- Unknown visitor from Scotland realised that tourist attraction in Bluff was wrong
- Local council investigated and found both direction and distances were amiss
- Mayor of Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt, has promised it will be amended in due time
It attracts 87,000 people each year – but they’ve all been deceived.
It’s been revealed that a popular signpost in New Zealand that points to various places around the world is in fact wrong, in several ways.
A savvy unnamed tourist from Scotland made a trip to the signpost, in Stirling Point in Bluff, one of the country’s most southerly points, but was rendered flummoxed by the attraction.
Oops! The offending signpost in New Zealand’s Bluff has been identified as inaccurate
He specifically noted that the markers for Cape Reinga and Wellington were facing opposite ways – despite both being north – while distances in kilometers also seemed wayward.
Officials looked into the inconsistencies and, after drafting-in an expert to investigate, confirmed that both the distances and directions were incorrect for Cape Reinga and Wellington.
It’s thought that the distances to New York, Hobart, Sydney and Oban are also incorrect.
Mayor of nearby Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt, assured people that the post will be changed – although he couldn’t confirm when, or by whom.
‘I’ve had a few comments from tourists who’ve worked it out and I’ve passed their comments on to the relevant authorities, but nothing seems to get done,’ he told Newstalk ZB radio.
The signpost attracts around 87,000 visitors a year because it’s at one of New Zealand’s most southerly points
‘It’s our biggest tourist attraction so I don’t think they like messing with it.
‘The distances were out by a few hundred miles, but it can’t lead tourists astray too much because at the end of the day it’s on a dead-end road.’
He cheekily added that ‘the Ministry for Signposts’ would be updating the sign with accurate information.
‘I think I might’ve had a complaint or two if people had actually followed the sign all the way to Cape Reinga,’ he added.