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Bluff
Oban
Ferry to Stewart Island
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Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

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Open tickets are valid for up to 12 months from booking date (see ticket conditions).

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Home / Australasia / Stewart Island / Oban / Bluff Oban Ferry

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Bluff to Oban Guide

Bluff Guide

Bluff Ferry Port serves as a crucial link between New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island, presenting a compelling mix of natural beauty and local culture. Visitors often marvel at the rugged coastlines and the chance to spot rare wildlife, including the iconic kiwi. The port is a stone's throw from some of Bluff's renowned attractions such as the Bluff Maritime Museum and the historic Oyster Boat. The town is famous for its Bluff Oyster Festival, celebrated annually in May, showcasing sumptuous seafood and local music. From Bluff Ferry Port, explorers can easily reach Invercargill, the southernmost city of New Zealand, by a short bus ride. This makes the port not just a departure point but a place where adventures around the South Island begin.

Oban Guide

Oban, the charming main settlement of Stewart Island, serves as a prime entry point to pristine natural beauty and a slower pace of life, captivating travelers. Notable attractions include the Rakiura Museum, which provides insights into the island’s rich Maori and European heritage, and the nearby Ulva Island, a sanctuary teeming with rare wildlife. Visitors can easily access the untouched beaches and dense forests of Stewart Island, ideal for hiking and bird watching. From the Oban ferry port, one can continue their adventure to other southern gems via local bus services that connect to key spots around the island. For those arriving by ferry, the port is conveniently located, with most amenities and accommodations just a short walk away, embodying the island’s compact and accessible nature.

For more information, please visit our Ferries from New Zealand to Stewart Island page.
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Bluff - Oban Ferry Route summary
Departure DestinationNew Zealand
DestinationStewart Island
No. of Operators1
OperatorsStewart Island Experience
Average Price£228
Average Daily Sailings2
Average Weekly Sailings16
Average Sailing Duration1 h
Fastest Sailing Duration1 h
First Ferry09:45
Last Ferry17:15
Distance22 Nautical Miles

* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 March 2025.

Bluff to Oban Ferry Most Popular Questions

  • How long is the ferry from Bluff to Oban?

    The ferry crossing time from Bluff to Oban is approximately 1 hour. Sailing duration may vary from season to season and by operator, so we would advise doing a live check using our Deal Finder.

  • How much is the ferry from Bluff to Oban?

    Bluff to Oban ferry price can differ depending on the season. The average price of a ferry from Bluff to Oban is £228. Price exclusive of booking fees.

  • Which ferry companies operate between Bluff to Oban?

    Stewart Island Experience provide the ferries from Bluff to Oban.

  • How can I book ferry tickets from Bluff to Oban?

    Book ferries from Bluff to Oban through our deal finder and check our offers page to view the latest ferry offers. 

  • Can you travel as a foot passenger on the ferry from Bluff to Oban?

    Yes, you can travel as a foot passenger from Bluff to Oban with

  • Can you take your car on the ferry from Bluff to Oban?

    Cars are currently not allowed to board ferries from Bluff to Oban.

  • Can you bring pets on the ferry from Bluff to Oban?

    Yes, pets are permitted onboard the ferry. You may need a pet passport. Please read the ferry operators pet guidelines. Currently you can bring pets on ferries with:

  • How far is Bluff to Oban?

    The distance from Bluff to Oban is 22 nautical miles.

Bluff Guide

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.

Bluff to Oban Ferry Timetables

Ferry Timetables between 24/03/2025 and 30/03/2025


Operator Departure Time Arrival Time Duration Sailing Days
Stewart Island Experience 09:45 10:45 1 hour Everyday
Stewart Island Experience 13:45 14:45 1 hour Everyday
Stewart Island Experience 17:15 18:15 1 hour Everyday
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