Do you need help finding the best things to do in Bluff, New Zealand? You’ve come to the right place! If you’re a traveler heading to the beautiful South Island of New Zealand, you should visit Bluff, NZ, the southernmost town of New Zealand.
In this travel guide, I’ll provide the most popular Bluff, New Zealand attractions, like taking a ferry to Stewart Island and going to Stirling Point, but I will also showcase some of its hidden gems and landmarks.
If you think I’ve left anything out on this Bluff, New Zealand bucket list, let me know in the comments section below!
Are you planning a last-minute trip to Bluff?
If you’re traveling to Bluff last minute, you want to ensure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time! Below are some of our top picks to help you plan.
- Lands End Boutique Hotel (affordable luxury at Stirling Point – my top pick)
- Bluff Lodge and Guest House (most affordable housing; backpackers welcome)
- Foveaux Hotel (best option in Gore Street; budget hotel)
Top Bluff, New Zealand recommendations
- Shark Experience (take a ferry from Bluff to near Edward Island to go shark diving with great white sharks)
- Oyster Cove (eat oysters overlooking the ocean just at 8 Ward Parade, Bluff)
- Bluff Maritime Museum (unique marine artifacts from New Zealand)
Looking for the best way to get around Bluff? Find a rental car in Queenstown to drive to Bluff (a 2 hour 36 minute drive and about 214 km).
Interesting Facts about Bluff, New Zealand
Bluff has a rich history with lots of things to do and is my favorite place to visit in New Zealand (interestingly, it’s not mentioned often in travel circles and, in my opinion, is highly underrated). Bluff, New Zealand, was initially known as Motu Māhia, which means “Māhia Island” in Te Reo Maori. The earliest known human settlement in the area dates back to the 14th century when the Maori tribes migrated to the region.
For centuries, the Maori communities thrived on the abundant supply of marine life off the coast. In addition, they quickly discovered that Bluff was the best place in New Zealand to find the oysters that the town is famous for today.
Good to know
Bluff is a crucial landing port for rock lobster, abalone, blue cod, and the iconic Bluff oyster.
The first European settlers arrived in the area in the early 1800s. The Europeans learned that Bluff was the best location for a commercial hub due to its natural harbor. Europeans used the port to export products to other parts of the world.
Bluff is known for its picturesque natural scenery, pristine environment, and reception of fishing culture. But aside from its marine-related ordinances, there are several other activities that you can indulge yourself in during your stay in town. I look forward to revealing some of the best things to do in Bluff, New Zealand.
How to get to Bluff, New Zealand
The first step to exploring Bluff is getting there. The most convenient way is via Invercargill, the nearest city to Bluff. Invercargill is about 20-minute drive from Bluff and is well-connected to other regions in New Zealand by air and road.
You can take a domestic flight from Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, or Dunedin to Invercargill, then hire a car or take a bus or taxi to Bluff. Alternatively, you can take a train ride from Dunedin or Christchurch to Invercargill, then use local transport to Bluff.
Recommendation: Rent a car in Queenstown and travel south towards Invercargill. There are many things to do in Queenstown, and the scenery traveling from Queenstown to Bluff is breathtaking! The car trip from Queenstown is 2 hours and 36 minutes, but it is worth it.
Finding Bluff, NZ
You can use this map to locate Bluff, New Zealand. If using your phone, use two fingers to zoom in or zoom out.
Accommodations
Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly hostel, a cozy bed and breakfast, or a luxurious hotel, Bluff has plenty of accommodation options to cater to your needs.
Try the Bluff Ocean Vista Motel, a family-owned motel with stunning sea views and modern amenities, or the Bluff Homestead, a charming Victorian-style B&B with beautiful gardens and warm hospitality. Other excellent options include Foveaux Hotel and Lands End Boutique Hotel.
Recommendation: If you want to splurge, stay at the Lands End Botique Hotel (+64 3 212 7575)
When I was in New Zealand, I shared with locals that I was traveling to Bluff and some people chuckled. They told me there was nothing to do and thought I’d be bored. They were wrong as there’s so much to do if you appreciate the outdoors and adventure!
Best times to visit Bluff
The best time to explore Bluff largely depends on what you want to do and see.
- December to February: Excellent time to fish, kayak and dive
- Autumn (March to May): Warmer weather, calmer seas
- Winter (June to August): Considered the off-season, the weather can be chilly, ideal for whale watching and seal spotting
What to do in Bluff
Bluff was one of my favorite towns we visited in New Zealand. The surroundings were beautiful, and there was endless fishing, spearfishing, and boating for someone who likes the water. Furthermore, on Stewart Island alone, you could stay weeks without getting bored, by hiking throughout the island.
1. Get that famous picture at Stirling Point
One of the most significant milestones is the construction of the Bluff Harbour Board, which took place in 1877.
The new harbor made it easier to export oysters, which led to a booming oyster industry and turned the town into a buzzing fishing village. Also, during its peak, Bluff was the best place in New Zealand to harvest oysters from the ocean.
One of Bluff’s iconic landmarks is the Point sign, a compass-like marker that shows all the major cities worldwide and the direction each one is in. The Stirling Point sign marks the end of Highway 1 on the South Island. Some people call it the Southernmost point of NZ, which isn’t really true since Stewart Island is further south.
It is a perfect spot to take a photo that proves you have reached the south you’ll point of New Zealand.
Some of my favorite spots to stop at Stirling Point include:
- Point sign (such an eclectic sign with various mileages to destinations around the world)
- Oyster Cove restaurant (my top eatery, sit by massive windows overlooking Foveaux Straight while eating famous Bluff oysters)
- Chain link sculpture (symbolizes the anchor chain of the demigod Māui, who, by tradition, anchored his canoe (the South Island) with Stewart Island)
2. Endulge at the Bluff Oyster Festival
As the town grew, so did its cultural and social scene. The early settlers laid the foundation for the town’s traditions and way of life, such as the Oyster Festival, which has been celebrated yearly since 1997, drawing oyster enthusiasts from New Zealand and beyond. The Bluff Oyster Festival takes place in May.
Bluff oysters are highly sought after for their milky, creamy texture and are considered by some to be the best in the world.
Another crucial aspect is the influence of the Chinese, who came to the town in the late 19th century to work in the goldfields. The Chinese community integrated seamlessly into the town’s culture, and their legacy lives on in its architecture and traditions.
Visitors can see several reminders of this heritage, including a restored Chinese Garden and a museum dedicated to the Chinese settlers in the region.
3. Take the ferry to Stewart Island
The Bluff ferry ride to Stewart Island is one of the visitors’ top experiences in Bluff, NZ. It is an hour-long journey that takes you through the town’s waters of Foveaux Strait. This stretch of water leads to the untouched nature of Stewart Island, New Zealand.
Foveaux Straight
It’s worth noting that the Foveaux Strait is one of the most treacherous stretches of water in the entire world. When our family traveled to Stewart Island from Bluff, the seas were rough but tolerable.
Along the way, you’ll witness sea birds, sea mammals, and, if lucky, some dolphins or whales. Furthermore, Stewart Island, NZ offers beautiful landscapes, nature treks, and fantastic wildlife.
Make sure to catch the ferry back from Stewart Island at the appropriate time. Once it leaves the dock the ferry won’t be back until the next day. Thankfully, there is lodging on Stewart Island if you get stuck.
More information: The Stewart Island Ferry Experience
- Departure Location: 21 Foreshore Road
- Departure times (daily): 9:30 am, 1:45 pm, 4:30 pm, 5:15 pm
- Costs: $55 NZD (child), $110 NZD (adult), one-way
- Website: Stewart Island Ferry Experience
4. Spend some time buffing up on your history at the Bluff Maritime Museum
Discover the rich and long history of New Zealand’s marine life by visiting the Bluff Maritime Museum. A not-for-profit attraction, the museum exhibits ships, boats, artifacts, and navigational instrument collections. They date back to the days of the first settlers.
5. Be adventurous and go great white cage diving off Stewart Island
Take the chance to learn about the voyages and experiences that have made Bluff the place it is now. The quaint museum offers loads of information about the town’s fishing community. Also, a restored oyster boat resides at the museum, and you can get very close for inspection and photographs.
If you are an adventure seeker, brace yourself to experience great white shark cage diving near Steward Island, New Zealand. This thrilling excursion is something you will never forget.
PPO TIP
Plan on spending a few extra days if you’re going for shark cage diving. If the weather’s terrible, you can go on a different day.
Specialized boat tours can take you to see great whites in their natural environment, safely behind a cage. The shark diving outfitter leaves the dock at 7 am and returns to port around 5 pm.
6. Go spear Fishing and Abalone Hunting
Get up close and personal with the marine life of Bluff, NZ by spearfishing or abalone hunting in the waters around the town. It’s an experience unlike any other, with the exhilaration of catching your next meal.
Whether you’re a veteran spear fisherman or trying it for the first time, there’s no doubt it is an activity that will stay with you long after you leave.
7. Find Bluff Hill
Take a hike to the top of Bluff Hill, and you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the town and its surroundings.
A winding track uphill leads to Flagstaff lookout or from the Stirling Point entry point—the short trek is there with the spectacular views of the Foveaux Strait and nearby Stewart Island, New Zealand.
8. See how many oyster you can eat at Cove Restaurant and Bar
To top it with a stunning gastronomical experience, drop by any local oyster shop in Bluff to try their in-demand delicacy, Bluff Oysters. These oysters are exceptional in flavor and uniquely grown within the coastal waters of Bluff.
9. Study the importance of Bluff as the gateway to Antartica
Bluff’s proximity to Antarctica has always been one of its most significant attractions, and the town has played a substantial role in many Antarctic expeditions.
Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen are among the many explorers who either passed through or set sail from the port of Bluff, making the town a hub for Antarctic tourism in New Zealand.
Visitors can study Antarctic exploration’s rich history and heritage at several museums, including the Southland Museum and Art Gallery. The Southland Museum is closed to the public, but we’re hopeful it will re-open one day.
Bluff offers a remarkable blend of marine life, nature, and thrilling activities that cater to every mood. So, pack your sandals and a sense of adventure, and get ready to fall in love with Bluff’s warm and welcoming nature.
To me, Bluff was the most underrated place I’ve visited in New Zealand. There’s so much to do especially for those that appreciate the ocean and nature. As our family has, visit this fantastic destination and discover the best things to do in Bluff, New Zealand.
