Invercargill: Queens Park, City History and Vehicles

Queens Park, city history and automotive themes offer different focal points for a stay in Invercargill. If you’re looking for a hotel in Invercargill, you can plan your trip around these interests. The city offers insights ranging from the large park in the centre to historic vehicles and hands-on workshops.

Queens Park and the city’s history

Queens Park is in the centre of Invercargill and covers 81 hectares. It has been awarded the title “Five Star Garden of National Significance”. Its size and central location make it a clear point of reference in the city for a visit to the park.

Coronation Avenue is a grand, tree-lined path through the middle of the park. Running along a central axis, it connects all areas of Queens Park. The Band Rotunda in the park was built in memory of the musicians from Invercargill who were killed in the First World War.

The Town Hall and Civic Theatre are also part of the city’s history: for most of the 20th century, they were the centre of Invercargill’s local government and are historically significant. They are not open to the public.

At Queens Park, visitors can borrow a wheelchair free of charge and without a deposit for up to two hours. Confirm availability before your visit.

Historic vehicles and collections

Bill Richardson Transport World houses more than 300 vehicles and at least 200 petrol pumps. The collection continues to grow, so the numbers may change. E Hayes Motorworks Collection displays Burt Munro’s 1920 Indian Scout, “The Munro Special”. Individual exhibits may be moved or temporarily unavailable.

Classic Motorcycle Mecca is an exhibition of historic motor vehicles in Invercargill. Together with the collections at Bill Richardson Transport World and E Hayes, it offers another perspective on the city’s automotive theme: from an extensive collection to a single motorcycle with a particularly notable name.

Workshops and a self-guided tour

Seriously Good Chocolate Classes offer hands-on chocolate-making workshops in Invercargill for groups of at least ten people. Check with the provider for current availability.

The Invercargill Heritage Trail is a half-day, self-guided tour of 18 sites. It traces Invercargill’s development from a bush settlement to a significant commercial centre. As brochure details may change, check them when planning your specific tour.

In the wider Invercargill City destination

The wider Invercargill City destination offers additional coastal and landscape themes. The Foveaux Walkway runs along the coast of Motupōhue (Bluff). This easy, well-formed track offers views across Foveaux Strait to Dog Island Lighthouse, Ruapuku Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura.

The Glory Track is a bush walking track that passes a gun emplacement and an observation bunker from the Second World War. It also offers views across Foveaux Strait to Rakiura/Stewart Island and Dog Island Lighthouse.

Te Wahi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park has more than ten kilometres of mountain biking and walking tracks. At Omaui Reserve, a 1.5-kilometre loop track passes through regenerating coastal bush to an elevated viewing platform.

Omaui was first a Māori settlement and later a European whaling station, pilot station and quarantine station. Bluff is known for its Bluff oysters. These themes broaden the view of the wider Invercargill City destination, without reducing the city of Invercargill to its park and automotive history.

Discover more destinations: Bluff

Return to the wider travel overview: Invercargill City.