Invercargill
Invercargill is situated at the bottom of the South Island 2¾ hours drive from Queenstown and 3 hours from Dunedin. It is the heart of what the locals call Southland, a region rich in Scottish ancestry and known for its friendly people. The City is a mix of historical buildings and modern infrastructure surrounded by beautifully manicured parks and gardens. The most popular and central of these parks is Queens Park which covers an amazing 80 hectares. Within the park are various flower gardens and tree lined pathways including an indoor winter garden display. There is also a large water park, sporting facilities, bird aviary and various animal enclosures. Cafes are scattered throughout the grounds and there are plenty of playgrounds for the children. While there visit the Southland Museum and Art Gallery with its Subantarctic Island virtual experience and roaring forties exhibition showing off the true nature of the Deep South. There are many more Museums and Art Galleries in the City which are full of character and comprehensive displays. The wide streets of Invercargill match the local’s smiles and welcoming arms with a great choice of cafes, bars, restaurants and excellent shopping. Bluff Oysters, Paua, Blue Cod and mutton bird are specialties of the house and seafood features highly with the fishing boats docking at Bluff just 27kms away. Invercargill is a great base to explore the Caitlans Coast an area of rugged beauty and home to some of New Zealand’s most endangered wildlife.
There are a huge variety of walking tracks along the Southern Scenic Route which pass by Kauri stands, waterfalls, swimming holes and remote beaches. The Caitlans is home to the rare Yellow eyed Penguin and Hectors Dolphin as well as a large population of seals and prolific birdlife. Points of interest are signposted all the way along this section of the coast and guided eco tourism tours also operate in the area. Stewart Island is the other must do while in Invercargill. Ferries, helicopters and flights depart from Bluff to take you to an island of unspoilt beauty and remoteness. Stewart Island is the only place in New Zealand you can view kiwis in the wild. The crystal clear water and untouched sandy beaches provide the perfect playground for fishing, diving, kayaking and bush walking. There is a Museum on the island featuring the history of Stewart Island with displays and artifacts. The birdlife is abundant due to the delicate balance of Flora and Fauna. Accommodation in Invercargill is diverse and ranges from Hotel accommodation right through to budget motels and backpackers.