Getting from North to South: Crossing the Cook Strait

I wrote this in 2016 or 2017 during the two years I lived in New Zealand. Some details — prices, hours, what’s open — may have changed, but the experience and my love for this place haven’t.

New Zealand’s North and South Islands are separated by a stretch of water called the Cook Strait. The strait can get rough at times and crossing can sometimes be an adventure — in a good way and occasionally in a less good way.

If you want to skip the crossing entirely, flights between Wellington on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island are reasonably priced — check current fares as prices vary by season. If you want to take your car with you though, the ferry is the way to go.

The ferry leaves from Wellington and arrives in the town of Picton on the South Island. The trip takes about three hours. You have two companies to choose from — the Interislander and Bluebridge. I don’t think there is that much difference in which one you take but book ahead if you are travelling during the summer months as the ferries fill up. Check current pricing on both websites as costs vary significantly by season and vehicle size.

I’ve only been to the South Island once so far — we drove down from Auckland with our kayak on top of the car and towing a small trailer. We took Bluebridge and the crossing was smooth and uneventful. Most of them are. Getting to the ferry was easy, signs were well marked and the staff were really helpful.

That said, the Cook Strait has earned its reputation. Sailings are cancelled when weather is deemed too risky and both ferries have had a string of mechanical issues in recent years — power losses, delays, and one running aground in 2024. Before you travel it’s worth checking the Interislander service alerts and Bluebridge for any disruptions, especially in winter. Both operators are in the middle of fleet renewal — Bluebridge has a newer vessel called the Livia and Interislander’s aging fleet is due for replacement by 2029.

We’ve had some wild weather hit over the years and sailings were cancelled for three days in a row with snow and high swells in Wellington. Not ideal but part of the adventure of traveling in New Zealand.

The video below shows one of the rougher crossings — it’s old footage from 2006 but gives you a sense of what the strait can do when it decides to misbehave.