Discover Invercargill – Southland

Invercargill is Southland’s biggest city and a place full of character, history and southern hospitality. Known as the gateway to Stewart Island, the Catlins and Fiordland, it’s the perfect base for exploring New Zealand’s Deep South. Wide streets, heritage buildings and quirky museums give the city its unique feel, while friendly locals make visitors feel at home. To Discover Invercargill is to find a town that’s proud of its heritage and excited about its future.

🌿 What Makes Invercargill Special?

Invercargill balances small-town warmth with big city experiences. You can wander through beautifully kept parks, explore New Zealand’s transport history or enjoy local food made with Southland’s famous produce. For travellers heading further south, it’s also the last big stop before adventures in Rakiura – Stewart Island or the Catlins Coast.

🪶 The Name Invercargill

The city’s name reflects its mix of influences. “Inver” comes from Scottish settlers, meaning river mouth, while “Cargill” honours Captain William Cargill, one of Otago’s founding fathers. The Māori name for the area is Waihōpai, connecting the city back to its roots long before European arrival.

🚶 Top Things to Do in Invercargill

You might be very surprised at just how much Invercargill has to offer. At first glance it feels like a quiet southern city but spend some time here and you’ll uncover a mix of quirky museums, beautiful parks, and rich local heritage. From vintage vehicles and classic motorcycles to wide open beaches and peaceful gardens, there’s plenty to keep travellers busy and plenty of reasons to linger longer than expected.

• Bill Richardson Transport World – The largest private collection of vehicles in the Southern Hemisphere, with vintage trucks, quirky petrol pumps and even wearable art.
• Queens Park – A beautifully landscaped green space with themed gardens, walking trails, an aviary and a small animal enclosure.
• Classic Motorcycle Mecca – A huge collection of more than 300 motorcycles, telling the story of biking through the ages.
• Southland Museum & Tuatara Enclosure – Learn about Southland’s natural and cultural heritage and meet living fossils, the tuatara.
• E Hayes & Sons – Home of Burt Munro’s legendary “World’s Fastest Indian” motorcycle, plus free displays of classic cars and bikes.

🥘 Food & Flavour in Invercargill

Once again, the pies win in the Deep South. If you know us, you know pies always make the list — and Invercargill takes them to the next level with the legendary Fat Bastard Pies. They’re famous for adventurous fillings, a cheeky sense of humour and a Pie of the Month that keeps locals coming back for more. You can even order and have them delivered in bulk, so the goodness doesn’t stop when your trip does.

Beyond the pies, Invercargill’s food scene is warm and hearty, reflecting the best of Southland produce. From funky cafés to stylish dining, you’ll find plenty of spots to recharge after exploring the city.

• Fat Bastard Pies (Takeaway) – Wild fillings, Pie of the Month, and delivery options.
• Zookeepers Café (Café) – A funky, eclectic local favourite with hearty meals and great coffee.
• The Grille at Transport World (Restaurant) – Enjoy Southland lamb, venison and seafood while surrounded by motoring memorabilia.

🌿 Walks & Trails Around Invercargill

After filling up on Southland flavours, it’s time to stretch your legs. Invercargill might be a city, but it’s surrounded by beaches, forests, and open spaces that make walking here a real pleasure. Whether you’re after a quick stroll through native bush, a long wander along the coast, or something in between, you’ll find trails that combine history, scenery, and the wild southern spirit.

• Oreti Beach
  • This legendary stretch of sand isn’t just for walks — it’s a place of history and adrenaline. Oreti Beach is where speed legend Burt Munro tested his Indian motorcycle, and it still carries that sense of wild freedom. The beach stretches for 26 kilometres, so you can walk for as long (or as little) as you like. A short stroll of 20–30 minutes will give you sweeping ocean views, while longer walks reward you with total seclusion. Perfect for a sunset walk, picnic, or barefoot wander in the sand.
• Thomsons Bush Reserve
  • Just minutes from the city centre, Thomsons Bush Reserve is a pocket of native forest that feels like stepping back in time. Flat, easy tracks loop through kahikatea and rimu forest, with tūī and kererū often spotted overhead. The main loop is around 2 km (30–40 minutes), making it ideal for a quick, calming break in nature.
• Sandy Point Domain
  • Located between the Oreti River and Oreti Beach, Sandy Point Domain offers a network of walking and biking tracks through coastal forest and wetlands. Trails range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, so you can choose a short stroll or a longer wander. It’s a great spot for birdwatching, with wetlands alive with native species, and a peaceful escape just a short drive from town.

✨ Final Thoughts

To Discover Invercargill is to uncover the quirks and charms of the Deep South’s biggest hub. It’s a place of heritage and innovation, where you can step into a transport museum in the morning, enjoy a beach walk in the afternoon, and end the day with a hearty Southland meal. For many travellers, it’s the stepping stone to Stewart Island and beyond — but Invercargill is worth discovering in its own right.

👉 Discover tours, attractions, and experiences in Invercargill here

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
• 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
• 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.