Stirling Point
Southland
Stirling Point is a prominent landmark located at the southern tip of Bluff, a suburb of Invercargill in Southland, New Zealand. It is renowned as the southern terminus of both State Highway 1 and the Te Araroa Trail, which span the entire length of the country. The site is best known for its iconic signpost featuring multiple directional signs pointing to various global destinations, making it one of the most photographed attractions in the region. This signpost was first erected around 1960 and originally had six wooden destination blades including Dog Island, Ruapuke Island, Wellington, London, and the South Pole. Due to repeated vandalism, the signpost was later replaced with a metal post supporting twelve destination blades. Stirling Point also features an anchor chain sculpture replicating one found on Stewart Island, symbolizing the area's maritime heritage. The point is named after Captain William Stirling, who operated a whaling station here from 1836 to 1844 and later took ownership of the site. Administratively, Bluff is part of Invercargill City, and the signpost includes directions to Invercargill’s sister cities, although some relationships have changed over time. In 2018, the signpost was updated to correct errors in distances and coordinates and to reflect changes in sister city partnerships. Stirling Point remains a symbolic gateway to the southernmost reaches of New Zealand, attracting visitors interested in geography, history, and scenic coastal views.
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Tip: The best time to visit Stirling Point is during daylight hours when the signpost and coastal views are most visible and photogenic. Visitors should allow time to explore the nearby harbor and enjoy the maritime atmosphere of Bluff. While there is no need for advance ticket purchase as it is an open public landmark, checking the weather forecast is recommended due to often windy conditions. Visitors may find it rewarding to pair this visit with a trip to nearby Stewart Island or to explore local seafood offerings in Bluff. There are no specific discounts or reservations required for Stirling Point.
Interesting facts
- •Stirling Point marks the southern end of both State Highway 1 and the Te Araroa Trail, which run the full length of New Zealand.
- •The original signpost was wooden and had six destination blades; it was replaced with a metal post due to vandalism and now holds twelve blades.
- •The signpost includes directions to Invercargill’s sister cities, reflecting international relationships.
- •The anchor chain sculpture at Stirling Point replicates a similar sculpture found on Stewart Island.
- •In 2017, a Scottish tourist identified errors in the signpost's distances and coordinates, leading to official corrections in 2018.
History
Stirling Point is named after Captain William Stirling, who established a whaling station in the area between 1836 and 1844, eventually acquiring ownership of the site.
The landmark signpost was first installed around 1960 with six wooden directional signs.
Over time, due to vandalism and updates, the wooden signpost was replaced with a more durable metal structure bearing twelve destination blades.
Sister city affiliations have influenced the destinations displayed, with changes occurring in the 1990s and 2010s, including the removal of Hobart and addition of Kumagaya and Suqian.
In 2018, the signpost underwent corrections to fix previous errors in distances and coordinates, enhancing its accuracy for visitors.
