Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island
SH1’s southern end at Stirling Point, a ferry across Foveaux Strait and a bird sanctuary in Paterson Inlet.
- Distance
- 82 km (51 mi)
- Driving
- 0 h 54 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 9
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 5, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 82 km (51 mi) with 9 stops, from Invercargill to Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay. About 0 h 54 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Start in Invercargill, where fuel and supplies are best, then drive about 27 kilometres south on SH1 to Bluff. Walk to the Stirling Point signpost at the end of the highway and, if the weather is clear, drive up Bluff Hill for the view of Foveaux Strait. Bluff has holiday parks and a motorhome parking area; check council rules for overnight stays and carry your certificate.
The ferry from Bluff to Oban on Stewart Island takes about an hour and carries passengers only, so leave your vehicle at a secure car park or holiday park in Bluff and book the crossing in advance. Foveaux Strait can be rough, so take seasickness tablets if you are prone. Flights from Invercargill take about 20 minutes and are an alternative in bad weather.
Oban, the only settlement on the island, is small and walkable. Visit the Rakiura Museum, then climb to Observation Rock for sunset over Halfmoon Bay. A water taxi to Ulva Island lets you walk through forest with robins, saddlebacks and parakeets; book it the day before. Kiwi can be seen on evening tours or on the beaches, and you should never use white light.
The island has few roads and no motorhome access, so stay in a lodge or at a holiday park in Oban. Day walks on the first section of the Rakiura Track begin at Horseshoe Bay. Great Walk huts and campsites on the full three-day track need booking in advance. Bring waterproofs, as rain falls on many days, and expect mud on most tracks.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Invercargill
New Zealand - 225 km
Bluff
New Zealand - 34 km
Stirling Point, Bluff
OdditiesBluff, New ZealandThe southern end of SH1, marked by a signpost with distances to cities around the world, with a short walk to the Foveaux Strait shore. The car park has space for motorhomes, and a café nearby. It is also the start of the Te Araroa trail.
- 43 km
Bluff Hill / Motupōhue
ViewsBluff, New ZealandA forested hill above Bluff with a lookout over the harbour, Foveaux Strait and, on clear days, Stewart Island. A sealed road leads to the car park. Bluff oysters are a local speciality, with the dredging season generally running from autumn to winter.
- 544 km
Oban
New Zealand - 60 km
Rakiura Museum
HistoryOban, New ZealandA small museum in Oban covering Māori and European history on Stewart Island, including sealing, whaling, fishing and Norwegian settlers. Entry is by donation, and hours are limited, so check before visiting. It makes a good first stop after the ferry arrives.
- 71 km
Observation Rock
ViewsOban, New ZealandA short walk of about 20 minutes from Oban leads to a rock lookout over Halfmoon Bay and Paterson Inlet. It is a good place for sunset. The track is well formed, though steep in places, and sturdy shoes are advised.
- 82 km
Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara
NatureOban, New ZealandA predator-free bird sanctuary in Paterson Inlet, reached by a short water-taxi ride from Oban, where robins, saddlebacks and parakeets are easy to see on forest tracks. Walk quietly and keep to the tracks. Book the boat in advance, and do not bring pets or food.
- 93 km
Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay
NatureOban, New ZealandThe start of the Rakiura Track, a three-day Great Walk of about 32 kilometres through coastal forest, with huts and campsites on Stewart Island. Shorter day walks use the first section. Huts and campsites need booking, and the track can be very muddy.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Invercargill → Stirling Point, Bluff · 29 km · 0 h 19 minOn the way: Bluff.
- Day 2: Stirling Point, Bluff → Oban · 47 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Bluff Hill / Motupōhue.
- Day 3: Oban → Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay · 7 km · 0 h 04 minOn the way: Rakiura Museum, Observation Rock, Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island?
3-day road trip of about 82 km (51 mi) with 9 stops, from Invercargill to Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay. About 0 h 54 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island?
We suggest 3 days: about 0 h 54 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island start and end?
It starts in Invercargill and ends in Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay.
Which states does Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Bluff to Stewart Island / Rakiura and Ulva Island?
The most pleasant months are usually February–April and November–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
