Bill Richardson Transport World

Table of Contents

Introduction

Bill Richardson Transport World is a remarkable transport museum located at 491 Tay Street in Invercargill, New Zealand. Set in the southernmost city of the country, this venue offers visitors an immersive and heartwarming journey through the evolution of transport. Surrounded by the rich landscapes of Southland, the museum showcases the passion of Bill Richardson and his family for all things that move. With over 300 vintage vehicles and so much more, it provides a genuinely unique experience for both enthusiasts and families alike.

About the Museum

This museum occupies a sprawling fifteen thousand square‑metre facility filled with vehicles and transport memorabilia of extraordinary diversity. It is home to more than three hundred classic and vintage vehicles, including early Ford letter cars, Model Ts, Volkswagen Kombis, thirty‑era V‑eight automobiles, and numerous American and British trucks. A highlight is the rare 1940 Dodge Airflow Texaco tanker, affectionately known as “Tex,” thought to be one of only three restored examples in the world and the only working one.

Visitors can also explore themed exhibitions beyond vehicles. These include a Pork Pie Corner display with props and the actual Mini Cooper S used in the film Pork Pie, as well as a replica British Leyland Mini one thousand that appeared in the cult classic Goodbye Pork Pie. The wearable arts gallery showcases imaginative garments created from new and recycled materials, celebrating artistic creativity from the FibreOctave event in Invercargill. There is also a Mobil exhibition tracing the evolution of fuel branding from Standard Oil to the modern Mobil corporation, and a Ford exhibition focused on the Ford Motor Company and Henry Ford.

Children are well catered for with interactive zones such as the Construction Zone Lego Room, which offers Lego, tablets, dress‑ups, and playful learning. Other fun features include a mock jail scene with a replica 1925 Ford TT paddy wagon and themed bathrooms so creative they have become attractions in their own right.

Facilities include The Grille Café, a transport‑themed eatery offering freshly made meals and coffee, often with promotions like a free standard coffee when tickets are bought online. The site also has a small cinema modelled on Invercargill’s former Majestic Theatre, screening classic films such as The World’s Fastest Indian.

Bill Richardson’s own restoration workshop is preserved exactly as he left it, and visitors can often catch glimpses of restoration work in progress, carried out by a team of expert artisans, many trained and based in Invercargill.

Interesting Facts

The museum hosts more than three hundred vintage vehicles, making it the largest private automotive collection of its type in the world.
The signature vehicle, the 1940 Dodge Airflow Texaco tanker (“Tex”), is one of only three restored worldwide and the only one still in working condition.
One can see Ford letter cars that predate the famous Model T; the museum has almost the full sequence of letter models.
The wearable arts gallery features pieces created for FibreOctave by local artists, blending recycling and design.
Themed bathrooms are an attraction in their own right, each with a unique concept, and even suggested as a must‑see as soon as visitors arrive.
The Construction Zone Lego Room provides a free-play, interactive space with Lego, electronic tablets, dress-ups and games suitable for children of all ages.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: 0800 151 252

Website: transportworld.co.nz/

Facebook: facebook.com/transportworld

Conclusion

Bill Richardson Transport World is much more than a collection of vintage vehicles. It is a living celebration of transport history, personal passion, and creative expression, set within a world‑class museum facility. Whether you are drawn by the rare Dodge tanker, intrigued by retro trucks, fascinated by wearable art, or looking for a family‑friendly adventure, this museum offers something truly special. The immersive exhibits, interactive zones, themed cafe and cinema combine to make a day out here both educational and deeply enjoyable. You will leave with fond memories, a greater appreciation for transport’s role in our lives, and perhaps a renewed sense of wonder at the ingenuity behind these machines. A visit to Transport World is indeed a journey through history, creativity, and passion—all under one roof.