Bluff Heritage Day On Sunday

Sunday is the day when one of Southland’s most historic towns, Bluff, will play their part in Southland Heritage Month.

It is entirely appropriate that Bluff is a part of the month as the nation’s oldest permanently settled European township. Having been established in 1824 the town is rapidly approaching a hugely significant milestone of 200 years in 2024.

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Bluff Heritage Day will take place on Sunday 15 March from 10.00am until 2.00pm with a central hub at the Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bradshaw Street, Bluff.
Those wishing to enjoy Bluff’s heritage sites can pick up information and brochures to allow them to visit all the attractions on display, most of which are already part of Bluff’s Heritage Trail.

Also at the Marae there will be guest speakers, light musical entertainment and refreshments. One of the speakers is Dr Michael Stevens who has been involved in a three year research project on Bluff supported by the Marsden Fund. Dr Stevens will also speak on the subject of ‘The Maori House At Bluff’ at the Marae on Saturday 14 March from 2pm to 4pm.

Other attractions highlighted on the day include Stirling Point, the Bluff Gunpit Coastal Defence Camp off Gunpit Road, the historic brick oven at 236 Marine Parade and the War Memorial, also on Marine Parade.
The BayView Hotel, the Old Town Wharf and Tide Gauge Building, the Club Hotel, ex-Post Office and the Memorial Grove at the beginning of the ascent to Bluff Hill are also included as is the radar station at the summit of Bluff Hill, historic homesteads at 84 Foyle Street and 90 Bann Street and the J G Ward Store Building on Gore Street. The Old Bluff Cemetery on Lagan Street and the statue of Sir Joseph Ward near the entrance to the town feature as does the Bluff Maritime Museum and the Oyster boat Monica II which is also the venue where Lloyd Esler will speak at 10.30am. Finally the Greenpoint Walkway and Greenhills Church round off a tour of some of our provinces most intriguing heritage sites.

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