Invercargill Things to Do

We couldn't miss this memorial on our walk around Invercargill, as it was situated in the middle of a busy roundabout.
It is a very impressive looking memorial, built out of granite, it also has a clock, and then a lone trooper which is made out of marble, stands a -top. It was built in memory of those who lost their lives in the Boer war.

Evidently, there has been much controversy over the site, people think it should have been situated in a less busy situation, may be a good point!

The Civic Theatre Complex is another building in Invercargill built in English Renaissance style. The Theatre is over 100years old, and is one of Invercargill’s landmark buildings and is still in use today.

It was originally the Invercargill Town Hall and was opened in 1906. The Civic Theatre Complex as it is now known, was extensively renovated and officially reopened in April 2005. Originally built as municipal offices with lecture hall and theatre, connected by the dress circle staircase, the offices and hall have been transformed into function rooms at the front of the Theatre, but the back of house had not been touched.

When restoring, special features were not destroyed, so the Theatre still has Edwardian decor style surroundings of gold plasterwork and deep red carpets, plus state of the art performing art facilities.

The auditorium comfortably seats 1015 and each seat has individual heating and air-conditioning vents located in the floor beneath, how nice in this cold area, it would stop frozen feet!

The complex is popular for a range of activities including productions, ballet, opera, drama, concerts, and much, much more!

So glad it was restored, as it is another lovely building in Invercargill!

Built in 1896, the Victoria Railway Hotel was built to serve train travelers to the region. This is an impressive looking Hotel, with lovely architecture. In 1907 the hotel was expanded with it's first major upgrade to cater for increased demand. In 2003, the Hotel was closed for restoration back to its former glory.
Accommodation is available with modern facilities, and the Restaurant has a good array of meals, but don't expect cheap prices!

Enjoy stepping back in time in this beautiful Hotel!

The heritage walk is worth doing as there are lots of old beautiful buildings here.

You can pick up a brochure, which includes a map and information on the sights, at the Information Centre, located in the Southland Museum, gala street, Invercargill.
Open 8 - 5 daily.
If you view everything on the brochure, then it would take a half day getting around in a car, and stopping at the sights as well as doing some walking.

The Heritage Trail highlights Invercargill's wide variety of historic architectural style that makes the city unique. The prosperity of the 1880's and 1890's is evident in the wealth of quality Victorian buildings and examples of Edwardian architecture. The large number of Art Deco style buildings indicates the Depression of the 1930's, while the wool boom in the 1950's is evident by buildings in the style of the modernist movement.

The Heritage walk brochure I picked up from the Information centre was a good way to learn and see the sights of Invercargill heritage sights.

One of them was the beautiful St Mary's Roman Catholic Basilica which was built in the renaissance style in 1905.

The Animal Reserve locted at the park is a good area for children. They can walk through and see the animals at close range. They are mainly domestic animals like Chickens, Guinea pigs, Rabbits [Enderby Island Rabbits], Pigs, Wallabies, Goats, Alpaca and more.
The walk through part of the reserve is open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm. However you can see many of the animals from outside the walk through area at all times. They ask you not to feed the animals.

What we liked, was the Aviary, because here was our chance to view the New Zealand birds that we hadn't been able to spot in the wild.
We walked through a large domed aviary with doves, budgerigars, canaries and cockatiels.

We saw the South Island kaka and the cheeky Kea, and the rarest waterfowl in the world, the Campbell Island Teal and the Antipodes Island Parakeet.

OPEN 8am until dusk.
The walk-through flight closes at 4.30pm daily.
ADMISSION IS FREE
You are asked not to feed the birds.

Who is Henry, you may ask?

Henry is a live Tuatara that lives in an outdoor "Tuatarium" at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery. The Museum received a large male Tuatara transferred from a zoo in 1961 named George, then a mate named Stephanie. George died in 1971 and was replaced with Henry who also came from Stephens Island.

Stephanie died in 1980 during excessively cold weather and was replaced by Mildred later the some year. Lucy and Albert arrived in 1982 and the first successful breeding resulted after improvements to climate controls within the enclosure.

In 1991 the Museum received a colony of one year old Tuatara from North Brothers Island in Cook Strait, a separate rare and endangered species with only an estimated 400 surviving.
Once they breed this endangered species, their offspring are planned to be released back to restore two new island populations.

The Southland Museum and Art Gallery is the world’s leading captive centre for Tuatara starting with its first breeding success in 1984.

This Museum is situated on the edge of Queens park.

You could not possibly miss it as it is a distinctive pyramid shaped building. We went and had a look as admission was FREE! There was quite a wide range of exhibits and activities. Of interest, was the Maori gallery, there was a Roaring 40's sub-Antarctic experience, Victorian-era rooms and Southland's natural history and fossil record.
Touring exhibitions can be seen here.
The Burt Munro exhibit is a tribute to a Southern legend and land speed record holder.
The art galleries host a range of exhibits from national artists, as well as a community gallery which showcases local talent.

Admission to the Museum is FREE. A donation is appreciated.

The Museum is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday. (Every day except Christmas dAY)