Bluff (Māori: Motupōhue), previously known as Campbelltown and often referred to as “The Bluff”, is right at the bottom, on the southern coast of the South Island.
For decades, numerous individuals have shared accounts of witnessing ghostly apparitions and encountering unexplained phenomena at the historic Bay View Hotel situated on Gore Street within the Bluff community. These encounters have been commonly reported to occur on the hotel’s second floor.
The Bay View Hotel is a historic landmark in our town. It has a lively pub on the ground floor and charming rooms available for rent on the floors above. This establishment has been a beloved gathering place for locals for decades. It was originally built in 1892 for Joseph Metzger, a well-respected businessman of his time.
In a more recent chapter of its history, the hotel faced a period of hardship.
In 2010, the owner, who had leased the property for six years, abruptly left for Australia, leaving behind significant debts and causing the pub to go into liquidation. This unfortunate turn of events led to the building being sealed off and left dormant, presenting an empty and desolate sight in the community.
The closure of the Bay View Hotel had a profound impact on the Bluff, leaving a palpable sense of loss. Many families have forged memories and connections within the walls of the hotel, making its closure a poignant and sombre moment for the community.
On numerous occasions, the spectral figure of a man has been sighted pacing the length of the upper corridor before abruptly vanishing into one of the rooms.
Upon entering the room, the mysterious figure is nowhere to be found. Additionally, there have been reports of distinct and deliberate “tap tap tap” noises, reminiscent of hard-heeled shoes on wooden floorboards, heard during the quiet hours of the night. These enigmatic sounds persist despite the absence of any living presence in the area at the time
