Click HERE for a map of Invercargill and surrounding areas

Invercargill lies in the centre of a wide area of the Southland plains, at the mouth of the Oreti River, close to rich farmlands, and large areas of conservation lands and marine reserves.  It is a 110 mile (180 kms) drive south of Queenstown and Dunedin is a 185 mile (218 kms) drive to the northeast.  The city is at the end of SH1 and SH6, and is therefore easy to get to for visitors touring north/south on the South Island.

Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost city, with a resident population of 52,000.  The town grew in the early days due to the activities in the whaling industry and gold mining.  Today, this popular, laid-back city is the capital of the Southlands region of the South Island, is the gateway to Stewart Island, just off the coast, and offers the easiest access to the stunning Fiordland National Park.

As the city name infers, there is a strong association with Scotland.  The area was settle by European immigrants in 1852, many of whom were from Scotland, with the Presbyterian Church of Scotland being the main missionary influence in the region.  The name Ivercargill was given to the town in the 1860's, and is taken from the Scottish gaelic word 'Inbhir', meaning 'rivers mouth' which give us " Inver ", and the 'cargill' comes from Captain William Cargill, who, at the time, was the political superintendent of the Otago region on the South Island, of which the Southlands was part.  Many of the city's streets are named after UK rivers, several located in Scotland, such as Dee, Tay, Spey, Esk, Tyne, and Thames.

Invercargill has everything to offer visitors, from a huge selection of bars, restaurants and cafes to try out, several boutique shops, antique shops, shopping malls and department stores to explore, and a bed for the night in every conceivable type of residence.  Accommodation choice is huge and every taste and budget is catered for.  The only trouble you might have, is choosing which ones to stay at!

Other attractions in the city and surrounding area include indoor swimming complexes, beautiful landscaped gardens and parks, art galleries and museums, sightseeing and flightseeing tours, horseback riding, historic buildings, beaches and coves, stunning walking and hiking trails and amazing scenery and coastal views at the Fiordland National Park.  the coastline offers wide, sandy beaches, secluded coves and rocky inlets, and supports a wide variety of wildlife, from the rare Hector's Dolphins, fur seals, and sealions, to yellow-eyed penguins, and a huge breeding colony of seabirds

There are regular nonstop flights from Wellington and Christchurch, but if you are travelling from or to Auckland then you will need to connect over one of these points. There are also regular flights to Stewart Island, so day trips or sightseeing trips for a couple of days is possible.

If you are looking to have a historic and cultural experience from your New Zealand visit, then a stop in Invercargill should be on your itinenrary.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS AND PRICES ARE CURRENTLY BEING CREATED, IF YOU NEED DETAILS AND PRICES AT THIS TIME PLEASE CALL OUR RESERVATIONS CENTRE