Bluff Hill/Motupōhue Scenic Reserve
Image: Phil Melgren | DOC

Kiwi Guardians at The Bluff/Motupōhue

Introduction

The Bluff/Motupōhue is a sacred, Topuni site for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. It's one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand, with Europeans having a continuous habitation from 1824. Māori have been living at Bluff for much longer.

Highlights

  • Great walking tracks including Bluff Hill Lookout give stunning 360 degree views around the coast and Southland.
  • Rich native bush which has been managed for predator control by The Bluff/Motupōhue Environment Trust. The number of predators have been so well controlled that in March 2017 South Island robin were reintroduced into the Bluff Hill Scenic Reserve.
  • During World War II Bluff Hill had a coastal defence gun pit constructed on it - it can be viewed on Bluff Hill today.

Get ready

Download The Bluff/Motupōhue adventure map (PDF, 4,108K) and check out what you can do.

Go and explore

Look out for the Guardian Post when you get there. On it you'll find a special code word - write it down.

Getting there

Drive from Invercargill to Bluff on State Highway 1. The drive takes approximately 30 minutes between Invercargill and Bluff. Head through Bluff to Stirling Point. 

Claim your reward

Tell us The Bluff/Motupōhue code word to receive a Kiwi Guardians certificate and medal for this adventure.

Put the medal on your back pack or pencil case to show everyone the adventure you've had.

Each Kiwi Guardians place has a different medal - see how many you can collect.

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