Bluff Ferries

Bluff boasts 2 ferry routes operated by 1 top-tier ferry companies. Get ready for a convenient sailing experience from Bluff, with schedules perfectly tailored to the seasons, ensuring you always find your ideal departure.

Bluff offers connections to popular routes like Oban (Stewart Island) - Bluff. You can customise your trip by choosing between a swift high-speed ferry to get there in a flash or a classic vessel for a more scenic, relaxing journey. From quick local hops to leisurely overnight voyages, your adventure starts here.

Getting to your destination is a breeze with several excellent ferry operators departing regularly from Bluff. You'll find companies like Stewart Island Experience ready to whisk you away.

Each offers a variety of onboard amenities to make your journey pleasant, from comfortable seating and delicious food and drink options to private cabins and even vehicle transport.

With a range of ticket options available depending on the company and vessel, there's something to suit everyone, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or on a business trip.

Whether you're dreaming of an escape, making your way back to the comfort of home, or embarking on a brand-new journey, your perfect voyage begins right here with Bluff.

Bluff is easily accessible via State Highway 1, lying just 30 kilometers south of Invercargill, New Zealand's southernmost city. Regular bus services connect Bluff to Invercargill, with the journey taking approximately 25 minutes. From Queenstown, allow about 2.5 hours by car, while Dunedin is roughly a 3-hour drive away. The ferry terminal in Bluff is well-signposted and offers ample parking facilities for those arriving by car. For travelers coming from further afield, Invercargill Airport provides domestic connections, with shuttle services available to transport you to the Bluff ferry terminal.

Perched at the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island, Bluff stands as one of the world's southernmost settlements and a vital maritime hub. This historic port town, established in 1824, offers visitors rugged coastal landscapes, fresh seafood, and authentic local character rarely found elsewhere. As your ferry arrival point, Bluff serves as both destination and gateway to the natural wonders of Southland and beyond.

Bluff experiences a temperate maritime climate, with summer temperatures averaging 14-19°C (December to February) and winter dropping to 5-10°C (June to August). The most pleasant time to visit is between November and April when days are longer and weather conditions more favorable for ferry crossings and outdoor exploration. May brings the famous Bluff Oyster and Food Festival, a must-attend event for seafood lovers. Ferry services to Stewart Island operate year-round but run more frequently during summer months. Autumn (March-April) offers a sweet spot of mild weather, fewer tourists, and the bonus of the oyster season in full swing.

Stewart Island/Rakiura is the premier destination from Bluff, with regular ferry services crossing Foveaux Strait in just one hour, offering a chance to experience New Zealand's third largest island and its pristine wilderness. The Catlins coastal area is accessible via a scenic coastal route east of Bluff, perfect for a day trip to see stunning waterfalls and rare wildlife. Fiordland National Park, though requiring additional land travel, makes an excellent extended journey from Bluff, showcasing some of New Zealand's most dramatic landscapes. For those interested in island-hopping, consider taking the ferry to Stewart Island and then arranging boat tours to smaller surrounding islands like Ulva Island, a predator-free bird sanctuary.

Climb to the top of Bluff Hill (Motupōhue) for panoramic views of Foveaux Strait and the surrounding coastline – on clear days, you might even spot Stewart Island. Sample world-famous Bluff oysters at local seafood restaurants, particularly between March and August when these delicacies are in season. Visit the Bluff Maritime Museum to delve into the region's rich seafaring history through fascinating exhibits and artifacts. Explore the Stirling Point walkway where you'll find the iconic signpost marking distances to major world cities and the beginning of State Highway 1. The nearby Te Rau Aroha Marae showcases stunning Māori architecture and cultural significance in the southernmost tribal area of New Zealand.

Bluff claims to be the oldest European settlement in New Zealand, established in 1824 when Captain James Spencer built the first permanent residence. The town sits beside one of the strongest and most dangerous tidal currents in New Zealand – Foveaux Strait – which has claimed numerous vessels over the centuries. Bluff oysters are so prized that the annual harvest is strictly controlled, with the season running from March 1st to August 31st, creating a national food celebration. The famous Bluff signpost at Stirling Point isn't actually at the southernmost point of the South Island – that honor belongs to Slope Point, located further east in the Catlins region.