Bluff Hill
Bluff Hill
4.5
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4.5
197 reviews
Excellent
118
Very good
60
Average
18
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Peter H
Brisbane Region, Australia166 contributions
Dec 2019
The drive up the winding road to the lookout is not for a novice driver, so care is needed. However, the views are fantastic and you can see out to Stewart Island. Unfortunately, it was a little cloudy on the afternoon of our visit, but the views were still spectacular.
Some signage on the walk to the lookout provides some background to the area as well as New Zealand as a whole.
Some signage on the walk to the lookout provides some background to the area as well as New Zealand as a whole.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew B
Levin, New Zealand37 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The views from the top of the hill are amazing. Brilliant opportunity to take lots of photos. There is a lot of information and a map that shows the surrounding landmarks and islands. We walked along the coastal track, then up the millennium track to the lookout. Great views along the coastal walkway, plenty of information particularly the history around settlement and being used as a defense post.
Written 20 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TWal1
Canberra, Australia2,938 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
A very brief visit to the top of the lookout on a cold, wet and windy day. These are probably normal conditions. The view is good and worth the short detour out of town. Ample parking near the summit.
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chimayred
Durham, NH2,578 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This is my second time to the lookout. Gorgeous 360 views. There is a circular relief “map” showing all the sights - Stewart island, the other islands, Oreti and Omaui beaches, mountains, the catlins, educational and very interesting signs, great views of the area; you can see from the bottom of Fjordland through invercargill, Stewart and the other islands, all the way to the Catlins off to the east. My second time, and well worth it. Easy to find, as you enter Bluff and you see the Eagle Hotel on the right it’ll be a right turn onto the next road.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mgreaney2018
Wellington, New Zealand90 contributions
Nov 2020
I loved the well planned spiral walkway to the look out with information boards on the way up. Beautiful vegetation and stunning views from the top. It was a clear blue sky when we were there and we seemed to be able to see forever.
Written 13 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,611 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Great views over to Stewart Island. We started off at the sign and did the big loop. Beautiful views from this point. Walk 30 seconds down the path down to the gun sites. If you get lucky a robin will follow you.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kestonr2018
Wellington, New Zealand278 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
We had a great walk up Bluff Hill a few days ago. You would need to pick your weather with this one I think, but if like us you strike it lucky I would really encourage you to do more in Bluff than drive to Sterling Point and take the obligatory few photos of the signpost and view of the eastern portion of Stewart Island you can see at the lookout a few steps from the signpost.
For one thing, you can see a lot more of Stewart Island from the top and around the point.
We went up the walkway beside the restaurant to the gun emplacements. We then took the Topuni Track to the top. The initial part of the track to the gun emplacements is relatively steep. It then flattens out a bit before taking you up three sections of the hill, each interspersed with flatter parts of the track. The final section, as someone else has said, ends with quite a few stairs. Once you hit these you are almost there. At the top, walk around the carpark until you see the entry to the circular walkway up to the lookout point.
On the way down we took the Millennium Track to Lookout Point, and we then walked around Fouveaux Walkway back to Sterling Point. All up the walk was just over 8km, with a climb of just over 290 metres in total and took us just under three hours with quite a long lunch stop included at the top. The climb appeared to be much more gentle in the direction we travelled.
The walk is very varied. Near the bottom there are the gun emplacements and Thee are accompanied by informative information boards on the history of the area which also illustrate the regrowth of the Bush which has occurred. Further up and at the higher levels on the way down you walk in southern rata forest. In January the ground was red with their flowers in many places, which was awesome. As you get further down the Millennium Track the vegetation turns to flax. I would disagree with one other poster about the view from the top. I think it is spectacular. Bluff Hill is the highest point for miles around. You can see out to Stewart Island and surrounding islands (which many don’t even realise exist), right around to the South Island’s actual most southern point which is Slope Point in the east. You can also see west towards Fiordland. The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is in the view, but most New Zealanders will be aware that this, possibly soon to be historic, site is the largest user of electricity in the country and its huge role in Southland’s economy and was also instrumental in the hydro developments you will see north west of Invercargill at Manapouri. The beach running along the front of it is also long and beautiful.
If you get a good day, definitely check this out. You can drive to the top but we found a walk was much more satisfying!
For one thing, you can see a lot more of Stewart Island from the top and around the point.
We went up the walkway beside the restaurant to the gun emplacements. We then took the Topuni Track to the top. The initial part of the track to the gun emplacements is relatively steep. It then flattens out a bit before taking you up three sections of the hill, each interspersed with flatter parts of the track. The final section, as someone else has said, ends with quite a few stairs. Once you hit these you are almost there. At the top, walk around the carpark until you see the entry to the circular walkway up to the lookout point.
On the way down we took the Millennium Track to Lookout Point, and we then walked around Fouveaux Walkway back to Sterling Point. All up the walk was just over 8km, with a climb of just over 290 metres in total and took us just under three hours with quite a long lunch stop included at the top. The climb appeared to be much more gentle in the direction we travelled.
The walk is very varied. Near the bottom there are the gun emplacements and Thee are accompanied by informative information boards on the history of the area which also illustrate the regrowth of the Bush which has occurred. Further up and at the higher levels on the way down you walk in southern rata forest. In January the ground was red with their flowers in many places, which was awesome. As you get further down the Millennium Track the vegetation turns to flax. I would disagree with one other poster about the view from the top. I think it is spectacular. Bluff Hill is the highest point for miles around. You can see out to Stewart Island and surrounding islands (which many don’t even realise exist), right around to the South Island’s actual most southern point which is Slope Point in the east. You can also see west towards Fiordland. The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is in the view, but most New Zealanders will be aware that this, possibly soon to be historic, site is the largest user of electricity in the country and its huge role in Southland’s economy and was also instrumental in the hydro developments you will see north west of Invercargill at Manapouri. The beach running along the front of it is also long and beautiful.
If you get a good day, definitely check this out. You can drive to the top but we found a walk was much more satisfying!
Written 16 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken H
Ipswich, UK1,079 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Well worth having a look if you're in the area. Easy drive up and parking at the top or walk up for a good workout. Great views over Bluff and, on a nice day, out to Stuart Island (See pics). Hold on to your hat tho' as it blows a goodun' up there.
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean Rings
8 contributions
Nov 2022
We had a beautiful bush walk through the glory track while in Bluff. It was indeed glorious and the track was so well maintained. We then decided to drive up to the top of the hill to see the view. The views were absolutely amazing and the information panels were an added bonus.
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob_1950_New_Zealand
Wellington, New Zealand93 contributions
Jan 2020
The view was excellent.
The upgrades to the lookout are well done.
Was a bit of a grey day, but would be amazing on a clear day.
The upgrades to the lookout are well done.
Was a bit of a grey day, but would be amazing on a clear day.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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