Venue guide: Invercargill

Home of the Stags: Ruby Park Stadium, Invercargill

Stadium: CStadium

Location: An easy 20-minute walk from the centre of town

Capacity: 17 000

Matches:

Scotland v Romania, Saturday September 10

Scotland v Georgia, Sunday September 14

Argentina v Romania, Saturday September 27

Stadium history:

Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill is the home of New Zealand domestic outfit the Southland Stags and provides the focal point of a very proud rugby region.

The ground was established over 100 years ago and was given an extensive face-lift in 2001; The brand new South Stand included the addition of a host of modern facilities; change rooms, a media area and hospitality lounges were among improvements made to a ground that has maintained its traditional charm.

The rest of the city:

Invercargill, proudly known as ‘the friendly city’ is an especially hospitable place, and it is the capital and economic heart of the Southland region. Situated at the southern tip of New Zealand, it is also one of the southern most cities in the world and boasts the picturesque backdrop of a lush green countryside and unspoilt coastline.

The numerous nature reserves in the area, plus the cultural life, make it a destination well worth visiting. Amongst those making a stop during the World Cup will be Scotland who play two games at Rugby Park and they will be made to feel at home thanks to the city’s rich Scottish heritage.

With a population of 51 000 people, Invercargill sits on the New River Estuary, and the port town of Bluff lies just 20 kilometres further south, providing an important link to the fishing industry. Other notable economic activity includes agriculture, horticulture, and manufacturing thanks to a local Aluminium smelter.

True to its line of latitude the area has a variable climate and can get rather cold, with maximum temperatures in the winter months hovering below 10°C.

Fun things to do and see:

For the visitor there is no shortage of activities whilst in the Invercargill, a destination which boasts an array of attractions for all types of visitors.

The natural splendour of Southland means that the region’s captail has a notable collection of reserves and parks on its door step. Hikes, wildlife and adventure sports are all on offer, while having the sea in close proximity means that it is also a fine location for fishing, boating and surfing.

Bluff is well worth a visit for its oysters, it’s panoramic views of the estuary, and as a gateway to New Zealand’s lesser known third island, Stewart Island which is home to the Kiwi and other native bird life. For those with diferent tastes the city itself boast numerous museums and historical buildings while also being something of a shopping hotspot.

Where to quench your thirst and fill your belly:

Anywhere you go in Invercargill will be guaranteed to have a warm atmosphere while fresh seafood is a must for obvious reasons. In sampling the best that the ocean has to offer there is no better place to go than Bluff where the Anchorage Cafe is worth the visit. Back in Invercargill Louie’s Cafe Bar is well recommended while Elegance at 148 on Elles is a classy restaurant well known for it’s Bluff oysters. For a breakfast stop there are numerous cafe’s in the city such at Ziff’s Cafe and Bar, while the Paddinton Arms and Speight’s Ale House will be well populated on match days.

Getting there and around:

Invercargill is well served by it’s airport, located just five minutes drive from the centre of town, with daily flights to and from Christchurch and Wellington. In terms of getting around once you’re there, walking is never a bad option in a city which is not all that large and extremely flat. There is however a public bus service which runs six days a week - not on Sundays - as well as a reliable taxi option. Further afield there are bus and shuttle services providing access to the other main cities on South Island, with regular trips to Dunedin, Queenstown and even Christchurch.