Last updated October 2026
Trips to Stewart Island/Rakiura usually start in Invercargill, and the first leg is the 30 kilometres down State Highway 1 to the ferry terminal at Bluff. It is a short drive, but it is the leg that tends to cause stress: a fixed sailing time, a check-in deadline, and often more gear than fits in a taxi.
★View the Best Shuttles and Transfers in Invercargill→Here is how to get from Invercargill to Bluff for the ferry, what to check before you go, and what to buy before you leave the mainland.
Getting from Invercargill to Bluff
Bluff is about 30 kilometres south of Invercargill, roughly a 25 to 30 minute drive. The ferry terminal is on Foreshore Road, close to the town centre.
Ferry connection coach
- What to expect
- A coach that runs between Invercargill and Bluff for each sailing
- Good to know
- Must be pre-booked, with set pick-up points in Invercargill
Door-to-door shuttle
- What to expect
- Shared shuttles collecting from homes, hotels and the city centre
- Good to know
- Fixed departure times through the day
Private transfer
- What to expect
- A vehicle for your group only, timed to your sailing
- Good to know
- Room for extra stops and gear
Taxi
- What to expect
- Direct and on demand
- Good to know
- Book ahead for early sailings
Drive and park
- What to expect
- Leave your car at the Bluff terminal car park
- Good to know
- Parking cannot be booked in advance
Walk or cycle
- What to expect
- The Invercargill Bluff Trail, about 25 kilometres
- Good to know
- Gear goes separately
Is there a shuttle from Bluff back to Invercargill?
Yes. The ferry connection coach runs back to Invercargill after each sailing arrives, and door-to-door shuttles and private transfers work in both directions. If your return sailing could be delayed by weather, ask your transfer operator what happens if the ferry runs late.
Cycling the trail
If you are travelling light, the Invercargill Bluff Trail is an off-road route of about 25 kilometres, with the final 16 kilometres sealed as a shared path from Awarua to Bluff. It is a good way to finish a Te Araroa walk, but you will still need to get bags and bikes onto the ferry separately.
Before you book the transfer
Book the ferry first
Book your sailing before you book anything else, then work the transfer around it. Ferry times change with the seasons, so check the current timetable directly with the ferry operator rather than relying on an old screenshot.
Check-in times
For the Stewart Island ferry, check-in is 30 minutes before departure, and the check-in and boarding gates close 10 minutes before the ferry leaves. Add the drive, any stops and a buffer for traffic, and you will see why it pays to arrive in Bluff well ahead of time.
Luggage limits
The ferry allows two checked bags plus one small carry-on per person. Extra luggage, bikes and kayaks travel by prior arrangement, and not on every sailing, because cargo space is limited. The ferry carries passengers and light freight only, so you cannot take a car across.
Stocking up before you cross
Groceries and supplies
Oban has a grocery store, cafés and restaurants, but the choice is smaller than on the mainland. If you are self-catering, hunting or staying in a hut, it is easier to shop in Invercargill. Some transfer operators will collect a supermarket order for you on the way to Bluff.
Gear checklist
- Warm, waterproof layers for the crossing and the island weather
- Non-slip shoes or boots
- Food for your whole stay if you are heading beyond Oban
- A chilly bin and salt ice if you plan to bring back fish or meat
- Cooking gas, after checking with the ferry how it needs to be carried
- Any personal medication, plus something for seasickness if you need it
Flying instead
Stewart Island/Rakiura is an hour by ferry from Bluff or about 20 minutes by plane from Invercargill, according to the Department of Conservation’s Stewart Island information. Flights are a good option if you are short on time, but check the baggage allowance before you pack.
When the weather turns
Foveaux Strait is exposed, and sailings can be delayed or cancelled in rough weather. Your ferry booking and your transfer are separate contracts, so check both cancellation policies. If the ferry is delayed or cancelled, tell your transfer operator as soon as you can so they can move your pick-up.
Where Southern Pursuit fits
Southern Pursuit is an Invercargill transfer and hire service run by Brad and Dana Shaw, and the business began with a lift to Bluff for a hunting charter. They time Stewart Island ferry and charter connections around your sailing, with morning, midday, afternoon and evening transfer windows, and can collect you from anywhere in Southland, including Invercargill Airport, and drop you at the Bluff ferry terminal.
On the way, they can pick up a pre-ordered Woolworths grocery order, stop at a liquor, hunting or fishing store, and have chilly bins, salt ice, camp stoves and other hire gear ready at pickup. When you book, tell them your pick-up address, number of passengers, ferry time, how much gear you have and any stops. Their FAQ page covers what happens if the ferry is delayed or cancelled.
