Bluff is located at the very south of the South Island and is the gateway to Stewart Island. Its busy and historic port still boasts the timber wharf that dates back to 1863.

Stirling Point, with it’s famous signpost and walking tracks, is the beginning of State Highway 1 which traverses the length of the country to Cape Reinga in the far north.

Being closest to Australia, Bluff was a very important early New Zealand port, with many thousands of immigrants from the UK and elsewhere making their first NZ landfall here. Today, its still an important port, with regular container and bulk freight services taking Southland’s produce to the world.

The Bluff Maritime Museum is a must visit for anyone travelling along the Southern Scenic Route. It offers fascinating historical information about the many early shipwrecks in challenging southern waters and on nearby coastlines.

There are panoramic views from the viewing platform on top of Bluff Hill. And a network of walking tracks is a nature lover’s delight. Abundant native birdlife and flora, much of which is rare except on island wildlife sanctuaries, can be seen from the tracks.