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If Invercargill were a celebrity, it would be Billy Connolly…. windswept, interesting, and always ready with a warm greeting or a joke or two. It gets a bad rap, but once you start exploring this southern extreme of New Zealand, you soon realise just how much there is to love.
Flanked by a gorgeous and largely untouched coastline, verdant rolling pastures, and the mountains of Southern Fiordland off in the distance; it’s a place for the curious and intrepid. So, leave your preconceived notions at home and check out my list of the best things to do in Invercargill, below.
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Food And Drink
Sip The Southern Way
The Langlands Hotel, Top Floor/59 Dee Street, Invercargill
Image credit: The Langlands Hotel | Supplied
For food and drink fans, the pièce de resistance of Invercargill attractions is 360 at the top of The Langlands Hotel, which rivals rooftop bars everywhere with its contemporary design, views over the city and impressive cocktail list featuring signature takes on old classics. Downstairs just off the hotel laneway, you’ll find a cosy nook for late-night schmoozing at Niche; adorably small but sophisticated.
Chow Down On Local Delicacies
Various Locations
Chocolate, oysters, Fiordland venison, blue cod, boutique gin, craft beer, cheese rolls. Potentially a list of aphrodisiacs, and definitely a summary of the best local tastes to savour in Invers. You’ll find these luxury items on the menu almost everywhere. The Southern Farmers Market on Sunday mornings is a prime spot for sampling everything from regional produce, meats and seafood to ready-to-eat treats and artisan goods. Swing past for a hit of foodie fever.
Scoff The Food Of The Gods
Various Locations
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This region is more-or-less ground zero for oysters, which are plucked fresh from the ocean off Bluff and served everywhere from the chippy through to the more upmarket eateries. It’s practically a rite of passage to try them every which way they come, including as a martini flavour. Oyster Cove, Hayz at the Anchorage and Meld are good picks to get your oyster action in.
Sink A Few Craft Brews
Gadoochi Brewery, 17 Bond Street, Invercargill
The national craft beer obsession has solid representation in Invercargill, with Gadoochi Brewery in-house at the Tuatara Café serving up their own freshly brewed varieties.
Family-Friendly
Make Like Ninja Warriors
Adventure Southland, 810 North Road, Lorneville, Invercargill
Image credit: Adventure Southland | Website
Wrangle your friends or fam for a day of high rope hijinks, rock climbing, flying foxes, ultimate archery and giant swings at the Adventure Southland base. Test your relationships with the array of confidence course-style activities that are terrifying and exhilarating in equal measures.
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Enter Chocolate Paradise
Seriously Good Chocolate Company, 147 Spey Street, Invercargill
Channel your inner Willy Wonka and immerse yourself in chocolate nirvana with a tour or chocolate-making class at the Seriously Good Chocolate Company, where an astounding variety of flavours are churned out by hand on the daily.
Go Rock Treasure Hunting
Gemstone Beach, Orepuki, Invercargill
If you’ve got an eye for shiny colourful trinkets, Gemstone Beach just past Riverton is something of a natural treasure chest. Go at low tide to pick out the shimmering stones along the waterline and take in the gorgeous south coast views at the same time but watch for rogue waves, especially if you have littlies in tow.
Enter The Deconstruction Zone
Demolition World, 290 Bain Street, Clifton, Invercargill
With a zombie apocalypse rating of 11 out of 10, Demolition World is a surefire hit if you prefer to explore more random and slightly bizarre attractions. The ultimate upcycling project, the secret town is assembled entirely from demolished buildings and should be on any self-respecting explorer's bucket list.
Adventure And Outdoor Activities
Get Amongst Nature
Various Locations
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The whole Southland region is basically a walker's paradise and there are some gorgeous short walks not far from the city that are amazing in their own right. The estuary walk practically glows at sunset as the light hits the water, and you’ll spy various species of local birdlife going about their business. From here, it’s a short drive towards the famed Oreti Beach with its cinematic views of Stewart Island and kudos points for local motorsport history. Nearby Sandy Point has a network of tracks for a decent jaunt in the coastal bush with a few easy hills thrown to bring the 360-degree views and Bluff is similarly well-appointed with scenic and sometimes, steep strolls.
Spend A Day At The Park
Queen's Park, Invercargill
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Right in the heart of the city is Queen’s Park, a green oasis of towering trees and botanical wonders of all sorts, spread across 12 sprawling acres with manicured pathways for promenading along if you’re into the whole Bridgerton vibe. A golf course and fitness trail are hidden among the extensive grounds if you feel the need to don your activewear.
Cruise On Two Wheels
Various Locations
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Home to the legendary Tour of Southland, this is a cycle-mad territory with plenty of country roads to work up a sweat and show off your matching Lycra. But if you’re more into seeing the sights at a leisurely pace on a two-wheeled steed, then hire a bike to cruise around points of interest or tackle the Sandy Point Mountain Bike Park.
Soak Up The Serenity
Fern And Feather Retreat, 106 Ariki Avenue, Otatara, Invercargill
Sink into blissful oblivion under the stars after a hot stone massage at the Fern and Feather Retreat in Otatara, a day spa with the genius addition of two outdoor baths tucked amidst native bush and twinkly fairy lights. You can even BYO bubbly and snacks for an extra indulgent soak.
Culture And History
Embrace Your Inner Petrolhead
Bill Richardson Transport World, 491 Tay Street, Hawthorndale, Invercargill
Image credit: Great South | Supplied
Check out the emporium of motorised wonders that is Bill Richardson Transport World with its massive halls full of shiny vehicles of all kinds, plus a side-shot of other attractions including a movie theatre playing the classic Good-Bye Pork Pie among other gems, and even a wearable art display.
...Then Embrace It Some More
Various Locations
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Go full immersion and head to Motorcycle Mecca for two-wheeled memorabilia and while you’re at it, swing past E Hayes Motorworks Collection for a glimpse of the legendary ‘World’s Fastest Indian’ bike. Throw in annual events such as the Burt Munro Challenge, the George Begg Festival and the nearby Edendale Crank Up and you begin to understand why the local roads are so wide.
Shopping
Op 'Til You Drop
Various Locations
Image credit: Little Bird Boutique | Facebook
Time moves to the beat of its own drum down south, and so it stands to reason that this is also one of the best places to snaffle signature vintage and antique scores. Hubbers Emporium and Miss Vintage Lighting in Invercargill or Little Bird Boutique in Riverton are all packed to the rafters with all sorts of curios and furnishings from times gone by.
Want more Southern goodness? Check out:
- Your Ultimate Christchurch Bucket List
- The Best Things To Do In Queenstown
- Anything & Everything Worth Doing In Dunedin
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