Sterling Point - Bluff, New Zealand
Posted by: 
BruceS
S 46° 36.795 E 168° 21.459
59G E 297672 N 4834420
Marker giving history of the Sterling Point area of Bluff, New Zealand.
Waymark Code: WMG7DY
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 01/24/2013
Views: 4
Text of sign:
Bluff Heritage Trail
Stirling Point
Named after Captain William Stirling who established a whaling station for Johnny Jones in 1836.
Standing like a sentinel at the entrance to the harbour is the Stirling Point pilot station built in 1912. The station was de-manned on 1st August 1986. Prior to this a signal mast with crosstree was erected and flew flags advising the waiting ships of weather and tidal conditions.
Four ships "Scotia" (1864), "Pelham" and "Maid of Otago" (1886) and "Okta" (1913), ended their days on Pelham Rock to the east of the Stirling Point pilot station.
The world famous Stirling Point signpost attracts many thousands of visitors each year. It was originally built of timber c1960, with six direction arms.
Following repeated vandalism it was replaced in metal and cemented in place. Today's version gives directions to twelve locations including Invercargill's sister city Kumagaya, Japan.
Get your Bluff Heritage Trail brochure from selected business outlets in Bluff. Follow this half-day trail of 17 sites and learn about the interesting past of the earliest, permanently settled, European town in New Zealand.