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New Zealand ferries
between the North
and South Island

When touring New Zealand, the New Zealand ferries between the North and South Island break your camper van vacation literally in two. Sooner or later (almost) everyone who rented his camper van in Auckland lines up at the ferry terminal in Wellington. Why? Because the South Island is definitely more scenic than the North Island!
The journey from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (South Island) is unbelievably beautiful; a great part of it takes you right through the Marlborough Sounds. If you don't want to miss the spectacular views this journey offers, make sure you book a daylight sailing on one of the New Zealand ferries. They are more expensive than the sailings at night, but you'll see so much more - you might even see dolphins!

The main company that runs a ferry service between Wellington and Picton, is the Interisland Line (www.interislandline.co.nz). Actually, the Interislander operates three vessels, the Arahura, Aratere and Kaitaki. The journey takes about 3 hours to complete.

There's an interactive map of the ferry route available on the website of the Interisland Line, with information about the points of interest that you'll pass. As you'll see on this map, the New Zealand ferries first head northwards on their route from the North Island to the South Island!


New Zealand ferries — Ferry terminals

new zealand ferries
The terminals of the New Zealand ferries are easy to find. The Interislander Ferry Terminal in Wellington is located on Aotea Quay beside the motorway on State Highway One. When your depart is early in the morning, spend the night at the Top 10 Hutt Park Holiday Park in Lower Hutt (see our page about New Zealand campsites. This campsite is situated not too far from the ferry terminal. The Lynx Terminal is located in down town Wellington, on Waterloo Quay. The Interislander website offers detailed maps of the location of both terminals.

Picton, on the South Island, is so small you cannot really miss the ferry terminals.


New Zealand ferries — Timetables 2006/2007

Wellington to Picton

DepartArrive
1.55am4.55am
6.00am9.00am
8.25am11.35am
10.35am1.35pm
2.00pm5.00pm
6.15pm9.15pm

Picton to Wellington

DepartArrive
5.45am9.00am
10.001.00pm
1.15pm4.25pm
2.25pm5.25pm
6.00pm9.00pm
10.05pm1.05am


New Zealand ferries — Fares & bookings

The Interisland Line offers three different fare types to choose from: Easy Change, Saver Change and Ultra Saver.

  • The most flexible ticket (but also the most expensive) is the Easy Change. This is the best option when you're travelling by camper van. You can book these tickets online, you're allowed to make changes until departure time, and the tickets are fully refundable if you wish to cancel your journey. Book well in advance when you're travelling during peak season and prefer daylight sailings. Online booking is possible, as are bookings by telephone (+64-4-498-3303). Make sure you have at hand: travel dates and times, number of passengers, make, model and dimensions of your camper van, and credit card details.
  • When you are spending more than just a few weeks in New Zealand, the Saver Change and the Ultra Saver are a cheaper option. Both can only be purchased in New Zealand, and have to be booked well in advance. There is no refund possibility for the Ultra Saver, and Saver Change tickets are only refunded for 50% when you have to cancel your journey.

New Zealand Ferries — Tips

  1. The sailing from Wellington to Picton, across Cook Strait, can be a rough one. Eat a small piece of raw ginger root as a precaution; we guarantee it works wonders against sea sickness!
  2. When it's already (or still) dark when you arrive in Picton, don't rush off immediately in the direction of Nelson. The first part of it, The Queen Charlotte Drive (between Picton and Havelock), is one of the most scenic routes you'll follow on your New Zealand camper van vacation!.
  3. There are more New Zealand ferries operating between the North and the South Island than just the ones from the Interisland Line. Another one is Strait Shipping. Check out their website for their timetable and fares.
  4. See the Cook Strait Ferry Crossings page on the Wilderness website for more information.

Bon voyage!

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