INVERCARGILL - New Zealand's southern-most city

INVERCARGILL offers a number of attractions, of the kind you would find in any similar sized city. Most visitors would visit the city en route to/from Stewart Island, Queenstown and Fiordland or driving along the scenic coastal route taking in the Catlins.

Invercargill is only served by Air New Zealand in terms of scheduled airlines; short-haul flights from Christchurch (about 7 flights a day) and Queenstown (4 flights). The main bus/coach lines also operate to the city.

Regular flights to Stewart Island are operated from Invercargill airport by Stewart Island Flights, a small private company.

BETTERPRICE HOTELS offer a number of accommodation options. We have personally stayed at the Heritage Court Motel. We found it comfortable, quiet and clean, well-situated for the city, just 3 minutes by car.

Things to do:

Southland Art Gallery and Museum. Includes a live tuatara display with one (Henry) who is over 120 years old.
Anderson Park Art Gallery.
Oreti Beach (follow the signs to the airport, then look for signs to the beach). Only recommended for swimming if you are hardy (or foolish!), but it is an impressive beach and the place where motorcycling legend Bert (Burt) Munro once raced.

There are a number of good walks in and around the city including Queens Park, which is laid out in the English style and includes the botanical gardens. Other walks: Sandy Point Domain, Foveaux Walkway, New River Estuary, Green Point Domain (halfway to Bluff, view the ships' graveyard - see photo below), Glory Track, City Spirit Walk.

The city has some very good eating spots.

BLUFF is often wrapped in with Invercargill, but has a character of its own. It is about 30 minutes south of Invercargill by car or shuttle (about $16 each way). Attractions there include Bluff Hill with its impressive views over Foveaux Strait, the Maritime Museum (an interesting and attractive small museum), Stirling Point light (the former signal station at the mouth of the harbour) and Lookout point with the famous signpost. Sadly the famed Paua House is now closed following an apparent family difference after the death of local characters Fred and Myrtle Flutey. See 'other walks' above. Accommodation options in Bluff

The Stewart Island Ferry leaves from Bluff, running a regular service from the Town Wharf. It is now operated by Stewart Island Experience, a subsidiary of Real Journeys who operate a number of tourist activities in the Fiordland/Southland area. The journey takes about an hour.

The famed Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival is held towards the end of April each year. Check here for events.

STEWART ISLAND (Rakiura) is a delightfully unspoiled island, the southernmost inhabited island in New Zealand. On the southern side of Foveaux Strait, a short flight from Invercargill or ferry trip from Bluff (caution - the crossing of the Strait can be rough!) the island offers a number of accommodation options and is especially suited to those who like going out on the water for fishing etc or tramping. Accommodation options on Stewart Island.

Invercargill Map/Accommodation search