" Bluff " Oyster Capital of New Zealand

First of all i should explain that the area's that i will be talking about of the next few weeks are a part of a province called Southland. The above video is from this area. Southland as a whole is vast compared to other area's in NZ.

It accounts for roughly a third of NZ'S GDP with some of the Largest Industries in New Zealand based here though strangely enough is generally dismissed by other New Zealanders as a force to be reconed with, this may have something to do with fact that it is at the bottom of the south island and if your into Rugby at all then you must go to a Southland Stags game if you get the chance, the atmosphere is amazing.

Another success for Southland has been the Introduction of the ZERO FEE'S scheme for the Southern Institute Of Technology, if want some academic qualifications with some of the best resources in the world in a vast range of vocations then you can't beat this, be quick and further your education while it still lasts.

Anyway i could go on and on but alot of these things are based in Invercargill and i will touch on them more when reviewing the Southern Most City.

Bluff is the next place to visit.

Bluff is located at the bottom of the South Island, New Zealand, in the province of Southland and is the 'Gateway to Stewart Island'.

State highway 1 starts at Bluff's Sterling Point an attraction in itself. Stirling Point is to New Zealand what Landsend is to Great Britain.

Bluff is unique in the fact that it is the oldest European settled town in New Zealand, added to that it has had a very colourful past, some of which can be found at the local Maritime Museum.

Bluff has a lot to offer the discerning traveller with attractions like the Bluff' Maritime Museum, Stirling Point, panoramic views from the viewing platform on top of Bluff Hill (Motupohe), and walking tracks, there is even an old gun placement to view if your keen on abit of tramping up a steep track.

The major event at Bluff is The Oyster Bay Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival these oysters are touted as some of the best in the country, when the season starts they are quickly bought up buy prime restaurants across the country, prices can be driven up by demand so they must be popular, i myself am not a fervent oyster eater so they don't do much for me, but the people that love them say there the best so who am i to argue.

Bluff is major port which services a vast array of vessels and business one being Tiwai Aluminium Smelter, apparently one of the most purest aluminiums in the world is made here, tourists ships going to the Antartic will drop in sometimes for supplies etc as well and then there's the fishing fleets and the ferry also leaves for Stewart Island from here as well.

At Bluff you can see the ocassional seal or penguin and some of the walks offer some great views without going along way for them.

It is however an old town which is trying to redevelop itself, first and foremost it is a working port town so some of the aspects and buildings of it are ugly but as with everything, under the surface you can find beauty and Bluff is one of those places. One tip i can offer you is to go up to the lookout on the top of bluff hill, you can drive up there and the views are quite good, well worth it.

Aussie Pete