M/V Arahura - Interislander Ferry, Wellington to Picton

[northwesterner]

In December 2013, I spent about three weeks on vacation in New Zealand. I did a classic north to south itinerary, flying into Auckland and out (to Sydney for a few days) from Queenstown on the south island. To get between islands, I booked passage on the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton. This can be a notoriously rough crossing, but I picked a perfect, clear afternoon for the trip. 

Loading in Wellington. No bow doors, so traffic must back on.



M/V Aratere anchored in Wellington Harbor. She lost one of her props a few weeks previous to this photo.



Pulling away from the berth in Wellington.





Sea Princess port of call in Wellington. Pretty sure I used to see her in Alaska (along with her sisters the Dawn Princess and Sun Princess)



M/V Kaitaki approaching Wellington. This is the newest Interislander ferry. 


Starboard side outside passenger space on the upper passenger deck.


Less security to access the bridge than on Washington State Ferries...


Life ring shot.


Just enough room for a photographer to squeeze in.


Port side upper passenger deck.


Under the lifeboats.


This seating is open to the stern but otherwise enclosed



Heading forward on the upper passenger deck.


Forward observation lounge.


Forward observation lounge and cafe.


Lower passenger level seating.



Summertime Christmas is weird


Entering the beautiful Marlborough Sounds








Love the lifeboat shots...








The BlueBridge ferry Straitsman in Picton Harbor


Picton Harbor



Overall, it was a great trip, and I couldn't have asked for a better day to be out on the water.

[Scott]

Can't say I have a huge desire to travel the world, but New Zealand is one place I think I'd love to visit. Seems like it's almost the perfect place to live. In the middle of winter (Vancouver winter... yes I'm a wimp by Canadian standards) when it's freezing for 2 weeks in a row, I joke with my wife where could we live in the world where it's 20 degrees all year round with similar living standards to us. One of the few places I've found that come close is northern New Zealand/Auckland. Looks like a beautiful ferry ride there too. Too bad it's so far away!


- John H