Invercargill Water Tower
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Invercargill Water Tower

4.4
·152 reviews·Invercargill, New Zealand

An iconic 1889 red-brick water tower, standing 31.5m tall, a unique historical landmark in Invercargill.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daylight hours

Best for photos

CrowdLow
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Invercargill Water Tower

Invercargill Water Tower

Best Time

Daylight hours

Best for photos

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An iconic 1889 red-brick water tower, standing 31.5m tall, a unique historical landmark in Invercargill.

4.4
(152 reviews)

"The never-disappointing Invercargill Water Tower is the most satisfying of all NZ's famous attractions."

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Capture stunning photos of this unique landmark, especially with the red brick against a blue sky.

🅿️ Convenient Parking

Free parking is available directly opposite the tower, making it easy to stop and admire.

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Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Iconic Red-Brick Tower

The Iconic Red-Brick Tower

A striking 31.5-meter tall red-brick structure, a testament to 1889 engineering and design.

Architectural Details

Architectural Details

Admire the intricate brickwork and historical design that disguises the original water tank.

Panoramic Views (Past)

Panoramic Views (Past)

Though no longer accessible, it once offered a unique 360-degree view of the city.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit

While the Invercargill Water Tower is a year-round attraction, consider visiting during daylight hours for the best photographic opportunities. Weekends might see more local activity, but crowds are generally minimal.

Understanding Its Significance

This iconic red-brick tower, built in 1889, is a significant historical landmark. It was designed to disguise a steel water tank and provide high-pressure water supply for the city. Its unique architecture stands out in the flat landscape of Invercargill.

Best Times

When
Daylight hours
Why
Best for photos
Crowd
Low
When
Weekdays
Why
Fewer local visitors
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We fu*kd! #bolwthisup #invercargillnz #repost #privateroads🇲🇽
@theanimwilson
69K likes • 527.4K views

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Capture stunning photos of this unique landmark, especially with the red brick against a blue sky. Instagram+1

🅿️ Convenient Parking

Free parking is available directly opposite the tower, making it easy to stop and admire. Reddit

Invercargill is New Zealand’s greatest city 🇳🇿 #invercargill #newzealand #nz #nztravel
@jeffoswag
13.1K likes • 308.7K views
Invercargill Water Tower #beautifulplaces #fbreelsfypシ゚viralシ #historicalplacestovisit #hightlightseveryone
vhieevangelista
4 likes • 52 views

🖼️ Art Inspiration

The tower has inspired local artists, with paintings and commissions being a popular theme. Instagram+1

💡 Historical Context

Learn about its construction in 1889 to disguise a water tank and provide pressure. Reddit

Yet another Water Tower commission. #watertower #Invercargill #nzart #nzartist #nz #watercolour
evemcsoriley_art
12 likes • 286 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Capture stunning photos of this unique landmark, especially with the red brick against a blue sky. Instagram+1

🅿️ Convenient Parking

Free parking is available directly opposite the tower, making it easy to stop and admire. Reddit

🖼️ Art Inspiration

The tower has inspired local artists, with paintings and commissions being a popular theme. Instagram+1

💡 Historical Context

Learn about its construction in 1889 to disguise a water tank and provide pressure. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(152 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors praise the Invercargill Water Tower for its striking red-brick architecture and historical significance, noting it as a picturesque landmark and a satisfying attraction. While it's not accessible for climbing, its visual appeal and convenient free parking make it a worthwhile stop for photos and a glimpse into Invercargill's past.

"Nice architecture to take a look and capture some photo moments. There are free parking opposite that you can park."

Michael

"Beautiful architecture. It is managed by water works. Not able to go in and kept clean. Still standing strong for an old tower."

MT

"Invercargill is built on almost entirely flat land. A major landmark in Invercargill, is the Water Tower which was built in 1889.

It was built to support the city’s first high-pressure water supply tank. It was designed by consulting engineer William Sharp, and built by Matthew and Hugh Mair.

Water towers are located on high ground to provide enough pressure to send water into a municipal water supply with enough force to supply all the customers in the  immediate vicinity.

It comprises 300,000 bricks and is 42.6 metres high landmark . New Zealand suffered many great fires.

In the late 1880s the Invercargill Borough Council decided to build a water tower on part of the green belt.

Ratepayers wanted the tower but not an eye-sore on the town belt, architect-engineer William Sharp suggested blunting criticism by disguising the 300,000-litre steel tank with an elaborate brick tower.

Earthquakes don't kill but buildings do.

The building has been declared a 'earthquake-prone' hazard which constitutes a major risk to public safety and infrastructure. It includes a threat to the continuous operation of the city's main pump station.

Both the Water Tower and the control building are category one historic buildings, and at the moment have a rating of 25 percent of the national building standard.

The council basically don't want to pay to fix it because it will cost ($) millions to strengthen it.

It is ready to fall down in the next big magnitude earthquake.

In the last 12 million years the Southern Alps have been uplifted by an amazing 20 kilometres! The Alpine Fault has ruptured four times in the past 900 years."

W R Edwards

What People Like

Beautiful architecture
Iconic landmark
Great photo opportunities

What People Dislike

Cannot go inside
Smaller than expected

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Invercargill Water Tower is centrally located in Invercargill. It's easily accessible by car, with free parking available directly opposite the tower. Public transport options might be limited, so driving or a taxi is recommended. Reddit

Yes, due to its height and unique structure, the Invercargill Water Tower is a prominent landmark and easy to spot within the city. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, visiting the Invercargill Water Tower is free. It's an outdoor landmark that you can view and photograph from the outside. Instagram

Unfortunately, you cannot go inside the Invercargill Water Tower. It is managed by water works and is not open to the public for entry. Reddit

As an external landmark, the Invercargill Water Tower can be viewed at any time. However, for the best experience and photography, daylight hours are recommended. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

Daylight hours offer the best light for photographing the Invercargill Water Tower. Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) can provide beautiful warm light on the red bricks. Instagram+1

The area directly opposite the tower provides excellent vantage points for capturing its full height and architectural details. Reddit

You can capture classic shots of the tower itself, details of the brickwork, and even incorporate it into wider city shots given Invercargill's flat terrain. Instagram

🎫 🏛️ History & Architecture

The Invercargill Water Tower was constructed in 1889, making it a significant historical landmark. Reddit

It was built to disguise a steel water tank and provide the city with its first high-pressure water supply. Reddit

The tower stands at an impressive 31.5 meters (approximately 42.6 meters including the tank) high and is constructed from around 300,000 bricks. Reddit

Yes, both the Water Tower and its control building are Category 1 historic buildings, recognized for their architectural and historical significance. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The Invercargill Water Tower is a quick and easy stop for families. While you can't go inside, kids will likely be fascinated by its sheer size and unique red-brick appearance. It's a great spot for a family photo op with a historical backdrop. The free parking opposite makes it convenient for a short visit without much hassle. Instagram

📸 Photographers & Art Enthusiasts

For photographers, the Invercargill Water Tower offers a striking subject, especially against a clear sky. Its distinct red-brick structure and historical significance make it a popular choice for capturing unique shots of Invercargill. Local artists have even been inspired to create paintings and commissions based on the tower, highlighting its artistic appeal. Instagram+1

🏛️ History Buffs

History enthusiasts will appreciate the Invercargill Water Tower as a Category 1 historic building. Learning about its construction in 1889, its role in providing the city's first high-pressure water supply, and the architectural ingenuity behind disguising the water tank offers a fascinating glimpse into Invercargill's past. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Landmark of Invercargill

The Invercargill Water Tower is more than just a structure; it's a symbol of the city's history and ingenuity. Constructed in 1889, its primary purpose was to house and disguise a steel water tank, providing Invercargill with its first high-pressure water supply. This was a crucial development for the growing town, ensuring adequate water for residents and fire prevention. The tower's design, by consulting engineer William Sharp, was a clever solution to public concerns about the aesthetics of industrial infrastructure. Reddit

The tower's distinctive red-brick facade, comprising approximately 300,000 bricks, stands at 31.5 meters high. It's a striking visual element in Invercargill's otherwise flat landscape, making it a prominent landmark visible from various points in the city. Its architectural style reflects the era, offering a glimpse into the past and the engineering capabilities of the late 19th century. Reddit

While the tower is no longer accessible to the public, its historical and architectural importance is recognized. It has been declared a Category 1 historic building, highlighting its value to New Zealand's heritage. Despite some concerns about its seismic rating, the tower remains a beloved and iconic feature of Invercargill, inspiring local artists and drawing the attention of visitors. InstagramReddit+1

The Tower's Architectural Ingenuity

The Invercargill Water Tower is a prime example of functional architecture designed with aesthetic considerations. In the late 1880s, the Invercargill Borough Council faced the challenge of implementing a modern water supply system while appeasing ratepayers who were wary of unsightly industrial structures. The solution, proposed by architect-engineer William Sharp, was to encase the functional steel tank within an elaborate and visually appealing brick tower. Reddit

This approach not only served the practical need for water pressure but also created a landmark that blended into the urban environment. The 300,000 bricks used in its construction were meticulously laid to form a robust and attractive exterior. The tower's height was essential for generating sufficient water pressure to serve the entire municipality, a common principle in water tower design. Reddit

Today, the tower stands as a testament to the thoughtful urban planning of its time. Its enduring presence and unique design continue to captivate visitors and locals alike, serving as a picturesque backdrop for photographs and a reminder of Invercargill's historical development. Instagram+1

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