Guide12 Hours Invercargill

Chances are you came to Invercargill by way of car, bus, plane or a combination thereof. Bill Richardson Transport World is nothing short of a menagerie celebrating all things that ‘go’. Every room in this seemingly endless building is expertly curated, and nearly all of the 300-odd vehicles are roadworthy, making this place a living museum. More than 200 vintage petrol pumps give a nod to the stuff that powers our modern economy. A collection of vintage prams and lawn mowers remind visitors that transport is about so much more than flash old cars. Even the toilets are themed.

Pop in to The Batch for lunch and you’ll soon understand why this cafe has been around for almost a decade and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As owner Donna Hamilton says, “If we’re going to serve it we’re going to make it ourselves”. The team grows all the herbs and flowers used and the cabinet and menu are bursting with colour and flavour as a result. Even the jams, relishes and hollandaise sauce are made in house. And be sure to try their savoury scones with your lunch as they’re famous in their own right.

For a bit of retail therapy visit Liz Thomas Designer Clothing. Housed in one of Invercargill’s oldest buildings this shop boasts a vaulted ceiling, antique trim and warm lighting which creates an air of old timely glamour in which to try on new era fashion. Liz Thomas offers one of the most complete collections of Kiwi labels in the South Island with luxurious pieces from Yu Mei, Nom*d, Deadly Ponies, Taylor, Jimmy D, Jane Daniels, Zambessi, MILD RED, Salassi and Nyne.

Anyone with even the tiniest sweet tooth would be remiss to skip the Seriously Good Chocolate Shop whilst in Invercargill. Jane Stanton has built this chocolate business over the last twenty years with one goal - to use chocolate as a medium with which to promote New Zealand to the world. Check out her world famous wine chocolates and sheep’s poo - freeze dried boysenberries covered in milk chocolate. They’re tart yet creamy and extremely moreish. If it’s a chilly day, order a proper hot chocolate to soothe your soul.

Now you'll be full up on chocolate, pay a visit to the E Hayes Motorworks Collection to view Burt Munro's authentic, original and legendary 1920 customised Indian motorcycle on which he set a 1967 world record.

Once you've perused the rest of E Hayes's extensive collection of vintage and classic motorbikes, cars and machines, pop into The Pantry, a non-profit store and cafe where all proceeds are invested back into community projects. It’s a positive feedback loop that just makes sense and has been a hub for community, sustainability and learning since 2017.

Even if it’s not yet 5 p.m. find your way to Tuatara Cafe for some of the best craft beer and cider that the South Island has to offer. In addition to craft pours from the likes of Two Thumb, Three Boys, Eruption and Beer Baroness, Tuatara has their very own craft beer and cider on tap. Made with spray-free heritage fruit sourced from Otago, their ‘Gadoochi’ cider is delicious and lives somewhere far outside the scope of cider you find at the supermarket. Chase it all down with one of their delicious handcrafted pizzas.

Wrap up your 12 hour tour of Invercargill at one of the most legendary spots in town, Louie’s. With a following that runs three generations deep in some cases, you are in for a treat here. The menu is small and simple yet vast when it comes to the number of carefully curated flavours, foraged garnishes, locally sourced ingredients and artful presentations. Locally caught seafood is expertly prepared and an extensive wine list plus a dimly lit atmosphere make this place special in its own right.