Thurs, 12th Mar, 2026 (part2) Recreation Reserve free camp, Waikawa to Thornbury-Aparima Bridge West, Thornbury, NZ (Burt Munro & the World’s Fastest Indian)

Turned off to find a cheaper diesel place to top up. NPD is the cheapest but up to 207.6c/l now.

Into Invercargill, interesting sculpture ‘thing’ outside a hotel.

Along the wide main street, 1901 building.

Found a park around the block from Burt Munro’s Museum. It is housed within Hayes Hardware/homeware store. The owner and his sons were a bike racers too so Burt sold them his stuff so it could be on show for all to see for free (1977) and they have added all there things to the displays too. Wonderful concept as I am sure most people leave with a few extra things off the store shelves as well. Steve bought a stubby cooler.

Wandered through the huge store checking out all the displays. Amazing.

Timeline of the Hayes family.

The sections regarding Burt Munro.

Continued wandering.

Watched a video of this homemade engine working.

Found the main attraction - Burt’s record breaking bike.

Burt's 'other bike'. 

You can climb in the movie replica but Burt had narrower hips than mine! Another chap managed to get in.

More Burt items. 

Continued wandering - so much to see and all with great information boards.

The motor wheel - so motorised bikes were created way back in early 1900s.

Certainly is a store with it all. Well worth the visit.

Sent Malcolm some photos too so he knows to check it out if they are down this way on their tour.