Stewart Island Ferry Services

From Invercargill to bluff takes around 30 minutes. From Queenstown to Bluff by car takes around 3 hrs 5 mins and from Dunedin approximately 3 hrs 30 minutes.  For more information refer to our Driving Times webpage.

Yes, day and overnight vehicle parking is located adjacent to the Bluff Visitor Terminal (extra cost) for visitors taking the ferry to Stewart Island.  Parking is available for cars, campervans, bicycles, motorcycles, boat trailers and coaches.  This is an airport-style parking facility, so you collect a ticket on entry and pay when you leave.  Vehicle parking cannot be booked in advance.

For visitors travelling on the Stewart Island Ferry Service, you are required to check in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time (to allow for luggage loading, etc). The check in and boarding gates are closed 10 minutes prior to scheduled ferry departure. For all our cruises and tours, check in is required 20 minutes prior to the schedule departure.

No, we only carry passengers and light freight on the ferry services between Bluff and Stewart Island. Rental cars, minivan and E-bikes are available for hire from our Oban Visitor Centre. Visit our Stewart Island Rentals page for further information.

Yes, we offer coach transfers between Invercargill and Bluff (extra cost). The Invercargill – Bluff coach service operates for each ferry departure and arrival. Pick-ups and drop-offs are available from several Invercargill accommodation properties, the Airport, and from the city centre outside Tuatara Backpackers.

We operate a coach transfer service from Invercargill to Bluff, connecting with each ferry sailing. If you need to be collected or dropped off at Invercargill Airport, please let us know at the time of your booking.

Stewart Island Experience's vessels are specially designed to operate on Foveaux Strait. We are committed to providing visitors with a safe and comfortable crossing. If, on rare occasions, a scheduled departure is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, visitors will be rebooked onto a later trip or refunded in full. Please ensure your contact details are provided at the time of booking so that we can contact you to advise of any delays or cancellations.

Here's a few handy hints to help motion sickness: Ginger is known to contain properties to alleviate nausea. It is available in a number of different forms - from tablets, powder and capsules, which are sold at pharmacies and supermarkets. These need to be taken before your trip, sometimes a few hours before travelling. Other recommendations to reduce motion sickness include not travelling on an empty stomach, as gastric juices can promote nausea. Whilst on the ferry, if possible, sit outside on the back deck to breathe fresh air. Look out to the horizon, rather than looking at the boat's movement in the water.

There is an ATM/money machine in Stewart Islands "4 Square" shop however, it is only possible to withdraw cash with a NZ bank card.
You can purchase your ferry tickets at the Bluff Visitor Terminal using both EFTPOS and Credit Cards.
The nearest bank is located at Invercargill.

Yes, most places on Stewart Island have EFTPOS and credit card facilities. There is an ATM/money machine at the "4 Square" shop on Stewart Island however it is only possible to withdraw cash with a NZ bank card. There are no banks on the island itself and the nearest bank is located at Invercargill.

Yes, there is a general grocery store, cafés and restaurants and a Kai cart (take-aways in summer only).

There are a huge range of activities available on Stewart Island, from kayaking, fishing trips, golf, walking tracks and more. To find out more information and to make bookings, we operate the Oban Visitor Centre. The Department of Conservation (DoC) also operates a Visitor Information Centre and can provide more information on walking tracks and activities.

Yes, there are many activities you can fit into one day on Stewart Island. Ask our reservations team for suggested itineraries.

At present, we are unable to offer wheelchair access. Please contact us to discuss your options

All prices and transactions on the RealNZ website are in New Zealand dollars (NZD).  This is specified on the Terms & Conditions page.

Our staff are trained to deal with incidents and in case of an emergency you should listen to their instructions. We have a portable defibrillator on each of our overnight cruise boats (Milford Mariner, Milford Wanderer and Fiordland Navigator).

In addition to this we also have portable defibrillators at the following locations:

• Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
• RealNZ Visitor Centre, Manapouri
• Cavern House (Te Anau Glowworm Caves)
• Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, Walter Peak
• TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship
• Stewart Island Ferry (Bluff - Oban - Bluff)

If your travel plans are disrupted by COVID-19, our standard cancellation policy applies. This includes flexible cancellation options designed to accommodate unexpected changes. To ensure you are fully covered for any unforeseen circumstances, we strongly encourage you to obtain travel insurance. Travel insurance can help cover any costs incurred from having to cancel or reschedule your trip due to COVID-19, giving you peace of mind.

For more details on our cancellation policy and the specific terms and conditions, please refer to our Terms and conditions page or contact our customer service team.