City of Museums: Invercargill and its Port of Bluff, on the ‘Isle of Vines’

There are plenty of reasons to visit the southernmost English-speaking city in the world!

EVERY now and then I drive from Queenstown to Invercargill — known as ‘Invers’ to the locals — to get bits and pieces for my car, to go shopping, or to get a pedicure, as Queenstown is notoriously expensive for personal services.

I drove south from Queenstown on State Highway 6. State Highway 1 continues southward to Bluff. I’ve added the names of some other local attractions that I’ll talk about below. Map data ©2019 Google. All maps, satellite views and aerial photos in this post have north at the top.

Invercargill is not just the southernmost city in New Zealand, but the southernmost of all the cities where English is the main language, in the whole world.

On one of my trips down there, I set off on the 18th of January, which is high summer here. The day was gloriously warm. But the next two days became wrap-up days, as they often are at the south end of New Zealand even in summer.

Up to now, Invercargill has been overshadowed by flashier and more adventuresome tourist destinations like Queenstown, famous for things like bungy jumping and skiing as well as the undoubted charms of Lake Wakatipu.

But Queenstown seems to be full up, and overpriced. Many backpackers and freedom campers are also being driven out of Queenstown and its restrictive environs.