If you are still seeking a place to stay in Invercargill during the Burt Munro Challenge, you are going to have to look hard.
The motorcycling event is a mainstay on Invercargill's calendar, and its popularity is apparently ever increasing, as accommodation bookings are up on last year.
Venture Southland events co-ordinator Claire Blau said the Invercargill i-SITE Visitor Information Centre advised accommodation was sold out in late October last year.
This year's event will take place from February 6th to 10th.
''People who attend each year now know to book in their accommodation early to avoid disappointment.''
However, some accommodation options were still available across wider Southland, Ms Blau said, including at towns such as Winton and Gore.
Camping on the Burt Munro Rally site at Oreti Park was another option, which enthusiasts could pay for on the day.
''Last year saw record crowds camped out at the rally site - over 2000 people - and we expect there to be a greater number of punters this year.''
Top 10 Holiday Park Invercargill owner Philip Todd said its accommodation for the week of the event had been fully booked since September last year.
''We have a waiting list for the rooms and cabins, but we still have some spaces for camper van and tents.''
The site Booking.com showed on Monday that 96% of the accommodation in Invercargill had been snapped up and there were only two options left, both of which cost more than $200 a night.
The Airbnb website also indicated a high demand for the week of the Burt Munro Challenge.
In 2018, only 23% of Invercargill homes were available, but this year the website displays just 10 places vacant.
''It's an event that creates a huge excitement for locals and draws a crowd from all over the country to Invercargill. You can see why the Burt Munro Challenge is the largest motorcycle rally in the southern hemisphere.''
