the wild. Walkers can find plenty of trails to tackle in Rakiura National Park. For flights, visit Stewart Island Flights or catch the ferry and go sightseeing with Stewart Island Experience.
- The Catlins
www.catlins.org.nz
Head along the Catlins Coast to explore this breathtakingly beautiful region south-east of the city. There is a huge variety of native wildlife to be discovered, including Hector's dolphins, Hooker's sea lions, fur seals, yellow-eyed penguins and other native birds.
Southland events
Oyster Bay Bluff Oyster & Souhland Seafood FestivalThis popular annual celebration showcases Southland seafood and wine, in particular the worlf-famous Bluff Oyster. Highlights include oyster shucking and eating competitions, a wearable arts competitions and the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Seas Ball. The festival is held at the Bluff Events Centre in Gore Street. For tickets:
Phone: 03 211 1695 (Invercargill City Council Booking Office)
Email bookingswww.ticketdirect.co.nzUseful websites
www.invercargill.co.nz- The Invercargill city's official website.
www.southland.org.nz– The region’s official website.
events.southlandnz.com– Find out what’s happening in and around the region.