Experience the Best of New Zealand: Your Guide to Ferry Travel

If your New Zealand road trip includes checking out both the North and South Islands, your journey will include more than just travelling by road - you'll be taking a 100 kilometre ferry ride across Cook Strait that separates the two islands as well.

New Zealand Frontiers is an accredited agent for the Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries, who operate up to four daily departures each way between Wellington, at the bottom of the North Island, and Picton at the top of the South Island. Should your itinerary require ferry travel, reservations can be secured to meet your requirements at a cost of $NZD550 each way for your motorhome with two adults - fully transferable and refundable (without amendment fees or penalty but subject to availability) and representing a saving of 8% on off peak, low season flexible rates and as much as 35% on peak season refundable rates. Add $NZD50 each way per additional person if travelling with children.

If your travel plans do not include a fixed date for crossing between the islands, or should the flexibility just suit you better, you can also make your own reservations directly with Bluebridge or the Interislander using a free phone number during your travels, right up to the day of departure. However those making non agency bookings should be aware that fleet management issues currently affecting ferry services between the North and South Islands (forecast to last until the delayed arrival of new vessels in 2029) can result in difficulties securing bookings during peak times and in lengthy rescheduling delays resulting from weather disruptions.

To ensure travelling on first choice dates and at preferred times when making your own bookings, it is recommended that you secure ferry arrangements as early as possible - especially during the peak travel season of November to March when fares can cost more than $NZD800 each way for your motorhome with two passengers.

Vehicle check in time is one hour before your sailing. The superb Mercedes-Benz User Experience GPS navigation system fitted to all New Zealand Frontiers motorhomes will happily take you directly to the ferry terminals - which are also well signposted from Wellington's motorway and in the idyllic town of Picton if you prefer navigating using the excellent atlases supplied with each vehicle.

While the closest points between the North and South Islands are only 23km apart, your total ferry journey covers 96km. Crossings take approximately 3 hours. Only half of the route is in Cook Strait, with the remaining time spent in the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington Harbour. Make sure you take your camera with you upon parking on-board as the scenery is spectacular. Views en-route range from Wellington's skyline to distant mountain ranges and deep, forested fiords. You'll even pass through an area with eight-knot tidal currents. Bluebridge's comfortable vessels carry up to 650 passengers each and feature bars, cafes and great viewing decks.

Due to the expense of retrieving vehicles, New Zealand Frontiers does not accept rentals that require vehicle drop off in one port and pick up in the other.

• New Zealand Frontiers is an accredited agent for the Bluebridge ferry company and can obtain fully flexible ferry bookings with your motorhome reservation at a cost of $NZD550 each way. This discounted rate includes your two-berth motorhome and two persons.

• To benefit from this discounted ferry fare you must select preferred dates and times when completing the New Zealand Frontiers reservation form

• You can change bookings later without penalty, including upon discussing your itinerary with your New Zealand Frontiers representative at time of taking delivery of your vehicle or by phone during your motorhome vacation

• Up to four departure times each day to choose from

• The MBUX GPS navigation system in your motorhome will take you directly to the ferry terminal

• Don't forget to take your camera with you when you park your vehicle on board the ferry - the scenery is spectacular!