The ferry was big, has a number of cafes, lounges and front facing seats so you can see where you're going. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage does not claim any responsibility for the contents or copyright status of the clip. The larger the vehicle, the more your crossing will cost. COVID-19 Alert Level 2 safety measures are now in operation. ... All reviews south island cook strait marlborough sounds queen charlotte sound ferry crossing rental car inter islander top deck great trip foot … all passengers were warned before hand that it was going to be a rough sailing, they could get of if they wanted but nobody did....so they must of like the sailing i guess. New issues of this forecast are made available on this site at or before: 4:45am, 1pm, … When the Cook Strait ferry does have a rough crossing, it is the stretch immediately outside the Wellington harbour that gets the worst of it. Comments will be reviewed prior to posting. With the hills of Marlborough surrounding you and the sheltered waters calm and placid, sailing through the Marlborough Sounds feels more like cruising along a large river. Although it was a great achievement, the early European settlers hadn't appreciated how the low sea mists and fogs would render it useless. Also lost was the ship's tug unit, which was attached to the trailers. Click on More for information about the cookies on our site and what you can do to opt out. To get the maximum enjoyment from your Cook Strait crossing, it is important that you choose a Cook Strait ferry that best suits your needs. In the middle of the harbour is Matiu, or Somes Island, which is thought to be the legendary landing place of the first Polynesian settler, Kupe. It is definitely worth getting a jacket on and going to one of the ferry's outdoor viewing decks to watch this unfold. Five passenger and car ferries (one also carrying rail wagons) from two operators ply the 92 km (57 mi), 3.5-hour route across Cook Strait between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. been a while now. Can you tell us more about the information on this page? Twinkling in the distance on the north side of the harbour is Petone, where New Zealand's first European settlers landed their ships. Alternatively, grab a cold beer or wine from the bar and then go outside immediately! The Cook Strait ferries provide the essential "floating bridge" between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The second advantage the Picton ferry has over the Wellington ferry is that the views start before the ship has left dock. Video of a rough crossing of Cook Strait i worked on that ship the suilven in port. To find the best Cook Strait ferry for you, we recommend you read our Cook Strait ferry comparisons page. Shortly after these, the Picton to Wellington ferry will turn and head north towards the end of the Tory Channel. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. On a fine, calm day ‘Cruising on the Interislander’ can be like a luxury Mediterranean cruise. While the journey on the Cook Strait ferry is a beautiful one, rain or sun, … In 1994 Wellington’s harbourmaster imposed speed restrictions to reduce ferry wash and protect ships berthed at Aotea Quay. Where did our favourite NZ ferry come from? When the Cook Strait ferry does have a rough crossing, it is the stretch immediately outside the Wellington harbour that gets the worst of it. it was waitangi day about 2002? A … Sailing out of the Tory Channel is an event you should definitely be outside for. The Cook Strait ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton is known as one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world and is rated as a New Zealand must-do experience. And how has it got to where it is today? ... How rough are the waters in the Cook Strait on the ferry ride between islands? When it comes to travelling New Zealand you can fly or take the ferry. The best time to cross the Cook Strait is in the late afternoon or early evening when you can watch the sun sink slowly behind the hills of Marlborough. If you continue, we'll take it you are OK with this. The driver must be available during the voyage to provide care during the crossing. Described by many as one of the world’s most scenic ferry journeys, here's our guide on those unmissable sights from Wellington to Picton. When the Cook Strait weather is good, catching the inter-island ferry is a beautiful experience. Things were worse on the other side of Cook Strait where Sounds residents … Commercial re-use may be allowed on request. Thus began my “ferry fascination” With all of the furore about the wake of the fast ferry I decided to measure it. Over twenty species of whales have also been spotted in Cook Strait waters and around 300 humpbacks migrate through the Cook Strait during winter. The strait was first discovered by the Europeans when Captain James Cook sailed through it in 1770. Finding yourself a position on one of the outdoor viewing decks as soon as you board the ship is highly recommended. Perhaps you have a related experience you would like to share? and the weather was beautiful & fine clear blue sky until it got out into heads. Passengers crossing the Cook Strait this morning are recovering from a horror trip, which saw luggage flying and people vomiting from the rough seas. The ferries take about 3 hours approximately to cross the Cook Strait, depending on weather. Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries: A Rough Crossing with Loads of Comfort - See 697 traveller reviews, 423 candid photos, and great deals for Wellington, New Zealand, at Tripadvisor. The exit to the Cook Strait is invisible as the ship travels along the Tory Channel and it seems as though the ship is sailing into a dead-end. There may be variations between the land and maritime regulations, but whenever DG's are loaded on to a Cook Strait ferry the IMDG Code requirements must be fully satisfied. This sheltered stretch of water is spectacularly scenic and has inspired many journalists to name the Interislander as "one of the most scenic ferry rides in the world". ... During the crossing. This is also why the Interislander Cook Strait ferry is one of the top things to do in Wellington on Tripadvisor! If anything, a bit of rough weather adds to drama of this untamed inter-island passage. If you are wondering which is better, then here’s five reasons why the ferry is the answer! And if you can take your eyes off the views, kick back with free movies, free WiFi and free activities for the kids. (Video: Jeremy Falconer/Supplied) 濫濫濫 The ferry crossing the Cook Strait today was a roller coaster ride of big swells and vomit bags. The rest of the time passengers cruise through Wellington Harbour and the sheltered Queen Charlotte Sound in Marlborough. It … Sitting on the foreshore with a picnic or having lunch outside one of the harbourside cafes on London Quay guarantees a relaxing start to the spectacular voyage through the Marlborough Sounds. Depending on the Cook Strait ferry crossing conditions, the direction and speed of the sea will affect how long the Cook Strait crossing takes. In 2009 the largest ferry operating in New Zealand waters was the 22,365-ton Cook Strait ferry Kaitaki, which could carry 1,600 passengers. video The best part is when the 2 ferries that depart from either end meet at the middle of the channel and you see how badly the other ferry gets tossed aorund by the waves and you just think to yourself, "Wow we must look just like that !? Cook Strait can also be one of the world’s roughest stretches of water. A tour of New Zealand means crossing the Cook Strait between the North Island and South Island. i worked on that ship the suilven in port. Read the full article it was waitangi day about 2002? While you have the option of flying – or even the option of skydiving (yes, skydiving) – I recommend you cross the Cook Strait with one of the two ferry operators that make the crossing each day – Interislander or Bluebridge. MetService is New Zealand’s national weather authority, providing accurate marine forecasts across NZ. The Cook Strait ferry crossing time takes 3 to 3½ hours. In these circumstances, we’ll try and get in touch with you. But there will days when we sail in choppy water that is a little uncomfortable for some. You can check our website for up-to-date Interislander arrival times, departures and to find out more about receiving notifications about ferry delays. Cook Strait rail ferries. New Zealand, during November 2006 aboard the Awatere ferry from Wellington to Picton - A horror crossing of Cook Strait. Our three Interislander ferries offer quite different experiences of the Cook Strait crossing, each having strengths that suit a particular traveller. If you are on Kaitaki or Kaiarahi, then take a starboard spot (on the right-hand side of the ship). If you’re traveling with a vehicle, you’re limited to crossing the strait with a ferry. Connecting our North Island and South Island together since 1962, our Interislander ferry service is New Zealand's original Cook Strait ferry. The initial turn in to the Tory Channel is a broad 90° swing from northeast to southeast. Not all comments posted. If you are on Aratere then you can stand on the bow and watch it all unfold. Shortly after, the ship will swing 90° back to an east heading. As you approach, the jagged outcrops of the West Head and the crumpled hills of the East Head appear to be one continuous tract of land. The entrance again becomes visible quite late and the Cook Strait ferry has to swing quickly around to get into the Tory Channel. Cook Strait ferries cancelled because of large waves. Other animals you might spot include seals, penguins and albatross. i still work for … Wellington harbour, which used to be called Port Nicholson, is so big that the Wellington Picton ferry takes almost an hour to sail from the narrow entrance from the Cook Strait around to the Wellington ferry terminal on Aotea Quay. 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This site is produced by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 'Film: ferry in Cook Strait on a rough day', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/video/suilven, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-May-2017. Step aboard and let us take you on a journey through the history of the Cook Strait ferry. Get promotions, tips and travel inspiration sent straight to your inbox, Cook Strait ferry: Quick facts & comparisons, whales have also been spotted in Cook Strait waters, first European settlers landed their ships. Two lighthouses at Pencarrow Head mark the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Without a vehicle, you have the option of taking a short flight – though this is significantly more expensive than crossing with the ferry. However, there is no need to be alarmed, Interislander ferries sail through this little gap more than 3,500 times a year! been a while now. It is this hour long cruise through the Marlborough Sounds that makes the Cook Strait ferry a must-do experience for anyone visiting or living in New Zealand. When did it launch? You'll also pass some King Salmon farms midway along the Tory Channel. Cook Straight Crossing - Number One - Steve Gurney. Well, the ferry was so good, I am no longer terrified of deep water, and am looking forward to more cruising! Film: ferry in Cook Strait on a rough day. On a reasonably calm sailing you can see also see a visible line where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. After passing Allports Island and a number of huge bays on the left, the Interislander's route through the Marlborough Sounds takes a sharp right turn around Dieffenbach Point and begins its journey through the Tory Channel. This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Cook Strait weather is quite predictable and you can use www.swellmap.co.nz to get an accurate reading of the sea conditions several days before sailing. They offer sports teams, families and tourists an alternative to air travel, and provide the only way to travel by car down the length of the country. Rough weather. All non-text content is subject to specific conditions. Film: ferry in Cook Strait on a rough day. Reply. NZ Herald Passengers on the Cook Strait ferry during the southerly storm have called the crossing "the roughest" they have ever experienced. Meet the NZHistory.net.nz team. Our Cook Strait ferry timetable Camped on our narrow beach, just inside the narrow mouth of the channel, the ferries passed within a mere hundred metres of us. The old fable about the tortoise and the hare was replayed on Cook Strait for a decade from 1994 as a series of fast ferries – dubbed ‘vomit comets’ – offered travellers a quick dash across the ditch. In fact, the Interislander is famous for canceled trips due to weather and mechanical problems. It is 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, and is considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world. The strait is named after James Cook, the first European commander to sa Tell me more... Memories! In today's hurried world, the default option is squeeze on to one of the many cheap flights across the Cook Strait - which are more expensive than our cheap Cook Strait ferry fares. Our masters will allow the driver access to their animals for inspections and appropriate treatment, if circumstances allow. Turbulent strait. Even from the port at Picton, the view up the Queen Charlotte Sound is incredible. Charles on February 3, 2020 at 12:23 pm Hi Phyliis – it really depends on a day to day basis. The Interislander Cook Strait ferry takes around three-and-a-half hours to travel between New Zealand's North and South Island. The first ten minutes of the Picton ferry journey takes you to the entrance of the Grove Arm, at the end of which you'll see Anakiwa in the distance. Cook coastal marine weather forecast, outlook, situation and tides. The upper lighthouse was constructed in 1859 and was New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse. Bluebridge ferry passenger talks about the shock of witnessing a trailer unit going overboard during a wild Cook Strait crossing. The Cook Strait crossing (Raukawa Moana in Māori) is the connection between the Tasman Sea on the West, the South Pacific Ocean on the East and the North and South Islands of Aotearoa. (Video: Jeremy Falconer/Supplied) Jump to. From Wellington, the Interislander journey begins with a tour around Wellington Harbour before crossing the narrow channel between New Zealand's north and south islands, which is named the Cook Strait after Captain Cook, the English explorer who first mapped it. The strait connects the Tasman Sea on the northwest with the South Pacific Ocean on the southeast, and runs next to the capital city, Wellington. Interislander. There are no roads or homes within kilometres of the northern coastline and the hills are as wild and rugged as they were when Captain Cook first sailed through - and the Polynesians long before him. all passengers were warned before hand that it was going to be a rough sailing, they could get of if they wanted but nobody did....so they must of like the sailing i guess. Our Interislander Cook Strait ferries have stabilisers which help keep our ships steady in moderate swells. ... relishing in our achievement of a double strait crossing. 濫濫濫 The ferry crossing the Cook Strait today was a roller coaster ride of big swells and vomit bags. i also have photos of this sailing as well. I’ve had a hankering to paddle the Cook Strait since 1990. i still work for strait shipping that owned the boat. For real ‘roughers’, see this clip from YouTube.com of the rival freight ferry Suilven leaving Wellington Harbour a few years ago. As you travel into the harbour, the Eastbourne hills rise on the eastern side with the Rimutaka ranges rising behind them. Having crossed the Cook Strait, the final stretch of the Wellington Picton ferry journey is through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. There is also a good chance that you will see dolphins following the ship at some point during the Cook Strait crossing. and save 10% on fares with your bike. The exit requires yet another 90° turn, which makes the ship's course all the more dramatic. This wide timeframe is due to the nature of sailing across the sea - which is a bit like running on a slow-moving treadmill. Here the Cook Strait ferry swings right and enters the Queen Charlotte Sound. Whether you are catching the ferry from Wellington to Picton or vice-versa, the route across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds is exactly the same. However, the northbound ferry to Wellington begins in the charming harbourside town of Picton. If anything, a bit of rough weather adds to drama of this untamed inter-island passage. Regular ferry services run between Picton in the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington. It’s an absolutely stunning journey on a clear day, and while flying between the two islands may save you time, it will also result in you missing one epic ferry trip. ... Sea rough. On a beautiful summer's day, there are few capital cities that can compete with the beauty of Wellington and arriving by ship is a truly magical experience. The Cook Strait exit becomes visible quite late on and is very narrow. ... All reviews south island cook strait marlborough sounds queen charlotte sound ferry crossing rental car inter islander top deck great trip foot … Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. How to avoid seasickness on the Cook Strait Ferry. Thursday: Easing to variable 10 knots early, rising to northwest 20 knots later. The Cook Strait ferries like to pass in this section, so look out for one going the other way. There are also times when we delay or cancel sailings when it’s too unsafe to go. It was eventually replaced in 1906 by the lower lighthouse, which is still in use. Join our Bluebridge Bike Club. ... Rest assured if conditions are too rough or it's unsafe, sailing will be cancelled or delayed for another time. We had suffered a very wet and windy night in Wellington and weren't really looking forward to a rough crossing, but although the boat was healed-over at a crazy angle for most of the journey, the passengers were generally well and comfortable. It is also just a brief stroll back around the water's edge to the ferry terminal, so you can time your arrival perfectly. When the Cook Strait ferry does have a rough crossing, it is the stretch immediately outside the Wellington harbour that gets the worst of it. If anything, a bit of rough weather adds to drama of this untamed inter-island passage. These will appear as large square platforms, which the fish are bred inside. From time to time, sailings are cancelled due to bad weather, so do factor this into your travel plans. and the weather was beautiful & fine clear blue sky until it got out into heads. But on a bad day Cook Strait can be one of the world's roughest stretches of water: seasickness, dodgy food and wildcat strikes have all been part of the colourful Cook Strait ferry story. This video clip is sourced from the YouTube website. A "rollercoaster ride" across Cook Strait saw the Kaiarahi ferry almost run out of vomit bags, according to passengers. Our website uses cookies to give you the best experience and for us to analyse how you use our site. Often the crossing is idyllic, and many days are at least comfortable since only a portion of the average three-hour voyage time is spent in open water. When I boarded this boat, I was terrified of deep water, so really wasn't looking forward to a 3 hour ferry crossing in potentially rough water (the Cook Strait). Issued: 4:39am Monday 1 Mar 2021. Quite simply, you haven't seen the best of New Zealand until you've crossed the Cook Strait! Rough sea easing. It is an absolutely breathtaking ferry crossing across the Cook Strait – probably one of the best in the world and is a site within its own right. Cross Cook Strait on a Bluebridge Ferry and enjoy real Kiwi hospitality. I'm sure you are aware, if it is really rough on Cook Strait they cancel the trips. On board you'll find a full cafe-style menu. Home Despite stormy crossings, the ferries remain a linchpin of New Zealand’s transport system. You can take a campervan, car and trailer, truck or any such vehicle. We had suffered a very wet and windy night in Wellington and weren't really looking forward to a rough crossing, but although the boat was healed-over at a crazy angle for most of the journey, the passengers were generally well and comfortable. Captain Euan Dickson completed the first air crossing of Cook Strait, flying a 110-hp Le Rhone Avro from Christchurch to Upper Hutt with the first air mail between the South and North Islands. Images and media Nice deck space, and not … However, whilst those flying overhead are skimming through advertorials in their free in-flight magazine, our ferry passengers are enjoying one of the most scenic journeys in New Zealand, the Cook Strait crossing. The day I went across the water was very calm and the ride was smooth. If you are travelling on the Wellington to Picton ferry, the entrance to the Tory Channel is equally exciting.