Shoe Fence – Free Footwear!
If you’re ever driving south of Dunedin towards Invercargill on the south island of New Zealand, you might come across this strange tourist attraction – the Shoe Fence.
At first, I thought this was the fence where Imelda Marcos (wife of former Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos, see more here) sent her extensive shoe collection once she had worn them only once.
Shoe Fence with a Zap!
But you have to be careful – note that there is an electric fence wire running just above the Shoe Fence (see above photo). So if you’re trying to place a worn out pair of Dunlop Volleys on there, you might receive a large-ish zap.
But apparently, bizarre fence collections like this are not uncommon in New Zealand.
There is a bra fence at a town called Middlemarch, and who knows what else. Feel free to add your 2 bob worth!
Shoe Fence Bargains!
So if you’re after a shoe bargain, this is the fence to visit. Here is a panoramic shot of what I call, ‘THE IMELDA FENCE’.
Somehow, I don’t think they followed instructions from The Fence Bible: How to plan, install, and build fences and gates to meet every home style and property need, no matter what size your yard.!
Imelda wouldn’t be caught dead in flat shoes
[Reply]
anthony Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at 10:06 am
You’re right! I might need to find the ‘high heel’ fence for her shoe cast-offs! Cheers!
[Reply]
if you are ever in the texas hill country on the drive from kerrville south out of hunt texas you will come across a fence that is adorned with , yes of course, cowboy boots. turned heel side up on each of the fence post streching a good mile around the curve. it is ahard place to shoot and get the whole picture but it is a colorful site. loclas say it started from a trail ride a few years ago and the folks all left their boots to declare the end of the trail. cactus billd from the great state of texas.. and thanx for sharing the go fasties on the fence too cool!! now where do i find the bra fence again???? ; )
[Reply]
If I was a tourist visiting Waihola, I wouldn’t wanna go near those shoes… Come’on now, how smelly can they be?
[Reply]
anthony Reply:
June 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Sorry, I didn’t conduct a smell test when I visited!
[Reply]
This would be a very strange thing to see while travelling the country. I wonder if any backpackers have actually tried to steal some shoes in the past, would be amusing to tell someone you got your shoes of a fence in the middle of New Zealand!
I was also wondering if as a visitor you could add to the collection by donating an old pair of trainers. Then you could return a few years later to see if they are still there!
Any pictures of the Bra fence? Would like to see that.
[Reply]
I really like your ideas about posting comments. i am a new for blog posting and i just like your thoughtful post. i know i am not like that what you want in posting but i,ll try to be like that but honestly, i really like your thought
[Reply]
I’ve heard about it but never seen it. It certainly looks cool I must say haha. Thanks for the information. Cheers
[Reply]
Well, if I am ever in need of a mis-matching pair of shoes in New Zealand, I know where to go. In my opinion it’s unsightly, but heh.
[Reply]
yeap, it like chewing gum wall in Seattle
as somebody already mentioned, donn’t put us on smell test on that fence…
[Reply]
Love the post. Hope hiking shoes should guide someone there.
[Reply]
This is definitely strange. I wonder if the place is smelly from all those shoes.
[Reply]
TravelGal Reply:
January 5th, 2011 at 8:27 am
I was visiting NZ in 2000 and while driving to Mt. Cook my friend said, “we are going to stop and look at the shoes.” I thought he needed new walking shoes. Nope we stopped and looked at a fence lined with shoes. I don’t recall that it smelled at all. I have a great picture of me standing near it.
[Reply]