Invercargill
From the beginning the city, built on flat ground, was designed to impress
by its spaciousness. The roads in the city centre are wide and Queens Park
is a large area near the centre of the city.
As the population grew, fine buildings were erected and Invercargill people
have ensured that many of these buildings like the Masonic Lodge building
still witness to the city's architectural heritage. A walk entitled
"Historic Invercargill" is set out in a brochure which gives the history of
a number of the city's most interesting buildings.
Invercargill - The Masonic Temple building in Forth Street - Credit- Peter Hunt
Invercargill has a Licensing Trust which ensures that the profits from the
sale of alcohol are used in projects to benefit the community. The
Licensing Trust has a monopoly on the development of licensed premises and
associated accommodation in the Invercargill area. It has contributed from
its profits to many cultural, sports and welfare bodies, including the
Library, the Southland Art Gallery, the Surrey Park Grandstand Appeal.
The Southern Institute of Technology has provided for students an
opportunity unique in New Zealand - the Zero Fee Scheme, made possible by
funding from the Community Trust of Southland, the Invercargill Licensing
Trust, the Invercargill City Council, the Southland District Council, and
the Gore District Council. This has led to an influx of students to
Invercargill.
Invercargill - The Jessie Calder Memorial Rose Garden at Queens Park - Credit- Peter Hunt
Queens Park has lovely gradens and for those who want sporting facilities
there are a bowling club, a croquet club, a cricket ground, and a golf
course. Children are catered for with a playground and a splash pool.
Invercargill - Southland Museum and Art Gallery - Credit- Peter Hunt
The Southland Museum and Art Gallery are in a building on the edge of
Queens Park and will catch the attention of all who visit the area as it is
in the form of a huge pyramid.
Invercargill - One of Invercargill's tuatara - Credit- Peter Hunt
A special feature of the museum is the tuatarium inhabited by fifty live
tuatara. The breeding programme has been very successful. Tuatara are now
found only on the offshore islands or in captivity on the New Zealand
mainland. Their environment in the museum simulates their natural
environments. Visitors to Queens Park can see the tuatara even when the
museum is closed as there is a bullet-proof window in their area through
which they can be viewed even at night.
From Invercargill the traveller can easily carry on to Bluff and go across
to Stewart Island.
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