Dig This Invercargill
Operate real excavators and bulldozers! Experience the thrill of heavy machinery with expert guidance. A unique adventure.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more focus
Dig This Invercargill
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more focus
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Operate real excavators and bulldozers! Experience the thrill of heavy machinery with expert guidance. A unique adventure.
"One of the most exciting things I have done in years, smashing fun!"
🎯 Book Ahead!
Secure your spot for the Big Dig or Aggression Session. Slots fill up fast!
🚜 Digger vs. Dozer
Excavators are fun, but bulldozers offer a unique, constant challenge. Try both if you can!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Big Dig
Excavator Zone
Master an excavator, dig trenches, and move massive amounts of dirt. An unforgettable hands-on experience.
Bulldozer Challenge
Bulldozer Zone
Tackle the bulldozer, a machine that demands constant attention and skill to maneuver.
Aggression Session
Car Crushing Area
Unleash your inner child by crushing a car with heavy machinery. Pure, exhilarating fun.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Your Big Toy Time
Choose Your Machine Adventure
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Ahead!
Secure your spot for the Big Dig or Aggression Session. Slots fill up fast!
🚜 Digger vs. Dozer
Excavators are fun, but bulldozers offer a unique, constant challenge. Try both if you can!
👨🏫 Awesome Instructors
Instructors like Matt and Lex are praised for being patient, funny, and making the experience memorable. +1
🚗 Crushing Cars is a Thrill
The Aggression Session is a highlight for many, offering a unique chance to smash a car.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Ahead!
Secure your spot for the Big Dig or Aggression Session. Slots fill up fast!
🚜 Digger vs. Dozer
Excavators are fun, but bulldozers offer a unique, constant challenge. Try both if you can!
👨🏫 Awesome Instructors
Instructors like Matt and Lex are praised for being patient, funny, and making the experience memorable. +1
🚗 Crushing Cars is a Thrill
The Aggression Session is a highlight for many, offering a unique chance to smash a car.
📸 Capture the Moment
While you can't operate your phone, your instructor can help capture epic photos and videos of you in action.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently describe Dig This Invercargill as an incredibly exciting and unique experience, with many calling it a 'must-do' activity. The opportunity to operate heavy machinery like excavators and bulldozers under expert guidance is a major highlight, with instructors frequently praised for their skill and humor. While it can be a bit pricey, most feel the unforgettable fun and thrill are well worth the cost.
"I did the Big Dig and the Aggression Session, its one of the most exciting things I have done in years. I enjoyed the Big Dig the most, you get to do a number of different things and learn the controls. Highly recommend it, I had so much fun, and the instructor was great."
Deb Mar
"Very helpful instructors. This is must do activity in Invercargill, New Zealand. It may cost you a bit but you will remember it forever. 1 hour of exciting digging, driving your choice of equipment. Smashing fun. Must do."
Malay N
"This place is a must do if you love playing with toys. There's nowhere else you can play with a full size excavator or bulldozer under expert tuition with zero experience. This place is cool. I did the bulldozer which was awesome. Apparently only 1 in 10 do the bulldozer over the digger but the dozer takes constant thought and you can't pause unlike a digger! Just do it!!"
Mark Burney
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Dig This Invercargill is located within the Transport World complex. It's easily accessible by car, with ample parking available. If you're staying in Invercargill, it's a short drive from the city center.
Yes, Dig This Invercargill is an attraction within the larger Transport World complex, which also houses a collection of vintage trucks and machinery.
If you are in the immediate vicinity of Transport World, walking is possible. However, it's generally recommended to drive or take a short taxi ride to reach the complex.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While specific prices aren't listed here, visitors mention it can 'cost you a bit' but is worth the unforgettable experience. It's best to check their official website for the most up-to-date pricing for sessions like the Big Dig and Aggression Session.
Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended to secure your preferred time slot and machine, especially for popular sessions.
Opening hours can vary, and it's advisable to check the official Dig This Invercargill website or contact them directly for the most current operating times.
Yes, visitors can choose between sessions like the 'Big Dig' (excavator) and the 'Aggression Session' (car crushing), with some opting for the bulldozer challenge. +1
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
It's an incredibly exciting and unique experience where you get to operate real, full-sized excavators or bulldozers under expert tuition, even with zero prior experience. +1
No, absolutely no prior experience is needed! The instructors are there to teach you everything you need to know to operate the heavy machinery safely and effectively. +1
You can choose to operate a full-size excavator or a bulldozer. Some visitors prefer the bulldozer for its continuous challenge.
You won't be able to operate your phone while driving, but your instructor can help capture photos and videos of your experience.
Sessions typically last around an hour, providing ample time to learn the controls and enjoy operating the heavy machinery.
📸 📸 Photography
The most iconic photo opportunities involve you operating the heavy machinery – whether digging, pushing dirt, or even crushing a car! Your instructor can help capture these moments.
While you can't operate your phone or camera while in the driver's seat, you can bring them to capture shots before and after your session, or ask your instructor to take photos for you.
The entire complex of Transport World offers interesting backdrops with vintage machinery, but the main focus for photos will be you and the heavy equipment in action.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider booking a session where one adult operates while another supervises from a safe vantage point, allowing everyone to experience the thrill. The instructors are great at making the experience fun and engaging for everyone involved, and they can help capture fantastic family photos of the action.
adrenaline Junkies
Reviewers consistently describe the experience as 'one of the most exciting things I have done in years' and 'smashing fun.' The challenge of mastering these powerful machines, combined with the unique opportunity to perform tasks like crushing a car, makes Dig This a top destination for thrill-seekers.
Unique Experience Seekers
Visitors rave about the uniqueness of the experience, with many stating there's nowhere else quite like it. The hands-on nature, combined with the impressive scale of the equipment and the supportive instructors, creates a memorable adventure that stands out from typical sightseeing.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Operating the Heavy Machinery
Whether you choose the excavator for its versatility in digging and lifting, or the bulldozer for its unique challenge of constant control and precision, the instructors ensure a safe and enjoyable session. Many reviewers highlight the sheer fun and excitement of operating such powerful machines, describing it as one of the most thrilling activities they've ever done.
Beyond the basic operation, some sessions, like the 'Aggression Session,' offer the chance to engage in more destructive fun, such as crushing a car. This adds an extra layer of exhilaration to an already unique experience. The instructors are not only skilled operators but also great at making the experience memorable through their humor and patience.
Choosing Your Machine: Digger vs. Dozer
However, many visitors recommend trying the bulldozer for a different kind of challenge. Unlike the excavator, which can sometimes be paused, the bulldozer requires constant attention and precise control to maneuver effectively. This continuous engagement makes it a more mentally demanding but equally rewarding experience for those seeking a unique test of skill.
Ultimately, the 'best' machine depends on your personal preference. If you're looking for a classic heavy machinery experience with a variety of actions, the excavator is a fantastic option. If you crave a more sustained and intricate challenge, the bulldozer might be your perfect match. Both offer an unforgettable adventure with expert guidance.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit