If you are planning to travel through New Zealand from North to South, one of the highlights of your trip will be crossing from the North Island to the South Island through the Queen Charlotte Sound, a beautiful sound with stunning mountains and surprisingly calm water compared to the rest of the Cook Strait.
But how do you take the ferry across the Cook Strait from the North to the South Island? First and foremost, you will have to get yourself to Wellington, and from there, you can take the ferry across to Picton via Queen Charlotte Sound.
There are a few things you need to know before you make the trip from Wellington to Picton, and you will find all your questions answered here. From which ferry to pick, to how long it takes, to where to stay and things to do in Wellington and Picton, you will find all the information you need in this travel guide.
Without further ado, let's begin with the first question you are probably asking: "Which ferry should I pick to get from Wellington to Picton? Bluebridge or Interislander?"
Bluebridge VS Interislander: Which Ferry Company to Pick?
There are two major ferry companies that charter people across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton and vice versa every day that you can choose from. They are both quite different in terms of capacity and services, so in order to decide which ferry is better for you, we will have to discuss their differences.
Interislander is an older and more reputable company than Bluebridge. The Interislander ferry price is more expensive, but they do have larger ferries at around 65 NZD with more open space and public areas. These areas have indoor and outdoor seating for you to enjoy the view. The food available on the ferry is cheaper and offers more options than Bluebridge.
The Bluebridge is a cheaper option at around 56 NZD, but their ferry is smaller than the Interislander ferries, with not a whole lot of space to wander around. The Bluebridge also runs less frequently, with only 2 ferries during the day compared to the 3 ferries offered by the Interislander.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preferences and the time you are planning to travel. If you like to be on a ferry with more space for you to walk around and don't mind paying 10 NZD more than for Interislander, choose that option. If you would rather save that 10 NZD and don't mind the cramped space, go with Bluebridge.
Personally, I would go with the Interislander ferries as they run more frequently, providing more options for me. The spacious interior allowed me to actually enjoy the view of the Queen Charlotte Sound more, and larger ships always mean smoother trips. You can book your Interislander ticket via the link below.
How Much Does It Cost to Get from Wellington to Picton?
Depending on which ferry you pick, you can expect to spend around 56 to 65 NZD per person for the ferry ticket. As mentioned earlier, the Bluebridge is cheaper, with the cheapest ticket costing 56 NZD, whereas the Interislander will set you back around 65 NZD.
If you want to buy some food on the ferry, you can expect to pay around 19 NZD for a meal on the ferry. In total, you will be paying around 60 NZD for the ferry plus 19 NZD for food.
How to Get to the Ferry Terminals in Wellington and Picton?
Interislander Ferry Terminal in Wellington
The Interislander ferry terminal in Wellington is located just north of the city center of Wellington, and to get there, you will have to catch the free shuttle bus from Platform 9 at the Wellington Railway Station. The shuttle bus departs 50 minutes before each daytime sailing (8 AM - 6 PM), so be sure to get there on time.
Bluebridge Ferry Terminal in Wellington
The Bluebridge ferry terminal in Wellington is located closer to the city center than the Interislander ferry terminal, and it can easily be reached on foot. If not, you can catch a train to Wellington Railway Station, and the terminal will be right across the street.
Interislander Ferry Terminal in Picton
The Interislander ferry terminal in Picton is located just off 1 Auckland Street, right by the town center, and you can easily walk from there to your accommodation in Picton.
Bluebridge Ferry Terminal in Picton
The Bluebridge ferry terminal is located at 1 Lagoon Road, not too far from the center. You can also walk quite easily to and from the Bluebridge Ferry Terminal to your accommodation in Picton.
If you are on foot, there is a shuttle service that can pick you up at the Tourist Information Center (I-Site) in town. They will also offer a shuttle service to drop you off in Picton if you came from Wellington.
How Long Does the Ferry from Wellington to Picton Take?
The ferry across the Cook Strait takes around 3.5 hours, so you do not have to sleep overnight on the ferry. That said, there are also overnight ferries offered by both Interislander and Bluebridge if you wish, but you will have to pay 40+ NZD extra for a private cabin, and you will only be sleeping for a few hours.
I personally don't think it's worth spending overnight on the ferry. I'd rather take the ferry during the day so I can enjoy the view of the Cook Strait and the Queen Charlotte Sound.
Where to Stay in Wellington?
Where to Stay in Picton?
Things to Do in Wellington
If you are looking to stay a few days in Wellington, here are a few things you might be interested in doing:
- Hike up to the Mount Victoria Lookout.
- Learn more about the history of New Zealand at the free Te Papa Museum.
- Stroll around Wellington Botanical Garden.
- Ride the Wellington Cable Car for a nice view above the city.
- Eat your way through Hannah's Laneway.
- Go for a morning stroll at the Wellington Waterfront.
- Visit the Harborside Market.
Things to Do in Picton
If you are planning to stay a little longer in Picton before you go out and explore the beautiful nature of the South Island, here are a few things you can do:
- Hike the Snout Track to see Queen Charlotte Sound.
- See the world's oldest merchant ship at the Edwin Fox Ship Museum.
- Stroll around the Picton Marina.
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