New Zealand ferry routes & schedules — Cook Strait & islands

In New Zealand the ferry is not a novelty — it is the national road between the islands. The country's ferry world has two poles: the Cook Strait crossing that stitches the North and South Islands together, and Auckland's busy Hauraki Gulf network fanning out to Waiheke, Devonport and beyond. A handful of vehicle ferries also serve the Gulf's larger islands.

Cook Strait — the great crossing

The Wellington–Picton crossing is one of the world's most scenic ferry journeys, running about 3.5 hours across Cook Strait and threading through the Marlborough Sounds on the South Island approach. Two operators share it: Interislander, the KiwiRail-owned service that carries rail freight, cars and passengers, and Bluebridge (StraitNZ). Both take vehicles and campervans, making the ferry the key link for anyone driving the length of New Zealand. Interislander now runs a two-ship fleet after the Aratere was retired in August 2025, with new rail-enabled ships on order.

Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf

Fullers360 operates Auckland's commuter and tourist ferries across the Hauraki Gulf from the downtown ferry terminal: Waiheke Island (about 40 minutes, for its vineyards and beaches), the historic naval suburb of Devonport (a 12-minute hop), and volcanic Rangitoto Island for hiking the summit. These run frequently throughout the day and are integrated with Auckland's AT HOP transit card.

Vehicle ferries to the Gulf islands

SeaLink runs the vehicle ferries of the upper North Island, most notably the long haul from Auckland to Great Barrier Island (around 4.5 hours), plus car services to Waiheke — the practical choice for anyone bringing a vehicle to the Gulf's larger islands, which have no bridge connection to the mainland.

Seasons and booking

New Zealand's summer (December–February) is peak season, and vehicle space on the Cook Strait ferries sells out over the Christmas–New Year holidays and Easter — book campervan and car crossings well in advance. The ferries run year-round; Cook Strait sailings can be delayed by strong winds and swell, so allow buffer time if you have onward travel. Auckland's Waiheke and Devonport ferries run daily, all year.

Visa and entry

Most short-stay visitors from visa-waiver countries must obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before arriving — around NZD 17 via the app or NZD 23 online — plus the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD 100. Australian citizens are exempt and need neither. Travellers whose nationality is not on the visa-waiver list, including Turkish passport holders, must instead apply for a Visitor Visa in advance. Arrange your NZeTA or visa before you travel.