Dig This concept founder Ed Mumm attended the opening. Originally from Dunedin, Mr Mumm operates similar attractions in Las Vegas and Dallas, and has plans to open a further one in Los Angeles. Dig This Invercargill is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Mr Mumm was ``stoked'' about a Dig This opening in New Zealand, as he had wanted to bring the experience to his home country.
There had been some negative comments on social media about the cost of tickets to the attraction.
Prices range from $20 for 10 minutes on a mini dig to $396 for a two and half hour Mega Dig experience.
Transport World trustee Scott O'Donnell said compared with some Queenstown attractions, Dig This was "medium-priced''.
"Quality comes with a price.
"We are always going to do everything to the best of our ability. We want to service all customers well, but we are not going to have a low, low price and then offer an inferior product,'' Mr O'Donnell said.
Among the first to try out the new attraction were Natalie Gilson of the Homestead Villa Motel and Karley Henderson-Te Tai of Ascot Park Hotel, who were there to familiarise themselves with the attraction so they could on-sell it to their guests.
"I loved it. It was awesome. It was intimidating at the start, but it was easy, and the instructors were great,'' Ms Gilson said after their session.
"It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had ... just getting out there in the dirt and playing with the excavator,'' Ms Henderson-Te Tai said.
- Petrina Wright
