South Island · Invercargill
Campervan hire in Invercargill
Invercargill is the deep south proper, the southernmost mainland pickup and the quiet start of a trip most travellers only ever finish. From here it is a short run to Bluff for the Stewart Island ferry, or east along the Southern Scenic Route into the Catlins for empty beaches, sea lions and podocarp forest. Start your northbound trip here when you want the crowds well behind you before you begin.
Nearest airport
IVC
3 km north-west of the CBD
Nearest drive
25m
to Bluff (Stewart Island ferry)
Peak season
Summer
Long days
Council rule
Flexible
freedom camping
Getting your van
Pickup logistics in Invercargill
Taxis and Uber; the CBD is a 10-minute drive.
Airport
Invercargill Airport (IVC)
3 km north-west of the CBD
Pickup area
Invercargill / Southland
Self-contained
Not always required
All our vans are certified.
- Invercargill is a quiet, flat, easy pickup city — no traffic, no hills.
- It's the natural gateway to Stewart Island (via Bluff ferry) and the Catlins.
Real drive times
How far from Invercargill?
Sealed-road driving times based on Waka Kotahi (NZTA) distances. Add 20% for a loaded campervan.
Bluff (Stewart Island ferry)
Te Anau
Queenstown
Dunedin (via Catlins)
Take the scenic Catlins route, not SH1
Milford Sound
Slope Point
Where you can (and can’t) sleep
Freedom camping rules
Invercargill has a permissive stance for certified self-contained vehicles at several designated sites. Southland district has generous options.
Council rules
Invercargill City Council + Southland District Council
- Invercargill has designated freedom-camping sites; check the ICC website for the current map.
- Southland District allows non-self-contained camping at specific sites — details vary, check signage.
- The Catlins have some of NZ's best low-cost DOC campsites.
DOC & regional sites
- · Purakaunui Bay (Catlins, 1h 15m east)
- · Papatowai (forest and beach, ~1h east)
- · Curio Bay (petrified forest, penguins, ~1h 15m east)
Holiday parks
- · Invercargill Top 10 Holiday Park
- · Bluff Motor Camp (5 min from Stewart Island ferry)
- · Riverton Rocks Holiday Park (30 min west, coastal)
Public dump stations in Invercargill (near the racecourse) and Bluff are free and well-signed.
Suggested trip
Southern Scenic Route (Invercargill → Queenstown)
5 days, ~600 km, huge variety
- 1
Day 1
Pickup, drive to Bluff for the "Stirling Point" sign (start of SH1), oysters if in season. Overnight Riverton.
- 2
Day 2
West through Tuatapere and Manapōuri to Te Anau (2h 30m). Prep for Milford.
- 3
Day 3
Milford Sound day trip and cruise.
- 4
Day 4
North to Queenstown (2h 15m). Afternoon on the lakefront.
- 5
Day 5
Return via Cromwell and Alexandra, or drop the van in Queenstown for a one-way trip.
When to come
Season by season in Invercargill
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Long days
15–20°C, sunlight until 10 pm, sandflies present.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Wild coast
Big Southern Ocean swells, empty roads.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cold & clear
2–8°C, frost, aurora australis possible on clear nights.
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Windy & fresh
Best for surfers and photographers.
Before you go
Trip essentials
- Bluff oysters (Mar–Aug) are a genuine bucket-list food — worth a detour.
- The Southern Scenic Route is well-signed and takes you through the best of Southland.
- Sandfly repellent is essential south and west of Invercargill.
Fuel & food
Supermarkets & fuel
- Pak'nSave Invercargill (best-value in Southland)
- Countdown Invercargill
- Waitomo and NPD stations for cheap fuel
Good across Invercargill and along SH1. Signal drops in Fiordland valleys and on the Catlins back roads.
Locals only
Invercargill tips most visitors miss
E Hayes hardware store houses Burt Munro's original "World's Fastest Indian" motorbike — free entry.
Riverton (30 min west) has the best beach sunsets in the south — cook dinner in the van and watch.
The classic Bluff-to-Cape-Reinga road-trip starts at Stirling Point — take the photo.
Real questions, real answers
Frequently asked
Is Invercargill worth visiting?
As a base, absolutely — the Catlins east and Fiordland north-west are two of NZ's best regions, both within 2 hours.
Can I get to Stewart Island in a van?
Vehicles don't go across. Park in Bluff, take the passenger ferry for the day or overnight.
Are sandflies bad?
Yes in Fiordland and on the west coast. Have repellent (picaridin or DEET) and long sleeves at dusk.
The case for Invercargill
Why start your journey in Invercargill
Southernmost mainland pickup
Invercargill is as far south as a mainland pickup gets, which means every kilometre of the trip is spent moving through country you have not seen yet.
Gateway to the Catlins
Hidden waterfalls, petrified forest, sea lions and empty coastlines start within an hour of leaving the depot.
Stewart Island access
The Bluff ferry terminal is 30 minutes from town, so a two- or three-day Rakiura escape slots easily into a longer trip.
Quiet southern roads
Southland has some of the country's emptiest highways, giving a calmer first day of driving than any other South Island base.
Route ideas from Invercargill
Three trips people actually take
The Catlins coast
Secret waterfalls, dramatic cliffs, Nugget Point and Curio Bay along one of the country's great hidden drives.
Stewart Island escape
Park in Bluff and ferry across to Rakiura for native forest, rare birdlife and dark-sky nights.
Southern Scenic Route
Follow the bottom of the South Island through rainforests and coastal towns to Fiordland.
Why book on Campervana
What every booking includes
Certified self-contained vans, listed by vetted local operators
Instant NZD quotes with the full price shown up front
85% of every booking goes straight to the partner, not middlemen
Real people to message if plans change before or during the trip
Frequently asked
Questions travellers ask about Invercargill
Where is the best place to pick up a campervan in Southland?
Invercargill is the southernmost mainland pickup on Campervana, which gives you the shortest run to the Catlins, Bluff and the Stewart Island ferry.
Can I take my rental campervan to Stewart Island?
Vehicles are not carried on the Stewart Island ferry, but Bluff has secure parking so you can leave the van and cross on foot for a few days on the island.
What is the Southern Scenic Route from Invercargill?
It is the touring loop that links Invercargill with Dunedin through the Catlins, or heads west towards Te Anau and Fiordland, taking in wild beaches, rainforest and alpine vistas.
The trip in one line
5 days, ~600 km, huge variety
Southern Scenic Route (Invercargill → Queenstown). Every kilometre planned from a real map, not a brochure.
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