12 Best Things To Do in Invercargill, NZ

1. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Seriously Good Chocolate Company

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Travelers with a sweet tooth are in for a treat with Seriously Good Chocolate Company. As the name suggests, this shop offers a variety of chocolates to choose from. These chocolates come in different flavors, styles, shapes, and sizes. There are even chocolates that cost less than 30 USD.

Also, the shop sells spirit-infused chocolates, from Irish cream to rum. There are so many chocolates to choose from and if you’re a traveler that loves them, add this to your list of Invercargill places to visit.

Seriously Good Chocolate Company

Address: 147 Spey Street, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand

Website: Seriously Good Chocolate Company

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 4pm; Sat: 9:30am - 1:30pm (closed on Sun)

2. Explore the classic motoring capital

The town is also called the classic motoring capital. Your search through the history of this town can start with visiting the classic and vintage motor-bikes along with the newest ones in the famous shops of the town, like E Hayes and Sons. If you are an ardent fan of old vehicles, you cannot miss the grand vintage car collection of the automotive museum Transport World. Relatively new, one of the grandest attractions of this place is the vintage truck collection. Apart from the vehicle enthusiastic peoples, Transport World has every kind of attractions, like play zones for the kids, art collections for the art lovers, and movie theaters.

Transport World

Address: 491 Tay St, Hawthorndale, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand

Website: Transport World

3. Have a trip to Queens Park

Spread over a large amount of land in the middle of the cityscape, Queens Park is one of the greenest parts of the city. The authentic smell of roses is sure to keep you mesmerized in its rose garden. Along with that, you can also hover around the paths side-lined by various trees to get a feel of walking through nature. There are also tracks through the forests to take a hike amongst the native tropical trees. The modern cafes are there to pander to your hunger or thirst after a day of wandering through nature.

Queens Park

Address: 134 Gala St, Queens Park, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand

Website: Queens Park

4. Search for history at Southland Museum and Art Gallery

The excellently architected pyramid that houses Southland Museum and Art Gallery is located inside the Queens Park. Being the most important cultural and heritage hub of the region, this Invercargill tourist attraction houses the precious collection of historic and artistic elements of the whole region. One of the most important parts of this museum is the Maori Gallery, which gives an enchanting view of the pre-European lifestyle of the Southland. Another most important part of the museum is the Tuatarium, which has native reptiles, Tuatara. These reptiles exist from a very long way back, around the time of dinosaurs.

Southland Museum and Art Gallery

Address: 108 Gala St, Queens Park, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand

Website: Southland Museum and Art Gallery

5. Pay a visit to the Victorian Invercargill Water Tower

In the era of the 19th-century, the town Invercargill used to be always threatened by fire. The colonial town used to have lots of wooden houses which used to ignite as well as be destroyed by fires entirely. Thus, in the late 1880s, the authority decided to build a water tower outside of the town. Restored in 1989, this tower is a prime example of Victorian architecture. Nowadays it serves as the backup role for the water-supply of the city. A climb up this tower is a must to have an awesome view of the whole city.

The Invercargill Water Tower

Address: 107 Doon Street, Invercargill, 9810, New Zealand

Website: The Invercargill Water Tower

6. Enjoy the flat Oreti Beach

Along with its colonial heritage, Invercargill is blessed with an enchanting Coastal area very close to the city. Just a few kilometers west of the city, the famous Oreti Beach is a favorite for the locals as well as for the travelers. The beach is located on the Foreaux Strait overlooking the Stewart Island and stretches over almost 26 kilometers (16 miles). The golden sands of this beach rise on the sand dunes behind the main beach area. In the middle the sand there is a safe surf zone. Thus, this place is also the base of the famous surf clubs of New Zealand.

Oreti Beach

Address: Oreti Beach, 9879, New Zealand

Website: Oreti Beach

7. Try mountain biking around Sandy Point

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sandy Point is located on the Southern end of Oreti Beach. The natural resources of Sandy Point used to serve a Maori settlement named Oue. Nowadays, Sandy Point is an excellent place for walking or for adventure Invercargill activities like mountain biking or horse riding. The trail for mountain biking runs through a pine forest; there are a few grades of biking levels, which you can try according to your capabilities. Sandy Point also provides biker’s facilities, like a parking area for their cars, restrooms, etc.

Mountain biking around Sandy Point

Address: 254 Sandy Point Rd, Invercargill Airport, Oreti Beach 9879, New Zealand

Website: Mountain biking around Sandy Point

8. Watch the seals of Nugget Point

Located on the Otago coast, Nugget Point is all about sea, seals and the lighthouse. It’s a great place for some Invercargill sightseeing adventures. A day trip from Invercargill is all set to give you a chance to explore the sea creatures in their natural habitat. The scattering islets look like nuggets, which has given birth to the name of the place. A short walk from the parking space will take you to the famous lighthouse. On the rocks just below the lighthouse, you can observe the seal colony. If you are lucky, you can also get a glimpse of the Elephant and Leopard seals.

Seals of Nugget Point

Address: The Nuggets Rd, Ahuriri Flat 9271, New Zealand

Website: Nugget Point

9. Go on a picnic or peaceful stroll through the Otepuni Gardens

Otepuni Gardens is located beside the Otepuni Stream. Located very close to the city center, this garden provides a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the central business hub. A walk through this park will also give you a chance to get a glimpse of the local lifestyle, as this park hosts weddings. It is also a favorite place for joggers and cyclists.

Otepuni Gardens

Address: Tyne St, Invercargill, 9810, New Zealand

Website: Otepuni Gardens

10. Have a day trip to Dee and Tay Street to travel through history

Dee and Tay Street can be described as the main street of Invercargill. The street has a number of historic buildings which still describe the glory of the past. The former Dee Street Hospital is the oldest public hospital in the country. Another interesting building is the Porter’s Lodge. The building was built in the year 1866, which is assumed as the oldest building in this town. The other interesting heritage spots of Dee Street are the St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Alexander Building; the building made of red brick, and the Grand Hotel located opposite it and the amazing Troopers’ Memorials. Tay Street is famous for buildings like the Civic Theatre, St John’s Anglican Church, the First Presbyterian Church, etc.

Dee and Tay Street

Address: Dee St, Invercargill, 9810, New Zealand

Website: Dee and Tay Street

11. Take a fun trip to Demolition World

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Demolition World can be described a man made wonder of the town. The place resembles a ghost town, where you can find recycled structures and mysterious mannequins. This ghost town features a classic old church, toy shop, and health clinic, along with creepy mannequins to complete the scene.

Demolition World

Address: 290 Bain St, Clifton, Invercargill 9812, New Zealand

Website: Demolition World

12. Hike through Estuary Walkway

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

After all the adventures around the city, if you are looking forward to a quiet hike amongst nature, then the Estuary Walkway is best for you. The hike through this walkway can be completed within a day. The northern part of this trail starts in Invercargill. The southern end of this track is at Stirling Point, Bluff. At Invercargill, the track starts on Stead Street.

Estuary Walkway

Address: Estuary Trail, Appleby, Invercargill 9812, New Zealand

Website: Estuary Walkway

The shades of the colonial city....

Although Invercargill is a city most famous for its colonial heritage, the city also offers an excellent variety of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars to give you a dose of modern lifestyle. If you are a fan of beer, you must end your trip with a visit to the Invercargill Brewery.