Bluff Oban Ferries

The Bluff Oban ferry route connects New Zealand with Stewart Island. Currently there is just the 1 ferry company operating this ferry service, Stewart Island Experience. The crossing operates up to 16 times each week with sailing durations from around 1 hour.

Bluff Oban sailing durations and frequency may vary from season to season so we’d advise doing a live check to get the most up to date information.

Bluff Guide

Bluff Ferry Port

On a bulb-shaped peninsula in the South Island region of New Zealand is the small town of Bluff. Named after the broad cliffs that dominate the south-eastern skyline of town, this coastal settlement on the shores of the Bluff Harbour lagoon is built around a neatly ordered network of streets lined by manicured lawns and a patchwork of bungalows. The long Marine Parade road that arcs along the west coast offers spectacular views over the rocky shores of the clear-watered bay. It’s a route that leads to Stirling Point on the tip of a lush-green promontory where visitors can dine on the local delicacy of Bluff oysters at the nearby restaurant. The seaport in Bluff is largely dedicated to the area’s large fleet of fishing vessels, but it is also a gateway for passengers wanting to reach New Zealand’s southernmost region of Stewart Island. The ferry terminal here is nothing more than a concrete pier from which foot passengers can board the departing ships and an overnight car-park opposite the check-in building. Getting to Bluff port from the southern reaches of New Zealand is easy due to the Route 1 highway that snakes up along the coast of the peninsula and into the larger city of Invercargill. From here travellers can catch a flight from the Invercargill airport or board one of the trains that cover the distance to and from Bluff. Currently only one service operates from Bluff port. A Stewart Island Experience line makes the short trip south through the narrow channel of Bluff Harbour before crossing the Foveaux Strait to the port-town of Oban on Stewart Island.

Oban (Stewart Island) Guide

Oban (Stewart Island) Ferry Port

Oban is found on the popular tourist destination of Stewart Island, the third largest belonging to New Zealand. The only ferry route departing the port is to Bluff on South Island, supplied by Stewart Island Experience Ferries and typically lasts around an hour.

What is there to do in Oban?

A sleepy island predominantly inhabited by fishermen, Oban and Stewart Island is the perfect place for visitors to escape the stress of New Zealand’s busy cities and bask in the beautiful nature synonymous with the island. As well as fishing, the main pastime is birdwatching or animal spotting; along the shoreline lie a myriad of unusual animals such as Cape Pigeons, mollymawks and even penguins can be found dotted around the coast. Whilst witnessing the wildlife in the great outdoors, it makes sense to embark on one of the intriguing walking trails scattered around the beautiful terrain. The views from the top of some of the challenging hills and mountains are breathtaking enough to make the journey there worthwhile. After a long day outside, savour some of the delicious food served at the wide range of restaurants, with seafood typically being the special of the day.

How do visitors get around Oban?

Oban is so small that it is possible to cover the entirety of it by foot, which is the desirable option considering the alluring walking trails and picturesque views.