The Cook Strait ferry offers a safe and convenient passage across Cook Strait — between Picton in the South Island and Wellington in the North Island.
There are several daily sailings in both directions with the trip taking about three and a half hours. Two companies operate ferries across Cook Strait that easily take vehicles — Interislander and Bluebridge.
If you want to see both the North and South Islands by motorhome, you’ll need to take your motorhome hire across on the ferry. Unlike rental cars, you can’t drop off the car in Wellington and pick up another in Picton — or vice versa.
A ferry ride across Cook Strait is a memorable highlight of any New Zealand motorhome adventure. You’ll enjoy a relaxing experience with stunning scenery — as the journey is often described as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.
For everything you need to know about this voyage, read our article about travelling on the New Zealand inter island ferry with a motorhome.
Remember that you'll often save money if you decide to pick up your motorhome rental in the South Island and drop it off in the North.
The Interislander ferries offer TV lounges, cafés, bars and even playgrounds. There are viewing decks to watch the stunning scenery as it passes and you might even see dolphins and other sea life on the trip.
Each Interislander ship features a Plus Lounge — for those aged 18 and over. It offers the most comfortable and relaxing way to cross Cook Strait.
Your pass to the Plus Lounge includes:
You can add a Plus Lounge pass when you book your tickets with us — or online through my booking page when you're ready.
The Bluebridge ferries offer lounges, cafés, lounge bars and even a movie lounge (on one of their two ferries). Workstations and family rooms are also available — plus viewing decks to see the Sounds pass by and to watch birdlife chasing the ferry.
Make life easy and let us take care of booking the ferry for you. Wilderness is an agent for both the Interislander and Bluebridge ferries so you can purchase your ferry tickets through us.
As soon as you let us know your preferred sailing date and time, we'll book the tickets for you. Availability may be affected during the summer months so it pays to book early to get the date you want.
If your itinerary changes while you’re on the road, your tickets can be changed at no extra cost up to 24 hours before you’re booked to sail — subject to availability when you rebook.
*See the full Interislander terms and conditions or Bluebridge terms and conditions of travel.
The Cook Strait ferry offers a safe and convenient passage across Cook Strait — between Picton in the South Island and Wellington in the North Island.
There are several daily sailings in both directions with the trip taking about three and a half hours. Two companies operate ferries across Cook Strait that easily take vehicles — Interislander and Bluebridge.
If you want to see both the North and South Islands by motorhome, you’ll need to take your motorhome hire across on the ferry. Unlike rental cars, you can’t drop off the car in Wellington and pick up another in Picton — or vice versa.
A ferry ride across Cook Strait is a memorable highlight of any New Zealand motorhome adventure. You’ll enjoy a relaxing experience with stunning scenery — as the journey is often described as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.
For everything you need to know about this voyage, read our article about travelling on the New Zealand inter island ferry with a motorhome.
Remember that you'll often save money if you decide to pick up your motorhome rental in the South Island and drop it off in the North.
The Interislander ferries offer TV lounges, cafés, bars and even playgrounds. There are viewing decks to watch the stunning scenery as it passes and you might even see dolphins and other sea life on the trip.
Each Interislander ship features a Plus Lounge — for those aged 18 and over. It offers the most comfortable and relaxing way to cross Cook Strait.
Your pass to the Plus Lounge includes:
You can add a Plus Lounge pass when you book your tickets with us — or online through my booking page when you're ready.
The Bluebridge ferries offer lounges, cafés, lounge bars and even a movie lounge (on one of their two ferries). Workstations and family rooms are also available — plus viewing decks to see the Sounds pass by and to watch birdlife chasing the ferry.
