Discover Bluff

Bluff Motupōhue lies thirty kilometres south of Invercargill Waihōpai. Bluff was founded in 1824 by European settler James Spencer and is the southernmost settlement on mainland Aotearoa as well as the southernmost commercial deep-water port. Filled with panoramic views, the town is at the base of Bluff Hill. It is the gateway to Rakiura Stewart Island via a twice-daily ferry service. 

The area is soaked in a history of trading, fishing, sealing, whaling, and shipping. In the pre-colonial days, Bluff was where southern Māori visited and worked stone. When European sealers began to visit southern parts of the country, Māori started to arrange themselves in small settlements along the sides of Foveaux Strait. 
The Bluff Maritime Museum will be able to take you through some of Bluff’s storied maritime history. It delves into the history of Bluff, as the area is known as one of the first European settlements in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The museum contains a wide variety of maritime displays, artefacts, miniature models, boats, and photographs. Exhibits include oystering, whaling, shipwrecks, and so much more. Basically, anything maritime-related! 

You won’t be surprised to know that the seaside town is home to the iconic Bluff Oyster and Food Festival. Bluff oysters have an aura like no other seafood, as any Southlander! The festival happens yearly and is a homage to that unique Southland flavour. Thousands of people flock to Bluff in May donning their winter woollies. 
The first thing visitors tend to do is to take pictures at Stirling Point when they enter Bluff. Stirling Point is a world-famous site which is located at the beginning (or end, up to you to choose!) of New Zealand’s State Highway 1. The highway traverses the whole length of the country, all the way up to Cape Reinga in the far north. The famous signpost depicts distances to major cities around the globe. Hikers attempting the Te Araroa Trail finish at Stirling Point.  

Want to do a chill hike? The Foveaux Walkway would be a good one as it only takes about an hour and follows the coast, providing peaceful ocean views. The walk is at an easy grade as its surface is well-compacted. It’s suitable for all ages, and if you are walking it during winter, you may catch a glimpse of Southern Right Whales and New Zealand Fur Seals. 

Take a walk through the Bluff Heritage Trail, and you will be blown away by the things you pass by. The trail consists of 17 fascinating historical sites around one of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s earliest settlements. The trail covers 20km, and as you travel through it many other attractions may catch your eye and should not be overlooked. Such as the Ocean Beach Church on Nichol Road, Bluff Hill’s viewing platform and more. The Bluff Heritage Trail is guaranteed to be a half-day well spent! 
Need an adrenaline rush? Why not go shark cage diving and see some Great Whites up close?! You will get the chance to look into the eyes of the great big sharks but in the safety of a dive cage. Can you imagine what a thrill that would be?

Bluff Activities

Motupōhue Bluff lies thirty kilometres south of Waihōpai Invercargill and is the southernmost settlement on mainland New Zealand. The most-photographed spot in Bluff, the signpost at Stirling Point, is a highlight for any visitor.