# Bluff

Bluff is a small port town and the southernmost town on the South Island of New Zealand. It is 30 km south of the city of Invercargill.

## Understand

* Bluff visitor information

## Get in
### By car

It's a 20- to 30-minute drive from Invercargill.

### By boat

* -46.5984168.3461 Stewart Island Experience. This is a scheduled passenger ferry service from Stewart Island, with 2-4 departures per day depending on the season. They run buses from Invercargill to connect with their ferries (see below). $125 per adult each way (half-price for children). (updated Jan 2025)

### By bus

The Stewart Island Ferry coach transfer shuttle from Invercargill, which can be reserved through the online ferry booking system. By reservation only, $35 per person each way (half price for children). Runs two to three times per day, in sync with the ferry departures. You can book it separately from the ferry, so you could use it even if you aren't getting on the boat, but be careful when you return from Bluff to Invercargill, since the driver assumes that passengers come from ferries and may depart before the time reserved if the ferry arrives early.
Provides pre-arranged pickup from the Invercargill airport and most accommodations in Invercargill. Try to either provide a New Zealand phone number or else show up 15 minutes early at the pickup site: the driver needs to pick people up at several different places, and expects to be able to get in touch with you either by phone or through the desk of your hotel.
An alternative option is Catch-a-Bus South, whose fares are cheaper ($30), except that the earliest (6:15AM) and the last (6:30PM) one are more expensive ($50).

## Get around

Bluff is a small place. Find a place to park along the main street or at the viewpoint at the south end of town and walk.

## See

* -46.61505168.338771 Bluff Hill Lookout. Good views can be had from lookoout hill, a short drive or hike up from the main street in town. On a clear day, you can see Stewart Island as well as a couple of other minor islands off the south coast. (updated Jun 2021)
* -46.5961168.33172 Bluff Maritime Museum, 241 Foreshore Road, ☏ +64 3212 7534. M-F 10AM–4:30PM, (summer only: Sa Su 1–5PM). Museum about whaling and oyster fishing, featuring the oyster boat Monica which was in use from 1909-1998. Adult $5, child $1. (updated Jan 2025)
* -46.6133168.35753 Stirling Point. The start (or finish) of SH1 and the Te Araroa walk to Cape Reinga. There is a much photographed sign post and an anchor-chain sculpture (see the other end on Stewart Island). (updated Jun 2021)
* -46.67538169.001824 Slope Point. The southernmost tip of the South Island is about 1 hour drive from Bluff. (updated Jan 2025)

## Do

Hike the coastal walkway.
* Foveaux Walk. 6.6km coastal walkway from the Stirling Point to Ocean Beach, about 2.5 hours. (updated Jan 2025)
* -46.622246168.3491471 Glory Track. If Foveaux Walk feels too long, then you can take its track for about 1km then go back through the Glory Track. About 2.5 km in total. (updated Jan 2025)

## Buy

* -46.5996168.34521 Four Square, 54 Gore Street (across the street from the Stewart Island ferry terminal parking lot). M-F 7AM–7PM, Sa 8AM–7PM, Su 9AM–7PM. Small supermarket (if you are going to Stewart Island, the Four Square on the island a little bit smaller). (updated Nov 2022)

## Eat

Bluff's famous oysters - if you visit at the right time of year (March - August)!
* -46.60039168.346651 The Lighthouse Art Gallery and Cafe, 30 Gore Street. Cafe and commercial art gallery. (updated Jun 2021)
* Oyster Cove, 8 Ward Parade (next Stirling Point). M-Th 11AM-3PM, F-Su 11AM-7PM, last orders 30 min before close. Menu is mainly seafood, vegetarians may be disappointed. Mains from $20. (updated Oct 2024)

## Sleep

* -46.60404168.350721 Bluff Camping Ground, 21 Gregory Street. 14 hard sites and 3 grass ones. (updated Jun 2021)
* Lands End Boutique Hotel (Land’s End NZ), End Of State Highway 1, 10 Ward Parade, Stirling Point (next Stirling Point), ☏ +64 3-212 7575. 6-room hotel at the end of the road (SH1), offering a cooked breakfast. The Oyster Cove Restaurant is next door. (updated Jan 2025)

## Go next

* Stewart Island, most of which is a conservation area, is accessible by ferry. The trip takes an hour and can be very rough if the wind is strong, which it often is. There are many hikes on the island and the chance to see kiwis (the bird, that is) because they can be seen during daylight hours here.