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New Zealand🇳🇿 | townsInvercargillSouthland flats, vintage engines, tuatara | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Invercargill
👀 For curious travelerstown ranked #19
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 16, 2026

The Bill Richardson Transport World and the tuatara in Queens Park aside, the detail to find is the Queens Park aviary, where free-roaming kākā-like chatter drifts over the rose gardens. Invercargill sits at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, in Southland. Flights from Christchurch are the smarter way in, because road legs from Queenstown eat a long day and the airport is minutes from town. I once hitched a lift from the airport with a farmer who detoured to show me a dairy shed. Quiet evenings, few hostels, little backpacker mixing. Suits Bluff, Stewart Island and car-museum fans, bores nightlife seekers.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #19 town in New ZealandThe unique appeal for travelers

Invercargill earns a night or two as the gateway to Bluff and Stewart Island, where the ferry and the Rakiura Track begin. Staying here beats paying island prices before you need to. The town is flat and walkable, with Queens Park and the E Hayes hardware store museum within easy strolls, and southern seafood is cheap and fresh. Expect a calm, small-hostel scene where you meet people at breakfast rather than in bars. Slow travelers, hikers and solo travelers on the Southern Scenic Route will like it. Anyone chasing nightlife should keep moving.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Invercargill

  1. Bill Richardson Transport World: a huge private collection of vintage cars, trucks and motorbikes, with a retro fuel-station gallery. Weekdays are quieter. Entry runs about NZ$20 to 25, and 1.5 to 2 hours covers it.
  2. E Hayes and Sons: a historic hardware store on Dee Street with a museum-like upper floor of old tools and bikes. Free, 30 to 45 minutes, best on a rainy morning.
  3. Queens Park: sprawling Victorian park with rose gardens, a small aviary and a winter garden. Free, 1 to 2 hours, loveliest on a clear afternoon.
  4. Te Moutere Tuatara Island: the tuatara enclosure in the Queens Park Animal Reserve, now home to the tuatara from the Southland Museum, which is closed for rebuilding. Open daily, about 30 minutes.
  5. Invercargill Brewery: local craft beer from a small brewery on Leet Street. Tasting
… read more 👉
  1. Bill Richardson Transport World: a huge private collection of vintage cars, trucks and motorbikes, with a retro fuel-station gallery. Weekdays are quieter. Entry runs about NZ$20 to 25, and 1.5 to 2 hours covers it.
  2. E Hayes and Sons: a historic hardware store on Dee Street with a museum-like upper floor of old tools and bikes. Free, 30 to 45 minutes, best on a rainy morning.
  3. Queens Park: sprawling Victorian park with rose gardens, a small aviary and a winter garden. Free, 1 to 2 hours, loveliest on a clear afternoon.
  4. Te Moutere Tuatara Island: the tuatara enclosure in the Queens Park Animal Reserve, now home to the tuatara from the Southland Museum, which is closed for rebuilding. Open daily, about 30 minutes.
  5. Invercargill Brewery: local craft beer from a small brewery on Leet Street. Tasting costs roughly NZ$10 to 20, and an hour suffices in the evening.
Bluff, Stewart Island, Curio Bay and the Catlins make good day trips from town. Pair Hayes with Queens Park for a relaxed, free, walkable day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Invercargill

Private Guided Xquisite 2 Hour Kingston Hill Climb (October – May)

Private Guided Xquisite 2 Hour Kingston Hill Climb (October – May)

5.0(10) 30m
From €180
per personViator
Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins Small Group 1 Way Tour

Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins Small Group 1 Way Tour

4.7(11) 9h
From €129
per personViator
Ferry Services Between Bluff and Stewart Island

Ferry Services Between Bluff and Stewart Island

4.3(12) 1h
From €72
per personViator
Invercargill to Te Anau Small Group Transfer

Invercargill to Te Anau Small Group Transfer

5.0(5) 2h
From €51
per personViator
Bill Richardson Transport World Museum Ticket

Bill Richardson Transport World Museum Ticket

5.0(2)
From €23
per personViator
Classic Motorcycle Mecca Museum Ticket

Classic Motorcycle Mecca Museum Ticket

5.0(1)
From €23
per personViator
Stewart Island Transfer Flight - One way

Stewart Island Transfer Flight - One way

0.0(0) 15m
From €247
per personViator
Full Island Scenic Flight

Full Island Scenic Flight

0.0(0) 2h
From €849
per personViator
Half Island Scenic Helicopter Flight of Stewart Island

Half Island Scenic Helicopter Flight of Stewart Island

0.0(0) 1h
From €617
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsNeighborhood guide to Invercargill

Invercargill is a flat grid, so areas are defined by streets and one big park rather than hills or districts. Knowing why helps you plan on foot.
  • CBD and Esk Street: The core runs along Dee and Tay Streets, built wide for bullock teams, so it feels spacious and empties by 5pm. Eat early at the cafes and pubs, and see the Pyramid-roofed Queens Park side instead of waiting for nightlife.
  • Queens Park: An 80-hectare park on the northern edge of the center with a small free animal enclosure, rose gardens and Southland Museum. Walk there in ten minutes.
  • Windsor and Waikiwi: Suburban strips with supermarkets and takeaways. Go here to resupply cheaply, since city prices undercut the Bluff and Stewart Island.
  • Bluff: A port 27 km south, known for oysters in season. Drive or bus, as it is not walkable from town.

⌛️ 1 day1-day itinerary for Invercargill

8:30 AM, Queens Park: Walk the rose gardens and aviary while it's quiet, then head along Gala Street toward the center.
10:30 AM, E Hayes and Sons: Browse the old tools and bicycles on Dee Street, then wander the heritage buildings nearby.
12:30 PM, Lunch on Esk Street: Grab a cheese roll, a local specialty, from a cafe.
2:00 PM, Bill Richardson Transport World: Spend two hours among vintage vehicles, a short drive or bus ride from the center.
4:30 PM, Oreti Beach (a lesser-visited detour): Drive or cycle to the wide, windswept beach where Burt Munro practiced his speed runs, and watch the sunset.
7:00 PM, Invercargill Brewery: Finish with a tasting and a pub meal.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

Summer (December to February) is warmest at roughly 18 to 20°C (64 to 68°F) with up to 16 hours of light, and the best time for Stewart Island and the Catlins.
  • Autumn and Spring: Cooler at 9 to 15°C (48 to 59°F), quieter, with cheaper beds.
  • Winter: Highs of 8 to 10°C (46 to 50°F), frosts, and about 8 hours of light, but aurora chances rise.
Book Stewart Island ferries and beds ahead for January.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The CBD around Dee and Tay Streets is the best base, with hostels, motels and holiday parks within a 10 to 15 minute walk of the bus stops, supermarkets and cafes. Dorm beds are limited, so book ahead in summer when Stewart Island travelers fill them. Traffic is light and nights are quiet, which suits sleeping and walking back after dinner. Campers and campervan travelers do well at the holiday parks on the northern fringe near Queens Park, where you get parking, kitchens and a short stroll into town.
Best hostels in New Zealand


Best quality hotels in New Zealand

🚌 Getting aroundTransportation options and practical tips

The center is a compact grid you can cross on foot in 15 minutes, and Queens Park is part of that walk, but anything beyond it, like the airport or Bluff, needs wheels because the city is spread out and low-density. Public transport is thin, so most backpackers rent a car or camper for the south.
  • Walking: Free and flat. Wide streets mean wind exposure, so carry a windproof layer.
  • Metro buses: Fares are about NZ$2 to 3 with a Bee Card, but services run roughly 7am to 6pm and are rare on weekends. Use them only for suburbs like Waikiwi.
  • Rental car or campervan: From about NZ$50 to 120 a day. The Catlins and Fiordland have no regular public service, so this is the smarter route, and fuel is cheaper in town than in rural stops.
  • Intercity and shuttle buses: Services to Queenstown or Dunedin run about
… read more 👉
The center is a compact grid you can cross on foot in 15 minutes, and Queens Park is part of that walk, but anything beyond it, like the airport or Bluff, needs wheels because the city is spread out and low-density. Public transport is thin, so most backpackers rent a car or camper for the south.
  • Walking: Free and flat. Wide streets mean wind exposure, so carry a windproof layer.
  • Metro buses: Fares are about NZ$2 to 3 with a Bee Card, but services run roughly 7am to 6pm and are rare on weekends. Use them only for suburbs like Waikiwi.
  • Rental car or campervan: From about NZ$50 to 120 a day. The Catlins and Fiordland have no regular public service, so this is the smarter route, and fuel is cheaper in town than in rural stops.
  • Intercity and shuttle buses: Services to Queenstown or Dunedin run about NZ$30 to 60 and take 3 to 4 hours. Book early, as few departures run daily.
  • Taxi or rideshare: Roughly NZ$15 to 25 to the airport (about 4 km).

👛 Costs (as of 16 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Invercargill

Budget backpackers should plan on about US$75 to 95 a day in Invercargill, and the high-season total below comes to US$88.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$25 to 35 (high season $35, low season $25)Dorm beds are few, so book ahead in summer. Holiday parks have cheaper cabins and campsites.
MealsUS$22 to 32Bakery pies and cafe lunches run US$5 to 12. Self-catering from Countdown or Pak'nSave is much cheaper.
Local transportUS$0 to 6The center is flat and walkable. A city bus ride costs about US$2 with a card.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 12Queens Park, the tuatara at Te Moutere Tuatara Island and the walking trails are free. Some attractions charge US$10 to 15.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Laundry, SIM data and the odd coffee at US$3 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$88Based
… read more 👉
Budget backpackers should plan on about US$75 to 95 a day in Invercargill, and the high-season total below comes to US$88.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$25 to 35 (high season $35, low season $25)Dorm beds are few, so book ahead in summer. Holiday parks have cheaper cabins and campsites.
MealsUS$22 to 32Bakery pies and cafe lunches run US$5 to 12. Self-catering from Countdown or Pak'nSave is much cheaper.
Local transportUS$0 to 6The center is flat and walkable. A city bus ride costs about US$2 with a card.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$0 to 12Queens Park, the tuatara at Te Moutere Tuatara Island and the walking trails are free. Some attractions charge US$10 to 15.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Laundry, SIM data and the odd coffee at US$3 to 4.
Total Daily BudgetUS$88Based on high-season dorm pricing.
Cook your own dinners, since supermarket meals cost roughly a third of eating out and most hostels have full kitchens.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Invercargill is a strong base for day trips because the best sights lie 30 to 120 minutes away on sealed roads, though most need a car.Bluff and Stirling Point: A 25 minute drive reaches the end of State Highway 1 and its signpost, with walks on Bluff Hill. Oysters run roughly March to August. Costs are fuel plus about NZ$25 for a seafood plate. Go on a clear day for views to Stewart Island.
Curio Bay and the Catlins: About 90 minutes each way, with petrified forest at low tide and sea lions or Hector’s dolphins in Porpoise Bay. Check tide times first, as many visitors arrive at high water and see nothing. Budget NZ$40 to 70 for fuel and food.
👉 Explore Curio BayRiverton: A 40 minute drive to a quiet fishing village with cafes, galleries and a beach. Cheap, unhurried, and good in summer.
👉 Explore Riverton

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Invercargill is very safe and calm, with low violent crime. Take usual care by locking cars, since thefts from parked vehicles happen at trailheads and car parks, so keep valuables out of sight. Walking alone at night is generally fine in the center, though it is nearly empty after dark and poorly served by buses. Weather is the bigger annoyance: wind and sudden cold can catch you out, so carry a waterproof layer. No notable scams exist.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Invercargill

Invercargill is worth a day or two rather than being only a stopover, mainly for what surrounds it. Bluff is 25 minutes south, Curio Bay and the Catlins are about 90 minutes east, and the Stewart Island ferry leaves from Bluff. The city itself offers Queens Park, the museum and a quiet pub scene.
Two days suits most backpackers, with one for the city and Bluff and one for a Catlins loop. Add a further 2 to 3 days if you plan to cross to Stewart Island, which takes about 1 hour by ferry. Rushing the Catlins in a single afternoon means missing tide-dependent sights like Curio Bay.
Yes, but only from a nearby base like Queenstown or Dunedin if you start early, since each is about 3 to 4 hours away by road, making a round trip heavy. Invercargill is better as a base for the south. Intercity buses cost roughly NZ$30 to 60 one way, so overnighting is usually more practical.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other New Zealander towns near Invercargill

Explore more nearby:

  • Te Anau—Fiordland gateway, glowworm caves, takahē| 121 km away
  • Queenstown—Lake Wakatipu, steamship, Remarkables, late-night burgers| 156 km away
  • Wānaka—Lone willow, Roys Peak ridge, sofa cinema| 201 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Two nights is right: one to see the town and one as a buffer before the Stewart Island ferry. Skip a longer stay unless you love cars. I would hire a bike for Oreti Beach and book the ferry ahead.

✈️ When did I visit New Zealand?
All the way back in high school I have been visiting the North Island of New Zealand (1993).

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in New Zealand, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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