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Menzies affairs in New Zealand

 

Menzies Clan Gathering in Invercargill 17-19 April 2020

Invercargill & Southland Attractions:

 

There are no organised trips for the Clan Gathering in April 2020.  Here is a list of attractions you might want to visit while you’re down. Some are free, and some have a cost.

Visit Queens Park and stroll through 80 hectares of beautifully kept gardens, wildlife habitats, and sports areas. Have a coffee at the Cheeky Llama Café. Highlights of this New Zealand Garden of National Significance include a stunning rose garden, a rhododendron dell, an azalea garden, a Japanese garden, bush paths through a selection of native plants, rock and herb gardens, and a stumpery. An indoor Winter Garden features tropical and flowering plants, and a range of cacti are displayed in an adjoining structure. The park also houses an impressive bird aviary, farmyard area, and animal enclosures. Whether exploring this botanic wonderland, working up a sweat on the fitness track, walking your dog down dramatic tree-lined paths, or picnicking with friends and family, Queens Park has something for everyone! Free admission.

Visit E Hayes to see the original Indian Scout motorbike that Burt Munro broke several land speed records with. Purchase a copy of “The World’s Fastest Indian” DVD. Then go out to Oreti Beach. The beach is often described as a "coastal highway" as it is one of the only beaches in New Zealand that vehicles are allowed to drive on. At around 26 kilometres in length, the beach provided Southland's motorcycling hero Burt Munro with a testing and racing site for his modified Indian motorcycle. In February 1957 Munro set a New Zealand Open Beach record of 131.38 mph at Oreti Beach; in 1975 he raised this to 136 mph. Oreti Beach was a key location for the film The World's Fastest Indian, which tells the story of Munro. Free admission during opening hours.

Visit Bill Richardson Transport World & Motorcycle Mecca. The largest private
automotive museum of its type in the world. If you're looking for things to do in Invercargill, then you can't miss Bill Richardson Transport World. With literally hundreds of motor vehicles and petrol pumps on display throughout 15,000sqm there is a lot to take in. An impressive body of work you will come to see a lifetime of passion on display. Be amazed by a restoration journey that has taken fifty years to establish. It is an absolute must see for anyone with a passion for wheels. Highlights include retro Kombi’s, Henry Ford Letter Cars, Model T’s, Diamond T Trucks, stunning 1930’s V8’s and over 200 vintage petrol pumps. Don't worry though if you're not a motoring enthusiast! Bill Richardson Transport World has been designed to impress even the least mechanically minded. Guests will find a growing wearable arts collection, movie theatre, children’s play zones and themed bathrooms fast becoming as famous as our vehicles. With so much to see, let us entertain you for a few hours or the whole day. Stop by and see for yourself why we are one of Invercargill's most highly rated tourist attractions. 
Welcome to Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Australasia's premier motorcycle museum. Find the largest display of classic motorcycles in the country with a collection ranging from 1902 - 2007. The bulk of this stunning collection was once housed in Nelson and known as NZ Classic Motorcycles.  It was sold to Transport World in May 2016. Given Transport World's natural enthusiasm for wheels and, Invercargill's celebrated obsession with motorcycles, it presented an opportunity of a lifetime. Widely regarded to be a world class display, this museum houses more than 300 motorcycles and artwork. All artwork is motorcycle related with some pieces considered just as valuable as the bikes. Classic Motorcycle Mecca includes solo, sidecar and even three wheeled automobiles and machinery from 1902 upwards. Over 60 manufacturers are represented (with some really astounding restorations) including a 1902 Peugeot Motorcycle to a 21st Century Simms Corbin Custom. You will find brands such as AJS, Ariel, BMW, Brough Superior, Harley Davidson, Henderson, Indian, Matchless and Rudge as well as little known brands such as Schwinn and Zundapp. The new-look Classic Motorcycle Mecca was relaunched in 2019, bigger and more diverse than ever before.  Japanese, motocross and speedway bikes have been added to the original collection of mostly British, European and American motorcycles. With spectacular exhibits, hero displays, prized artwork, themed on-site cafe and even themed toilets in the mix, it’s simply two-wheel paradise!  Tickets: Adult $30, Child $20, NZ Student $27.50, Senior 65+ $27.50, Family pass (2 Adults & up to 4 children) $75.00. There is the ability to purchase a Turbo Pass which gives you entry to both Transport World & Motorcycle Mecca. (You don’t have to visit them both on the same day!)

Go to our very own Seriously Good Chocolate Company, a chocolate manufacturer in the heart of Invercargill with a cafe and concept store. We serve delicious sweet and savoury food, great coffee and gourmet hot chocolates, and we sell a range of our seriously good chocolates and truffles - a perfect gift for someone special or a delectable sweet treat for yourself! All created on our premises using fresh local ingredients where-ever possible, our chocolates and cafe food have a seriously good reputation.

Our museum is currently closed due to it being an earthquake risk, but there will be a pop up museum open soon. Other museums you could go to include: Te Hikoi in Riverton (a half hour drive to the west), The Hokonui Moonshine Museum and The Eastern Southland Art Gallery, both of these are in Gore. Gore is ¾ hour north of Invercargill.  Unfortunately, the Wyndham museum has also closed due to it also being an earthquake risk.

Stewart Island is either a 20 minute flight or 1 hour ferry ride away. Visit Ulva island or have a tour around Oban township.

The Catlins is also another area to visit. With its lighthouse perched on a spur of land, Nugget Point provides a breathtaking viewing platform, while Slope Point intrigues as the South Island’s southernmost point. At Curio Bay watch the outgoing tide reveal a 180 million year old Jurassic forest. Another must visit lighthouse is the Waipapa Point Lighthouse where you have a big change of seeing some sea lions sunbathe. Travel inland to view the stunning McLean Falls, Purakaunui Falls and Matai Falls, some of the most photographed waterfalls in the world. There are more waterfalls to explore in The Catlins, some more known than the others. Walking tracks allow you to access these special scenic and historic sights. Short walks and longer tracks are scattered around the region, most are accessible straight off the main road, making it a perfect stop when traveling along the Southern Scenic Route.

Fiordland is 2 hours away. Base yourself in Te Anau or Manapouri before or after the Gathering and discover Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.

If adventure is more your thing, head on up to Queenstown and go bungy jumping, canyon swinging, jet boating or take a boat ride across Lake Wakatipu on the SS Earnslaw, the only remaining passenger-carrying steam ship in the Southern Hemisphere.

This is only a small selection of what is available in the Deep South.

 the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. t's the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere. It's the only remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere.