OPINION: It was once described as "the asshole of the world" by the Rolling Stones. The notorious Splash Palace pool pooper of 2015 is still remembered today.
Most recently Invercargill copped it when a couple couldn't bear to stay for more than 24-hours in an Air New Zealand mystery-package-gone-wrong.
- 'Mystery pooper' causes frustration in Invercargill
- 'Mystery Break' takes disappointed couple to Invercargill
Sure, when you first arrive it seems grim and grey, and everybody talks with an unusual rolling accent. Plus, there's no denying this couple's '4-5 star accommodation' was anything but.
But why does Invercargill get such a bad rap from people who have never been there? I refuse to believe this couple gave my hometown a fair, unbiased go before they packed their bags and left one day later.
Here are some of the great things about Invercargill.
Oreti beach
A 20-minute drive and you'll reach Oreti Beach on the Southern Coast - one of the few stretches of sand you can drive along in the country. It's 26km long and perfectly flat.
It was a key location for iconic Kiwi film The World's Fastest Indian, which tells the story of Southland motorcycling icon Burt Munro.
Nightlife
It may be a small town, but some of my best nights out have been in Invercargill. If you start your night off at the Waikiwi Tavern you're guaranteed a good time.
The bouncers are relaxed, drinks are cheap and there's a mechanical bull in the corner. If you're lucky you'll catch the annual jelly pit wrestling competition.
The pub is always packed-out and full of friendly faces - whether you're from around town or not.
Continue into town and you'll likely find a similar situation - even McDonald's goes off at 2am.
Chance to meet a local celebrity
Take a walk around town and you've got a chance of seeing local celebrity Mayor Tim Shadbolt scootering past. What more could you want?
Gateway to the Catlins
Less than an hour out of Invercargill is an otherwise highly-unattainable part of New Zealand. The Catlins is home to penguins and dolphins, with dozens of waterfall-walkways and beaches.
Unlike other tourist destinations around the country, this one's never crowded. I've had days where I've kept the whole beach to myself.
It's daylight until 11pm in summer
Being the southernmost city has its perks. It'll stay light until near 11pm in November and December. In Auckland the sun sets closer to 9pm.
Bluff oysters
I hate oysters - they're basically edible slugs but they seem to bring a lot of people down south. So if you're into that, they're fresh in Invercargill.
For a town that has a lot to offer, it's unfortunate that the negative perception is so infectious - so much so that a Facebook group called 'Invercargill Whinge' has more than 11,000 members.
Sure, the highlights of the southernmost city don't jump out at you straight away - but if you stick around for longer than a day, it might just surprise you.
Ella Prendergast is a Newshub digital producer and proud Southlander.
