Rainy Day in Invercargill: 6 Best Motoring Museums, Speed Machines & Cheese Rolls
Rainy Day in Invercargill: 6 Best Motoring Museums, Speed Machines & Cheese Rolls
As New Zealand’s southernmost city, Invercargill (Waihōpai) is legendary for its wild Southern Ocean weather, nostalgic heritage streets, and genuine southern hospitality (Manaakitanga). When cool Antarctic rain sweeps across Southland, the city reveals its greatest secret: Invercargill possesses the most extraordinary vintage motoring and speed heritage museums in the world.
Whether you want to wander among hundreds of mint-condition classic trucks and wearable art gowns, inspect the original land-speed record motorcycle of Burt Munro, swim in an Olympic aquatic center, or savor piping hot Southland cheese rolls beside an open fire, here are six of the best rainy-day activities in Invercargill.
🚛 1. Get Lost in Bill Richardson Transport World
Spanning over 15,000 square metres, Bill Richardson Transport World is the largest private automotive and transport museum in the Southern Hemisphere.
Built from the lifelong passion of Southland businessman Bill Richardson, the museum houses over 300 pristine vintage trucks, rare 1930s Ford V8s, retro petrol pumps, and antique farm equipment. But it is far more than a vehicle garage: the museum features a world-class collection of wearable arts creations, a gallery of vintage retro fashion, and interactive play areas for kids.
- Café Tip: The on-site The Grille Café serves outstanding southern breakfasts, gourmet burgers, and flat whites surrounded by retro Americana decor.
- Location: 491 Tay Street, Hawthorndene, Invercargill.
- Hours: Open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Admission: Adults approx. $37.50 NZD; Children (5–14) $20.00 NZD.
🏍️ 2. Inspect Rare Speed Machines at Classic Motorcycle Mecca
Located in the heart of downtown Invercargill inside two beautifully restored heritage buildings on Tay Street, Classic Motorcycle Mecca houses the Southern Hemisphere’s leading motorcycle collection.
Over 300 impeccably restored vintage motorcycles spanning from 1902 to the modern era are displayed across two gleaming levels: rare Brough Superiors, Vincents, classic Harley-Davidsons, Indians, and British roadsters. The collection also features the world's most extensive tribute to motorcycle legend John Britten and his iconic handmade V1000 superbike.
- Location: 25 Tay Street, Invercargill Central.
- Hours: Open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Admission: Adults approx. $37.50 NZD (or buy a discounted combo pass with Transport World for $60.00 NZD).
🏁 3. See the Real "World's Fastest Indian" at E Hayes and Sons
You don’t have to pay a single dollar of admission to see one of the most famous machines in motorsport history. E Hayes and Sons on Dee Street is an operational, family-owned hardware store that houses the genuine Burt Munro 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle.
Burt Munro modified this 1920 machine in his Invercargill cinder-block shed for over 40 years before shipping it to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where in 1967 (at age 68) he set an under-1000cc world land speed record of 184.087 mph (296.11 km/h)—a record that still stands unbroken today.
- Location: 168 Dee Street, Invercargill Central.
- Hours: Open Monday to Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm; Saturday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
- Admission: Completely free.
🧀 4. Taste Legendary Southland Cheese Rolls ("Southern Sushi")
No visit to Invercargill on a damp day is complete without indulging in Southland’s iconic culinary staple: the Southland Cheese Roll (affectionately dubbed "Southern Sushi").
Made from white sandwich bread rolled around a savory filling of grated sharp cheddar, evaporated milk, and onion soup mix, then toasted until golden and slathered with melted butter, it is the ultimate comfort food. Head to The Batch Café (173 Spey St) or Zookeepers Café (50 Tay St) for the crispest, cheesiest rolls in town paired with rich flat whites.
🏊 5. Warm Up at Splash Palace Aquatic Centre
When cold rain sets in, head to Splash Palace, Invercargill's world-class public aquatic centre in Elizabeth Park.
The facility features a 50-metre indoor heated Olympic pool, an indoor learners' pool with water spray jets, a rapid river channel, and an exciting 100-metre indoor hydroslide. Adults can warm up to the core inside the 38°C hydrotherapy spa, eucalyptus steam room, and dry cedar sauna.
- Location: 56-58 Elles Road, Invercargill.
- Hours: Open Monday to Friday 6:00 am – 9:00 pm; Weekends 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.
- Admission: Adult swim approx. $7.00 NZD.
🚜 6. Operate Giant Excavators at Dig This Invercargill
Ever wanted to drive a 15-tonne excavator or a 5-tonne bulldozer? Dig This Invercargill is New Zealand’s only heavy equipment playground.
Operating from fully enclosed, heated climate-controlled operator cabs, you don't have to get wet while learning to maneuver massive hydraulic diggers, push giant dirt mounds, crush cars, and play heavy-machinery basketball.
- Location: 84 Otepuni Avenue, Newfield, Invercargill.
- Hours: Open Thursday to Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Admission: Packages from approx. $160.00 NZD.
🗺️ Invercargill Rainy Day Blueprint
- Morning: Start with flat whites and toasted cheese rolls at The Batch Café, then inspect Burt Munro's speed machine at E Hayes and Sons.
- Midday: Spend two unhurried hours admiring vintage motorcycles at Classic Motorcycle Mecca.
- Afternoon: Drive to Bill Richardson Transport World to explore 300+ classic trucks and wearable art gowns.
- Evening: Head to Splash Palace for a relaxing sauna and spa session, followed by dinner at The Grille. For sunny days, see our Invercargill 3-day itinerary, check southern walks in Invercargill walks & hikes, and find motels in where to stay in Invercargill.
❓ Invercargill in the Rain: Real Questions, Real Answers
Is Bluff worth visiting on a rainy day?
If heavy cloud obscures the sea, the famous Stirling Point signpost will be wet and windy. However, Bluff’s seafood cafes (serving freshly shucked world-famous Bluff oysters in season from March to August) are warm and welcoming in any weather.