About Bluff
Bluff (Maori: Motupohue) sits at the tip of a peninsula on Southland's storm-swept coast, sheltered slightly by the 265-metre bulk of Bluff Hill. It is the southernmost town in mainland New Zealand and a working port famous nationwide for Bluff oysters - the prized Foveaux Strait catch celebrated each year at the town's oyster festival. Visitors come for the iconic Stirling Point signpost marking the end of State Highway 1, the hilltop views over the strait, and Bluff's role as the mainland jumping-off point for Stewart Island/Rakiura. Nearby Invercargill, 30 minutes north, adds a flat garden city with a world-class vehicle museum.
Where ships dock
Overview
Bluff is New Zealand's southernmost mainland port - a weathered fishing and oystering town where ships tie up within sight of Foveaux Strait. The township itself is tiny, so the day is really about what lies just beyond it: the storied Stirling Point signpost, the sweeping lookout atop Bluff Hill, the drive to Invercargill, and the ferry across to wild Stewart Island. For cruise passengers it's the classic 'end of the road' call, marking the southern tip of State Highway 1.
Wharves & berths
BERTH port (South Port, Port of Bluff). Cruise ships berth on the port's commercial wharves on the town side of the harbour entrance channel.
Getting to the city
The town is very small, so the main experiences are day-trips: Stirling Point is ~1 km south of town (short taxi/shuttle or coastal walk); Invercargill is ~30 km / ~30 min by cruise shuttle, coach tour or taxi; and the Stewart Island / Rakiura ferry departs the visitor terminal at 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff (~1 hour crossing each way). Cruise lines commonly offer organised coach transfers to Invercargill.
Parking
Cruise-day facilities are arranged at the port; Bluff township (a few cafes, the oyster/fishing waterfront and museum) is nearby.
Amenities
Amenities are modest - most visitors head out on tours. The Stewart Island Experience visitor terminal is on Foreshore Road.
Cruise season
October to April. Bluff is a less-frequent, smaller call - often on expedition and repositioning itineraries, and a gateway for sub-Antarctic and Fiordland voyages.
Getting around & practical
Getting around
Stirling Point and the museum are close to the port; Bluff Hill is a short (steep) drive. Invercargill and the Stewart Island ferry need a shuttle, tour or taxi.
Practical info
Currency is the NZD; driving is on the left. Foveaux Strait crossings can be rough; the Stewart Island day-trip is time-tight against ship departure - best on an organised excursion. Southern weather is changeable and often windy.
Attractions
Top attractions
Points of interest
Family & kids
southport.co.nz; southlandnz.com/places-to-visit/bluff; stewartisland.co.nz; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluff,_New_Zealand