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Cook Strait Ferry (New Zealand)

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Cook Strait Ferry
Location Map ( geo)
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From:  Wellington
To:  Picton
Distance:  99.4 km (61.8 miles)
Location
Cook Strait, New Zealand
Current Operator
Bluebridge; Interislander
On road(s)
SH1 (New Zealand)
Crossings related to the SH1 (New Zealand)

The Cook Strait Ferry is perhaps one of New Zealand's most important transport connections, as it connects North Island and South Island together. Little surprise, then, that two operators each have two large ferries crossing the straits every day. The two companies are Bluebridge and Interislander, and while they both use neighbouring piers in Picton harbour on South Island, the Wellington termini are some distance apart. Interislander use a pier alongside the motorway at Kaiwharawhaura, while Bluebridge are further south at Waterloo Quay near the city centre.

The Crossing

To say that this crossing is one of the most scenic ferry trips in the world would not be an understatement. The vast harbour at Wellington is a beautiful place with Wellington, its suburbs and neighbouring towns spread around the western side in a huge arc, the sunlight sparkling on tower blocks and dancing on the water. The eastern side of the harbour is much greener, and as the ships pass near the shore there is a certain amount of wildlife spotting, whether the dolphins in the water, birds in the air, or the seals on the distant rocks. The ferries also offer a good vantage point for watching the planes take off and land at the spectacular runway on the isthmus.

Once out of the harbour, the ferries first sail south into the Pacific to clear the coast, before turning west and heading for South Island. As the haze clears, south island slowly comes in to view, while north island remains constant on the other side. The other ferries are passed on their return trips, and then the ferry enters the delightful channels that weave between straggly islands and headlands on South Island. There are few places where two ferries could safely pass in here, hence the careful scheduling, as the ferry weaves round submerged rocks and jutting headlands. It may be a slow journey, but it is one of the best boat trips in the world!

At great length, a town comes in to view ahead, but it is not the harbour, merely a small suburb of Picton. The ferry then makes one final turn around another headland to find the sheltered harbour of Picton itself, nestled amongst the forested hills, the great fuel tanks and piers looking somewhat incongruous in the surrounding landscape.

Ferries

Name IMO Operator Dates Notes
Strait Feronia 9136022 StraitShipping 2015-date
Kaiarahi 9147291 Interislander 2015-date
Straitsman 9323704 StraitShipping 2010-date
Kaitaki 9107942 Interislander 2005-date
Aratere 9174828 Interislander 1999-date





Cook Strait Ferry (New Zealand)

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