What to do in Bluff
So much to do, you’ll need more time!
BLUFF OYSTER & FOOD FESTIVAL
24 May 2025
http://bluffoysterfest.co.nz/ enquiries@bluffoysterfest.co.nz
Complementing the sumptuous Bluff Oyster is a variety of seafood. Crayfish, Paua, Scallops, Salmon, Blue Cod and Whitebait in abundance. Local fare that will tempt any taste buds, sought after muttonbird, venison, lamb, beef and pork, which can be washed down with a great southern ale or one of the fine selection of New Zealand wines.
TICKETS - Tickets for the 2025 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival are on sale on Trade Me. The official account is ‘oysterfestival’.
BLUFF OYSTER SEASON
Grown slowly in the cold clean waters of the Foveaux Strait, Bluff oysters are thought by many to be the best oysters in the world.
In season, (March till about August) they are dredged by Bluff’s oyster fleet.
Find out more at https://www.bluff.co.nz/oystering
Fresh Oysters are available in season at the 4Square Supermarket in Gore Street, and at Fowlers Oysters, Ocean Beach Road, (03) 212 9792 – on the left as you approach Bluff on State Highway 1.
STREET MURALS
In February 2021 15 of New Zealand's best street artists took to the streets of Bluff for the second edition of the South Sea Spray - called Motupōhue.
The talented results can be seen on the walls of Bluff's buildings. Each artist was asked to make a conscious effort to paint something relevant to Bluff. A similar project took place in Riverton in 2018.
Artists Flox, Trustme, Dcypher, Charles & Janine Williams, MrG, Kell Sunshine, Yikes, Erika Pearce, Berst, Shane Walkers, Ikarus, Koryu and Sean Duffell were part of the festival.
BLUFF MARITIME MUSEUM
Foreshore Road, (03) 212 7534
Exhibits include whaling, oystering, shipwrecks and a working steam engine from the TST Awarua. Pride of place is the oyster boat Monica II situated beside the museum with a replica seabed and oyster dredges.
STEWART ISLAND FERRY SERVICES
21 Foreshore Road (03) 212 7660
The Stewart Island Experience passenger ferry cruises across the Foveaux Strait from Bluff to Halfmoon Bay, Oban. The trip is 1 hour long. Get a glimpse of the experience in this video
SHARK EXPERIENCE
CAGE DIVING AND SHARK SIGHTING 64 Gore Street, Bluff. (03) 2127112
http://www.sharkexperience.co.nz/
Taking bookings now for current season: 1st Dec 2024 to June 2025
WATCH: Shark Lockdown for sharks in Foveaux Strait in 2021
STIRLING POINT
Stirling Point International Signpost
The beginning of State Highway One is less than 1 km from your unit. Have THAT famous photo taken and explore the Foveaux Walking Track from here.
Restaurant, Winebar, Cafe, Gift Shop and ccommodation.
BLUFF CENTRAL
Gore Street, Bluff.
Check out the Visitor / Information Centre. Wander along Gore Street and see Bluff's heritage buildings, learn about local history and the Aurora Australis.
BLUFF GOLF COURSE
Omaui Road (Greenhills)
Southernmost 9-hole golf course in New Zealand.
Club days – Wednesday: Women, Saturday: Men, Twilight Wednesday 5 pm.
SOUTH PORT
NZ History 3 Dec, 1960. Bluff Island Harbour opened
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NZ History 3 Dec, 1960. Bluff Island Harbour opened 〰️
Island Harbour, Southland’s Port, operated by South Port NZ Ltd
South Port is New Zealand’s southernmost commercial deepwater port. From its base on the 40ha man-made Island Harbour, South Port provides a full range of marine services, cargo and container shipping, and on-site warehousing for domestic and international customers. The port is ideally situated to service Southland’s significant export and import industries including aluminium, timber, fisheries, dairy, meat, wood chips, stock food, cement, alumina, fertiliser and petroleum products.
Tours available by contacting South Port office (03)212 8159
GREENPOINT DOMAIN SHIPS’ GRAVEYARD
This walkway begins opposite the Greenpoint Cemetry. Approx. leisurely walking time [one way] is 15 minutes. Southland's ships' graveyard at Greenpoint has at least 14 small ships and former oyster boats including the Kekeno, Dispatch, Hirere, Savaii, Sir William Wallace, Miro and Rita, which can be seen at low tide
MOTUPŌHUE/BLUFF HILL
Flagstaff Road.
Panoramic views of Southland, Foveaux Strait and Stewart Island. Bluff Hill/Motupōhue Scenic Reserve is ideal for groups wanting to explore the human and natural history of the Stirling Point area in Bluff. The summit can be driven to, or walked to via either the Tōpuni or the Millennium tracks.
WALKING TRACKS
The network of walking tracks at Bluff Hill are a nature lover’s delight, with abundant native birdlife and flora, much of which is rare except on island sanctuaries. Coastal tracks offer stunning views over the ocean, and in the winter you may just be lucky enough to spot a rare Southern Right Whale (Tohorā). A viewing platform on the summit of Bluff Hill provides amazing panoramic views.
Foveaux Walkway: Stirling Point to Lookout Point (3124m, 60 minutes one way)
Topuni Track: Stirling Point to Bluff Hilltop (1667m, 50 minutes one way)
Glory Track: Tópuni Track to Foveaux Walkway (2137m, 60 minutes one way)
Millennium Track: Lookout Point to Bluff Hilltop (1717m, 55 minutes one way)
Ocean Beach Track: Lookout Point to Ocean Beach (4178m, 90 minutes one way)
Pearce Street Track: Pearce Street to McDougall Street (20 minutes one way)
BLUFF HILL/MOTUPŌHUE MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK
Te Wahi Tākaro o Motupōhue Adventure Park, Bluff’s latest recreational facility, officially opened to the public on Saturday 23 November 2024. Located on Motupōhue Bluff Hill, the park features over 10km of mountain biking and walking trails, catering to a wide range of skill levels and abilities. Entry to trails 15 Pearce Street, Bluff.
OCEAN BEACH AQUACULTURE
You would have seen these buildings as you came into Bluff but might be surprised to learn what is happening within those walls. Ocean Beach, Bluff, has a rich history, from early Māori settlements and 18th-century whaling to being New Zealand’s largest freezing works. Today, this historic site is being transformed into New Zealand’s largest onshore aquaculture facility, dedicated to sustainable seafood production. The vision for the Aquaculture Centre is to position Bluff as a key culinary and tourism hub, combining innovative aquaculture ventures with visitor experiences like artisan workshops, tours, and future hospitality offerings, all while celebrating the region’s heritage. https://www.oceanbeach.nz/
Already operating in this space…
Foveaux Paua
is pioneering land-based abalone farming at Ocean Beach, using water from the pure Foveaux Strait. The farm specializes in cultivating cocktail-size pāua, a beloved seafood delicacy. You can book a tour here https://www.foveauxpaua.co.nz/book
Manāki Whitebait
is leading the charge in commercial land-based whitebait farming, based on over 16 years of research. The facility at Ocean Beach replicates the natural cycle of whitebait, from river to sea, using the abundant local freshwater and seawater. https://whitebait.co.nz/
Kelp Blue
operates a hatchery at Ocean Beach, growing Macrocystis Pyrifera, also known as giant kelp. The nutrient-rich, cold waters of the South Island are ideal for cultivating this kelp, which is harvested for use in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textiles
Bluff Distillery
produces Bluff London Gin, crafted in the historic Ocean Beach freezing works. This small-batch gin is inspired by the region’s rugged spirit and its unique bottle pays tribute to the glass buoys that symbolise Bluff’s defiance and resilience. Distilled with local ingredients, Bluff Gin reflects the town’s bold character. Visitors can experience the distillery firsthand and enjoy a taste of Bluff's unique history and craft. https://www.bluffdistillery.com/our-story
TAHU-NUI-Ā-RANGI AURORA AUSTRALIS
You’re most likely to spot the southern lights in autumn & winter when there are clear skies and very little moonlight. When all the conditions are perfect, you can sometimes see the Aurora without a camera, but mostly you will see white vertical beams of light with the naked eye. A good-quality smartphone camera or a camera with a low shutter speed will help capture the phenomenon. Search Facebook for Aurora Australis groups. to find predictions of when you might see the Aurora although these are never certain.
The first photo above was taken from the top of Bluff Hill. The second from our backyard right next to Studio 2. Anywhere in Bluff, facing south and away from light pollution works well when the conditions are right.