Bluff is the southern-most town in New Zealand. It is 30 km by the road from Invercargill and drive is worth a trip. You pass through a variety of various landscapes, from the flat farmland almost overrun by Native Tussock plants to coastal views. And not forgetting the well know Aluminium smelters factory on Tiwai Point, which is New Zealand’s only aluminium smelters.
Before you decent into Bluff you get a spectacular view of the town nestled along the waterfront. As you drive you will be rewarded with views of the shipping yards, homes, the ocean, fishing boats (such as the old wrecks that are left by the shore for the birds to nest on) and of course the Ferry Terminal which will take you to the final Island of New Zealand – ‘Steward Island’.
Steward Island is 60km of the coast from Bluff. Bluff has its personal range of accommodation, some proper on the waterfront, so if you are fortunate you can get a room with a view. Appear the other way, away from the ocean and the skyline is dominated by Bluff Hill.
Bluff Hill stands at 265 m, and is an extinct volcanic cone. But it is advised to drive up there, though regional athletes do run, walk and cycle up the steep hill only to get to the best and get blasted by the prevailing westerly winds. But the view on any given day is worth the work. You look out over Native Bush, the town of Bluff and the emerald blue ocean.
Bluff is the end of State Highway 1, which runs the length of New Zealand. At the south finish of town sits Stirling Point. At Stirling Point you will locate a signpost depicting the distance and directions to significant cities about the planet, which includes the Equator and the South Pole. This is a should tourist location to go to, the views of the ocean are spectacular and there is a walk way you can follow around the point by means of Native Bush. For those not inclined to walking, turn towards the hill and there is a lovely restaurant with views more than the ocean.
Bluff is exclusive in numerous approaches, the locals are friendly, there are lots of tiny shops, lots to see but it is also the oldest European settlement in complete New Zealand. It has a rich history but is often overlooked by Southlanders as the ‘complete end of New Zealand’. This to me appears a shame as I have usually gone there to get pleasure from the beautiful landscape and peace that you can only get from the ocean.
Bluff is becoming restored, the roads are clean and repaired, the homes are all various and the beaches readily accessible. I am one particular of these folks who will frequently go ‘behind the scenes’, away from where absolutely everyone else likes to go. I typically take side roads, and on one such an occasion identified myself in front of the Maritime Museum, full with a large gorgeous boat outdoors with my name on it! Driving a tiny further down roads which aren’t on the tourist map, I came across fishing yards complete of tools of the trade, old boats, factories and the harbour itself. My luck was with me that day simply because a rather big container ship had just pulled in (if that is indeed what ships do), and I was treated with the activity and co-ordination that goes along with docking such a big beast. And to my amazement and amusement, right alongside the container ship was a significantly smaller sized neighborhood fisherman unloading his every day catch. He appeared in no wonderful hurry as he took in the sight and was soon chatting to a colleague from a neighbouring fishing boat. Such is the sights and sounds of Bluff. It’s much more or less classic fishing village with a modern day twist.
I am glad I live inside driving distance of this tiny unknown and usually unappreciated fishing town Bluff, the southern-most town of New Zealand.
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