Best Shuttles and Transfers in Invercargill: Airport, Bluff Ferry and Queenstown Transfers
Finding the best shuttles and transfers in Invercargill depends on where you are heading: the Stewart Island ferry at Bluff, a flight out of Invercargill Airport, Queenstown, Te Anau or a hunting block with a van full of gear. This guide covers five Invercargill transport operators, from private transfers with supply stops and gear hire to ferry coaches, chauffeur cars and minibus charters. Southern Pursuit heads the list, with door-to-door transfers timed around Stewart Island ferry and charter departures.
1Southern Pursuit
Southern Pursuit is an Invercargill transfer, van hire and equipment hire service run by Brad and Dana Shaw for people heading out hunting, fishing or exploring Southland. They collect from the airport, accommodation or home and run private transfers to Bluff, Te Anau and Queenstown, with Stewart Island ferry and charter connections, grocery pick-ups, supply stops and camp gear hire on the way, plus 12-seater van hire.
Services
- Private transfers to Bluff, Te Anau, Queenstown and anywhere in Southland
- Stewart Island ferry and charter connections
- 12-seater van hire, self-drive or with a driver
- Woolworths grocery pre-order pick-up and supply stops
- Camp cooking gear, chilly bin and salt ice hire
Highlights
- Locally run by Brad, a born-and-bred Southlander, and Dana Shaw
- Pick-ups from Invercargill Airport, accommodation, homes and bus stops
- Morning, midday, afternoon and evening ferry transfer windows
- Bookings confirmed within 24 hours
- Local charter and food recommendations for the deep south
Customer Feedback
Location & Contact
Name: Southern Pursuit
Address: Invercargill
Phone: 021 573 111
Website: southernpursuit.co.nz
Contact Southern Pursuit via Email
2Catch a Bus South
Catch a Bus South is a locally owned, family-operated shuttle and transport service based at Invercargill Airport. It runs door-to-door services from Invercargill to Bluff, Queenstown, Dunedin and Te Anau, picking up from Tuatara Lodge in the city or your home, hotel or workplace. Charters cover hunting groups, weddings, sports teams, conferences and cruise ship passengers, and there are Catlins and Bluff day tours.
Services
- Invercargill to Bluff transfers for the Stewart Island ferry
- Invercargill to Queenstown, Dunedin and Te Anau services
- Southland hunting transfers for crews, gear and chilly bins
- Charters for conferences, weddings, sports teams and cruise ships
- Catlins and Bluff day tours
Highlights
- Locally owned and family operated
- Operates under a Waka Kotahi NZTA passenger service licence
- Drivers hold P endorsements
- Member of the Bus and Coach Association New Zealand
- Fleet of small, fuel-efficient vehicles
Location & Contact
Name: Catch a Bus South
Address: 77 Airport Avenue, Invercargill Airport 9879
Phone: 027 449 7994
Website: catchabussouth.com
3Executive Car Service
Executive Car Service is based at Invercargill Airport and runs chauffeur and private transfers for individuals, groups and corporate clients to any destination, not just the airport. Its VIP vehicle is a customised Ford Transit with extra space for guests, with an SUV or sedan available on request and unmarked vehicles for clients who want discretion. It also offers secure vehicle storage, grooming and valet.
Services
- Chauffeur and private transfers to any destination
- Group and corporate transfers
- Secure undercover vehicle storage at the airport
- Car grooming and detailing
- Airport valet service
Highlights
- Based at Invercargill Airport
- Customised Ford Transit VIP vehicle
- SUV or sedan available on request
- Unmarked vehicles available for confidentiality
- Out-of-hours bookings by arrangement
Location & Contact
Name: Executive Car Service
Address: 77 Airport Avenue, Invercargill Airport, Invercargill 9879
Phone: 03 214 3434
Website: executiveinvercargill.com
4Stewart Island Experience
Stewart Island Experience, operated by RealNZ, runs the ferry between Bluff and Oban and the coach connections from Invercargill that meet each ferry arrival and departure. Pick-ups and drop-offs are available at several Invercargill points, including the city centre outside Tuatara Backpackers, and at Invercargill Airport if you ask when booking. The Foveaux Strait crossing to Oban takes about an hour.
Services
- Invercargill to Bluff coach connections for each ferry
- Bluff to Invercargill return coaches
- Stewart Island ferry between Bluff and Oban
- Extra luggage and light freight by prior arrangement
- Rental cars, minivans and e-bikes from the Oban visitor centre
Highlights
- Coaches timed to every ferry sailing
- Invercargill Airport pick-ups on request
- One-hour crossing to Stewart Island
- Two checked bags and a small carry-on per person on the ferry
- Parking at the Bluff terminal for those who drive
Location & Contact
Name: Stewart Island Experience
Address: 21 Foreshore Road, Bluff
Phone: 0800 656 501
Website: realnz.com
5Event Bus Charters and Tours
Event Bus Charters and Tours runs minibus rental and coach charter around Invercargill and the wider Southland region, and is now part of the Rambler Coachlines family. Groups of around 8 to 15 can hire a self-drive minibus, or book a coach with an experienced driver for sports trips, weddings, conferences and weekends away. Self-drive hirers must be 25 or older with a full licence held for two years.
Services
- Self-drive minibus rental
- Coach charter with a driver
- Transport for sports teams and wedding groups
- Conference and business group travel
- Group road trips and day trips around Southland
Highlights
- Around twenty years of running services in Invercargill and Southland
- Holds Transport Service Licences
- Minibuses serviced after every rental and kept to NZTA standards
- Comprehensive insurance and roadside help included with minibus rental
- Part of Rambler Coachlines
Location & Contact
Name: Event Bus Charters and Tours
Address: 128 Otepuni Avenue, Invercargill 9810
Phone: 0800 233 662
Website: ramblercoachlines.nz
Shuttles and Transfers in Invercargill at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Southern Pursuit | Locally run by Brad, a born-and-bred Southlander, and Dana Shaw |
| Catch a Bus South | Locally owned and family operated |
| Executive Car Service | Based at Invercargill Airport |
| Stewart Island Experience | Coaches timed to every ferry sailing |
| Event Bus Charters and Tours | Around twenty years of running services in Invercargill and Southland |
How to Choose the Right Shuttle or Transfer in Invercargill
- Decide between a scheduled shuttle, a private transfer or a charter. Shared services suit solo travellers; private transfers and charters suit groups, odd hours and custom stops.
- For the Stewart Island ferry, check the sailing time first and book a transfer that leaves enough time to check in at Bluff.
- Tell the operator how much luggage and gear you are bringing, including chilly bins, packs, rods or firearm cases, so they can plan the vehicle.
- Ask where pick-ups and drop-offs happen: door-to-door, a city stop such as Tuatara Lodge, or Invercargill Airport.
- Check whether supply stops, gear hire or a return trip can be added to the same booking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shuttles and Transfers in Invercargill
How do I get from Invercargill to the Stewart Island ferry?
The ferry leaves from Bluff, about 30 kilometres south of Invercargill. You can take a coach that connects with each sailing, a door-to-door shuttle or a private transfer, and some operators will also collect from Invercargill Airport. Allow time to check in before departure. The Department of Conservation’s Stewart Island/Rakiura information notes the island is an hour by ferry from Bluff or 20 minutes by plane from Invercargill.
Is there a shuttle from Invercargill to Queenstown?
Yes. Door-to-door shuttles and private transfers run between Invercargill and Queenstown on State Highway 6, which is a drive of around two and a half to three hours. The national coach network also links the two, but its route runs through Dunedin and takes most of a day.
Can I get a shuttle from Invercargill Airport?
Yes. Several Invercargill operators collect from the airport, either as a scheduled pick-up or as a private transfer. Book ahead, as regional services usually only call at the airport when a passenger is pre-booked.
How do I know a shuttle operator is licensed?
Anyone carrying passengers for hire or reward in a vehicle with 12 seats or fewer, including the driver, needs a small passenger service licence, and their drivers need a passenger endorsement. NZ Transport Agency information on small passenger services explains the licence and what it covers.
Can I bring hunting and fishing gear on a transfer?
Packs, chilly bins and rods are common requests, and some operators can take securely cased firearms. Tell the operator exactly what you are bringing when you book so the vehicle has room. If you are continuing on the Stewart Island ferry, check its luggage allowance and arrange extra baggage in advance.
How far ahead should I book a transfer?
Book as early as you can, especially for summer, school holidays and the main hunting season, when ferry sailings and vans fill up. Early bookings also give the operator time to plan supply stops and gear hire.
How We Chose the Best Shuttles and Transfers in Invercargill
Every business in this guide was found by searching for shuttles and transfers in Invercargill, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Invercargill, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.
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