Bluff - Oban (Stewart Island)
Ferries to Stewart Island
Bluff - Oban (Stewart Island)
Ferries to Stewart Island
Stewart Island Experience provides the ferry from Bluff to Oban (Stewart Island). Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferries cost between 136€ and 417€, depending on ticket details. Prices exclude any service fees. Ferry timetables change seasonally, use our Deal Finder to get live pricing and availability for Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferries.
The first Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferry typically departs from Bluff at around 09:45. The last ferry usually departs at 17:15.
The Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferry trip can take around 1 hour. Sailing times can vary between ferry operators and can be impacted by weather conditions.
There is 15 weekly sailings from Bluff to Oban (Stewart Island) provided by Stewart Island Experience. Timetables can change from season to season.
Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferry prices typically range between 136€* and 417€*. The average price is typically 271€*. The cheapest Bluff Oban (Stewart Island) ferry prices start from 136€*. The average price for a foot passenger is 271€*.
Pricing will vary depending on number of passengers, vehicle type, route and sailing times. Pricing is taken from searches over last 30 days and exclusive of service fees, last updated 1 February 2026.
The distance between Bluff to Oban (Stewart Island) is approximately 25.1 miles (40.4km) or 21.8 nautical miles.
No, ferry operators currently do not allow cars to travel on sailings between Bluff and Oban (Stewart Island).
Yes, foot passengers can travel with Stewart Island Experience ferries between Bluff and Oban (Stewart Island).
Pets are allowed on ferries travelling from Bluff to Oban (Stewart Island) with Stewart Island Experience. Please also note that your pet may have to stay in the vehicle during the journey unless the ferry operator supplies pet accommodation.
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| Bluff - Oban (Stewart Island) Ferry Route Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Departure Destination | New Zealand | |
| Destination | Stewart Island | |
| No. of Operators | 1 | |
| Operators | Stewart Island Experience | |
| Average Price | €271 | |
| Average Daily Sailings | 2 | |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 15 | |
| Average Sailing Duration | 1 h | |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 1 h | |
| First Ferry | 09:45 | |
| Last Ferry | 17:15 | |
| Distance | 22 Nautical Miles | |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 February 2026.
Bluff is a town and seaport on the southern coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Stewart Island Experience have four daily sailings heading to the country’s southernmost inhabited island settlement, Oban, from the port with journey duration taking just an hour.
What should I do in Bluff?
The Maritime Museum is a must visit for anyone who is travelling along the Southern Scenic Route. Being the home to the oldest European settled community in the country brings with it a wealth of maritime history. There are displays of whaling, oystering and shipwrecks for you to admire. The town is dominated by Bluff Hill and this provides world class walks along the coastline and native bush. Along the shoreline is the beautiful Omaui Beach and freshwater lagoon which is well worth a trip. The Southland area is also the ideal place to play some magnificent and picturesque golf courses
What are the transport links like?
The town is the southern terminus of the Bluff Branch railway service and lies twenty miles south of Invercargill. It’s also well connected by road with State Highway 1 running straight into the town.
What services run from the port?
The Port of Bluff provides four daily sailings south to Oban on Stewart Island. The twenty eight weekly journeys are all provided by Stewart Island Experience with the trip taking just an hour to complete.
