Invercargill City district, Southland, New Zealand

Places to visit near Bluff

Bluff is a town in Invercargill City district, Southland, New Zealand, home to about 1,938 people. Within 50 km by road there are 243 places to visit — 125 beaches & coast, 47 rivers, islands & mangroves, 30 wildlife, forests & gardens and 12 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Tiwai Point (3 km), Te Kanawera / Stirling Point (3 km) and Awarua / Bluff Harbour (4 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Bluff on the map

Bluff, Southland
Bluff, Invercargill City district, Southland, New Zealand. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Bluff at a glance

Location
Invercargill City district, Southland, New Zealand
Population
about 1,938
Coordinates
46.6000° S, 168.3333° E
Places within 50 km
243 (16 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to March for beaches & coast; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves

Top places to visit near Bluff

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Bluff: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Bluff

Things to see near Bluff, by type

Beaches & coast near Bluff

139 beaches & coast within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Morrison Beach (2 km); the best-known is Tiwai Point (3 km). Best time: october to march.

All beaches & coast in Southland →

Rivers, islands & mangroves near Bluff

53 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Island Harbour (1 km). Best time: september to february.

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Southland →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Bluff

33 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Motupōhue Scenic Reserve (2 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Southland →

Hill stations & viewpoints near Bluff

19 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Argyle Rock (2 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Southland →

Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Bluff

11 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Waipārera / Waituna Lagoon (27 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Southland →

Museums near Bluff

8 museums within 100 km of Bluff. The closest is Bluff Maritime Museum (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Bluff

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 27 km on the road.

  1. Start in Bluff
  2. 1 km Slaney Street Park · park, Invercargill City
  3. 3 km Te Kanawera / Stirling Point · beach, Invercargill City
  4. 7 km Dog Island Lighthouse · island, Southland
  5. 8 km Tiwai Point · beach, Invercargill City
  6. 4 km Awarua / Bluff Harbour · beach, Invercargill City
  7. 4 km Back to Bluff

Plan a longer trip from Bluff — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

How to reach Bluff

    All places near Bluff by distance

    Within 15 km of Bluff

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type

    Places near Bluff by type
    TypePlacesNearest
    Beaches & coast139Morrison Beach (2 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves53Island Harbour (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens33Motupōhue Scenic Reserve (2 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints19Argyle Rock (2 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs11Waipārera / Waituna Lagoon (27 km)
    Museums8Bluff Maritime Museum (1 km)
    Churches5St. Mary's Basilica (26 km)
    Forts & heritage4Southland Museum & Art Gallery (27 km)
    Parks3Slaney Street Park (1 km)
    Treks1GW - 09 Rakiura Track (45 km)
    Waterfalls1McLean Falls (97 km)
    Caves1Clifden Caves - Lower Entrance (99 km)
    Other attractions1Clifden Suspension Bridge (99 km)

    Bluff: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Bluff?

    Tiwai Point (beach, about 3 km), Te Kanawera / Stirling Point (beach, about 3 km), Awarua / Bluff Harbour (beach, about 4 km), Dog Island Lighthouse (island, about 10 km), Slaney Street Park (park, about 1 km), Bluff Maritime Museum (museum, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Bluff?

    243 places on Spotwander: 125 beaches & coast, 47 rivers, islands & mangroves, 30 wildlife, forests & gardens, 12 hill stations & viewpoints, 10 lakes, dams & reservoirs.

    Which is the nearest beach to Bluff?

    Morrison Beach, about 2 km by road; Argyle Beach (2 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest river spot to Bluff?

    Island Harbour, about 1 km by road; Te Motu-kāika-kurī / Tikore Island (4 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Bluff?

    Motupōhue Scenic Reserve, about 2 km by road; Tiwai Rocks Wildlife Management Reserve (4 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Bluff?

    Start in Bluff, visit Slaney Street Park, then Te Kanawera / Stirling Point, then Dog Island Lighthouse, then Tiwai Point, then Awarua / Bluff Harbour, and drive back — about 27 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Bluff?

    October to March for beaches & coast; September to February for rivers, islands & mangroves.

    Towns near Bluff

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Bluff’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Bluff on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.