Invercargill, known as the 'Friendly City" is gateway to some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery
Invercargill, known as the 'Friendly City" is gateway to some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery. Surrounded by rugged mountains and clear rivers, it is the essence of unspoilt, untouched, natural vista.
Invercargill is both unique and diverse with a blend of modern architectural designs and charming historic buildings, each rich with culture and their own story. And of course you'll find a wealth of restaurants and cafes to cater to even the most discerning of food critiques.
Invercargill offers activities to suit every interest. Splash Palace - the local aquatic centre - features Olympic-sized pools, wave generator, swirl pools and saunas to relax in. Quality sports facilities and indoor rock climbing are avaiable at the Stadium Southland. Golf courses can be found in and around Invercargill along with cinemas, galleries, the distinctive pyramid that is the Southland Museums and a multitude of beautiful parks including Queens Park. Queens Park is 80 hectares of stunning themed gardens from Japanese to Winter and the Rose gardens. Queens park also comes complete with an impressive bird avery and animal enclosures, showing that Invercargill doesn't slack on anything.
For the avid outdoors persons, there are many trails to walk, tracks to mountain bike, fishing, hiking or bird watching. Oreti Beach provides excellent surf and to the east of Invercargill is the Catlins. World renown for its many natural wonders, the Catlins is a definite highlight of the Southern Scenic route.
With its rich heritage and vibrant central business district, Invercargill’s more than just the region’s commercial hub and tourist service centre.
The City of Water and Light buzzes with the prosperity of a thriving economy, the vivacity of student life and a history that marries the strong Maori and Celtic influence that pioneered the province.
Thirty kilometres south, nestled above Foveaux Strait, is the port town, Bluff, home of the iconic Bluff Oyster and a series of short coastal and bush walks.
Within a two-hour radius of Invercargill lie a wealth of internationally-acclaimed experiences, making the city the ideal base for those taking day trips. Banks, post offices, supermarkets, gyms, Internet and library facilities are all centrally located, within a short walk of each other.
The city has an open feel, a tribute to the forefathers’ legacy of wide, flowing streets - the cornerstone of Invercargill’s unhurried character.
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