BluffOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Māori Settlement to European Port

Bluff, known to Māori as Motupōhue, has a long history of human activity. Before European arrival, the area served as a significant site for southern Māori, who visited and worked stone here. Ruapuke Island was a key location for cultural exchange and early contact with European sealers, whalers, and traders.

The first recorded European vessel to enter Bluff Harbour was the 'Perseverance' in 1813, seeking flax trading opportunities. James Spencer, a veteran of Waterloo, became Bluff's first permanent European resident, establishing a trading post in 1824 to supply visiting ships. This makes Bluff one of the earliest continuously occupied European settlements in New Zealand.

The Evolution of Campbelltown to Bluff

In 1836, Captain William Stirling established a whaling station near the point that now bears his name. The town was surveyed in 1856 by J.T. Thomson, who initially named its streets after Irish rivers. However, at the insistence of Superintendent Captain Cargill, the main street was renamed Gore Street in honor of Governor Gore Brown, and the town itself was officially named Campbelltown, after the Governor's wife. Despite this official designation, locals continued to refer to it as Bluff, a name that was finally officially adopted in March 1917.

By the 1860s, Bluff had become a crucial feeder port for the Southland province, handling incoming settlers, livestock, and goods, and exporting oats and wool. The discovery of gold in Central Otago further boosted its importance, drawing many gold-diggers through Bluff, second only to Port Chalmers. The Invercargill-Bluff railway, one of New Zealand's earliest, opened on February 5, 1867, further connecting Bluff to the wider region. The town's economy continued to evolve, with the Ocean Beach Freezing Works, established in 1891, making Bluff the largest exporter of frozen mutton and lamb in New Zealand by the 1960s. In 1960, a major expansion of port facilities culminated in the opening of the 40-hectare man-made Island Harbour, significantly increasing its capacity.

• —Stirling Point — This location marks the southern terminus of New Zealand's State Highway 1. Here, a yellow signpost indicates distances to major cities worldwide, including the Equator and the South Pole. It is also the finishing point for hikers on the Te Araroa Trail.
• —Bluff Hill (Motupōhue) Lookout — Drive or walk to the summit of Bluff Hill for views of Bluff, Tiwai Point, Foveaux Strait, and, on clear days, Stewart Island (Rakiura). The hill stands at 265 meters (870 feet) and provides shelter from westerly winds.
• —Bluff Maritime Museum — This museum on Foreshore Road offers displays and artifacts detailing Bluff's maritime heritage, including whaling, oystering, shipwrecks, and the port's development. Visitors can board the full-sized oystering boat, the Monica.
• —Foveaux Walkway — This coastal track stretches 6.6 km from Stirling Point to Ocean Beach, offering views of the ocean and Stewart Island. It is an option for a longer walk, or a shorter loop can be taken via the Glory Track.
• —Greenpoint Ship Graveyard — Accessible via the Greenpoint Track, this area along the coast features several wrecked ships, some mostly intact, others reduced to posts sticking out of the water.
• —Bluff Public Wharf (Oyster Cove) — This active port area shows Bluff's working maritime industry and its connection to the Foveaux Strait oysters. The oyster season runs from March to late August.

The best time to visit Bluff for warm-weather activities is from mid-January to late February, with a peak in the first week of February. During this period, days are generally clear, rainless, and temperatures are comfortable, averaging around 18°C (64°F) in February. January, February, and April typically offer the most optimal weather conditions overall.

If you are interested in the Bluff Oysters, the season runs from March to late August. The Bluff Oyster and Food Festival usually takes place in May, drawing crowds despite the cooler, transitioning-to-winter temperatures. May and September tend to have less optimal weather conditions. Winter, from June to August, brings colder temperatures, with average lows of 4°C (39°F) in July, and shorter daylight hours.

Bluff is 30 kilometers south of Invercargill, marking the southern end of State Highway 1. The nearest airport is Invercargill Airport (IVC), a 30-minute drive away. You can reach Bluff from Invercargill by bus, with regular services operating in conjunction with the Stewart Island ferry schedule. Catch a Bus South offers daily services from Invercargill to the Bluff Ferry Terminal or town center, taking approximately 30-40 minutes and starting from $30 NZD one way.

For those driving, parking is available at the Bluff Visitor Terminal on Foreshore Road, especially convenient if you are taking the ferry to Stewart Island. This facility costs 5 NZD per 24 hours and is paid on exit. There are no ATM facilities in Bluff, so it is advisable to get cash in Invercargill before arriving. Walking is a good way to explore the town and its coastal tracks. The Invercargill Bluff Trail, completed in October 2021, provides a 25km off-road option for cyclists and walkers between the two towns.