Toilet tourism made headlines this week with the release of Lonely Planet’s ‘Toilets – A Spotter’s Guide’. A few New Zealand toilets made it into the book including four in our 13 Unusual Toilets in the North Island. Today we’re lifting the lid on some of the South Island’s more unusual loos, starting in Southland.

Invercargill
I didn’t expect to find unusually lovely ladies rooms in a truck museum, but that’s what I found at Bill Richardson Transport World in Invercargill.

Women’s toilets at Bill Richardson Transport World

Petrolheads will appreciate the men’s room – part of a fuel pump opens the door, Shell oil pumps dispense water, and a one way mirror into a showroom full of vehicles makes it a loo with a view. (More about the view – Bill Richardson Transport World).

Men’s room at Bill Richardson Transport World

Papatowhai – The Catlins
It’s all about the sound in the thunder box at Lost Gypsy Gallery – blame it on the gnome.

Blame it on the gnome at Lost Gypsy Gallery in Papatowhai

Dunedin
They get down to business in the toilets at Discovery Centre in Otago Museum and tell you what happens when you flush and where it all ends up. There’s also some toilet humour kids are sure to appreciate – they can ‘Push A Poo’, a plastic poo that is.

‘Push a Poo’ at Otago Museum

Kids can see how strong they are compared to a dung beetle that can push 1,141 times its body weight, the equivalent of a person moving 6 double decker buses with passengers onboard!

Queenstown
Guys can’t be camera shy in the men’s room at Jervois Steak House.

Don’t be camera shy – Jervois Steak House, Queenstown

It’s been a couple of years since we camped at Creeksyde Holiday Park but they have some of the most unusual, and relaxing bathrooms in Queenstown.

Relaxing bathroom at Creeksyde Holiday Park

Beer themed bathroom at Creeksyde Holiday Park

Wanaka
They used to ‘go’ together in ancient Rome, this communal Roman latrine mural is near the restrooms at Puzzling World. You can take a seat and become part of the scene – with your pants on!

Mural of a communal Roman latrine, at Puzzling World in Wanaka

Lyttelton
Wunderbar in Lyttelton surely has the most elusive loos in New Zealand. It took me a while to find them, I give women a clue in the post Curious or Creepy? Wunderbar in Lyttelton.

Dolls head light shades at Wunderbar in Lyttelton

Christchurch
The people of Christchurch have had to put up with a lot over the last few years, for some that has included building and using long drops in the backyard. A website was created to display imaginative Long Drops, and to provide some humour during tough times.

Winner of the Designer Dunny Award – Crapa Snapa

The Christchurch earthquakes were the impetus for a business selling another type of mobile bathroom, one with a name that sums it up well – KrappaTowa. The KrappaTowa was initially used by designer Matt Sandrey and his wife while camping at remote sites.

KrappaTowa mobile bathroom

During the earthquakes the KrappaTowa came in handy and was used by friends and neighbours who encouraged Matt to turn it into a business. LowaToa for wheelchair users has since been developed.

Dux Central opened in Christchurch in September 2015, along with a new Dux venue came new look toilets, including interactive urinals for men. Women don’t get to play games in the loo but along with the men they get explicit images on the toilet doors.

Dux Central, Christchurch

Tasman/Nelson
The sign says it all at Jester House Cafe in Tasman, Nelson – In Compost We Trust.

In Compost We Trust – Jester House Cafe, Tasman, Nelson

That’s the low down on some of the unusual toilets we’ve found in New Zealand. The inspiration for these posts came from being disappointed at the state of a few toilets, pet hate – no hot water. We’ve found that the love shown to a venue can often stop at the toilet door, but instead of focussing on the awful, I chose to focus on the unusual.

We all have to ‘go’ so thanks to those who make it a pleasant experience, if you’re a business owner your toilet may even effect your bottom line because if you have a loathsome loo you may find your customers choose to go elsewhere.