Bill Richardson Transport World

Bill Richardson ran a Southland transport business and collected trucks; by the time he died in 2005 he had gathered around three hundred vehicles, and his daughter Jocelyn O'Donnell opened the collection to the public in 2015 in a purpose-built 15,000-square-metre building. The Ford collection is the claim to fame - reportedly the largest privately held display of Ford trucks anywhere - but the range runs wider: American and British trucks, wreckers, a hall of restored petrol pumps and enamel signage, a Lettering and Sign Room, and a working restoration workshop visible from the floor. Even the toilets are themed, which visitors mention more than anything else. A sister site, Classic Motorcycle Mecca, holds around three hundred bikes in the city centre. Invercargill is a long way from anywhere and this is the main reason many people stop.

What you actually see

• The Ford collection - said to be the largest private display of its kind.
• The petrol memorabilia - restored pumps, signage and forecourt fittings.
• The restoration workshop - visible work in progress on the floor.
• The themed rooms - including the much-discussed toilets.

When to go

Any season; entirely indoors, which matters in Southland. Allow longer than expected - the building is large. Combined tickets with the motorcycle museum are better value.

Honest expectations

Large enough to take half a day if you are interested and forty minutes if you are not - this is a specialist collection. Priced as a full attraction. Invercargill is a long drive from the main tourist routes.

Nearby

Classic Motorcycle Mecca is in the city centre; Bluff is 30 kilometres south.