# 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.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/nzz-stewart-island-rakiura/

**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. 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 |
| Route | Invercargill → Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay |
| States | New Zealand |
| Updated | May 5, 2026 |

## 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

1. **Invercargill** (New Zealand)
2. **Bluff** (New Zealand)
3. **Stirling Point, Bluff** (Bluff, New Zealand): The 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.
4. **Bluff Hill / Motupōhue** (Bluff, New Zealand): A 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.
5. **Oban** (New Zealand)
6. **Rakiura Museum** (Oban, New Zealand): A 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.
7. **Observation Rock** (Oban, New Zealand): A 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.
8. **Ulva Island / Te Wharawhara** (Oban, New Zealand): A 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.
9. **Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay** (Oban, New Zealand): The 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

1. **Day 1: Invercargill → Stirling Point, Bluff** (29 km, 0 h 19 min) On the way: Bluff.
2. **Day 2: Stirling Point, Bluff → Oban** (47 km, 0 h 31 min) On the way: Bluff Hill / Motupōhue.
3. **Day 3: Oban → Rakiura Track, Horseshoe Bay** (7 km, 0 h 04 min) On 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)