From Te Anau we drove to Invercargill, the most southern bigger city on South Island. The most southern town is Bluff, from where it’s just ~4800 km further down south and you’re on southpole.
Invercargill has a population of ~50000, from which are about 13000 students, as it is home to a Technical college free of charge. I was expecting a growing, urban and hip city-centre, but vacantness dominates. Most of the arcades and shops were closed, quite disappointing. The city seems to be the place-to-go in Southland district for buying new tractors and car. Kiwis like cars, i’ve seen quite a few american vintage cars from the 50ties, everyone in perfect condition.
We stayed at “Bavarian motel” for 2 days and enjoyed Netflix there and a good chinese restaurant nearby. That’s the benefit of staying in bigger cities, good internet and food besides the usual fish’n chips and steak pies the locals seem entirely to live on.