Bluff and Stewart Island

Today we headed to the southernmost town of the New Zealand mainland, the seaport of Bluff. It's where one gets the ferry to Stewart Island, NZ's third largest Island.

We were early so we had an explore. Like most small towns Bluff appears to be in decline. Take my main photo, a scene of abandonment, looking like the proprietor just walked out, leaving a lot of items on the shelves. My extra looks like it was once an art deco garage, but no more. The attractive looking gent walking by improves it.

After a bumpy one hour, 30 km ferry ride across the Foveaux Strait we arrived at Stewart Island. With a population of 450, its main industries are fishing and tourism. It has a long history of Maori occupation, and intermarriage with the more recent arrival of white settlers.

Back in Invercargill now, after a great day out. Off to Queenstown tomorrow.