Bluebridge- Crossing Cook Strait

Real-time

I've had quite a number of queries in the last few days with regards to our Cook Strait crossing so I thought I'd do a blog on our recent trip with Bluebridge Ferries. We crossed from Wellington to Picton on the 8am sailing last Thursday, 19 March.

We're making our way south again for winter, this time we'll be basing ourselves in Twizel in the Mackenzie District. We stayed at a very busy Plimmerton NZMCA Park for two nights while waiting for our sailing. Plimmerton is a good base to leave from, it's a 26km, 30 minute drive along the motorway (non-rush hour) to the ferry terminal.

NZMCA Members parked in the centre overnight

The NZMCA park is large and there's plenty of space for all the comings and goings as people travel up and down the country. If the parking spaces are taken up around the perimeter, you can park in the centre as long as you keep the gate and dump station clear.

Sunrise over the capitol

Our check-in was at 7am and in usual Evan's style we departed well in advance at 5:45am giving us some 'just in case' time. The 'just in case' went against us this time. As we were cruising along the near empty motorway we received a text from Bluebridge advising us that there was a 2 hour delay in departure which we later found out was due to weather conditions affecting previous sailings.

Of course this isn't a problem for those of us that have our homes on our back. We can make a hot drink, read the daily news, have breakfast (or lunch or dinner) while we wait in line.  We weren't the first in line but once we'd checked in, and being a bigger rig than most, we were directed to park at the start of Lane 1. All the other early birds and new arrivals were directed to the other side of the terminal to wait in line (see photo above).

It didn't seem too long before our ferry arrived into Wellington and the unloading began. We turned our gas bottle off (as everyone should when crossing the Strait), re-checked everything was ship-shape inside the van and then waited patiently inside the Ranger for the nod to move forward.

After the walk-on passengers had been escorted on board and several cars, smaller campervans & caravans had been loaded ahead of us, it was time for us to drive on following the excellent directions given to us by several high-viz Bluebridge crew along the way. Once in the hold everyone was turned around in the large turning bay at front of the ship and lined up facing the rear, for an easy drive off at the other end. Large stock and freight trucks had already been parked on the top deck. 

We had booked our crossing 10 days prior to sailing and had decided to book a private cabin this time which turned out to be fortuitous considering this fast changing world we're currently living in. And we were so pleased we did, at $40 a double with an ensuite toilet & shower, fresh towels and linen and free wi-fi, the cabin provided a nice little bolthole to retire to for the three and half hour journey. There are also single and family cabins available.

And as luck would have it we were in the most forward cabin, right in the centre of the ship. For me this was an excellent bonus because as a fair weather sailor, I like to see where we're going not we're we've been or even not see at all! It's just a pity there weren't little window wipers that you could turn on to wash away the salt from the previous sailings. 

Right on time (the new sailing time that is) we pulled away from Wellington and headed across the harbour. 

I left David relaxing in the cabin and checked out the facilities downstairs. Due to the recent travel restrictions there weren't too many people onboard although I suspect going by the number of motorhomes & caravans we saw later around the top of the South Island there would be a few more onboard crossing the other way, from Picton to Wellington.

Bluebridge have two ferries, the Strait Feronia which we were travelling on and the Straitsman which we pass just before we leave Wellington Harbour.

Once we are in Cook Strait I retired to our cabin, we'd had an early start and I thought I'd make the most of it and have a rest until we reach the other side. It was a relatively smooth crossing although the wind was quite strong. 

If you are at all worried about rough weather check the long range forecasts and select a day when there's either no wind (rare given that Wellington is known as the windy city) or there's a Northerly blowing, this flattens out the waves. If you are a fair weather sailor like me, then it's the Southerlies you need to watch out for. An early morning sailing can also be relatively smooth as you'll be well inside the Sounds or harbour before the afternoon sea breeze kicks in.

I moved to the front viewing area to watch as we approached the entrance to Tory Channel; East Head on Arapawa Island is on the right & West Head on the left (click to enlarge the photo & look for the small white lighthouse) is part of mainland Marlborough Sounds.

A few passengers; each group keeping a respectable distance from others- it certainly feels like there's an elephant in the room here- arrive to watch as we enter the Channel too. Arapawa Homestead is directly in front of us and I hear someone say there must be a road out here. No there are no roads, those are farm tracks, it's an island and the only way there is by boat.

I follow the signs and stairways up to the top viewing deck where there are fabulous views in front and down both sides of the Channel. 

There's even fewer people up on the top deck, it's breezy but warm in the sun.

The top deck overlooks the stern of the boat and the upper vehicle deck where there are very few trucks parked on this sailing. We leave the Channel entrance in our wake...

 ...as we cruise past several salmon and mussel farms...

...and numerous secluded houses and holiday homes tucked into calm little bays & coves along the way.

...and then we turn into Queen Charlotte Sound and head south up the Sound...

...passing Waikawa first- a small settlement with a large marina- just over the hill from Picton. Passengers near me ask if that is Picton. 'No' I tell them, that's around that lower green headland centre left.

We sail around the point and directly ahead of us is Picton (as predicted). Crewmen move out onto the bow to ready the boat for docking.

Picton is a small picturesque seaside town tucked in below the surrounding hillsides and nestled on the edge of Queen Charlotte Sound. It's also the arrival point for many visitors to the beautiful South Island.

We head directly for Port Marlborough and the ferry terminal.

The Strait Feronia spins around and...

...we back in nicely along the wharf. The captain has obviously done this before. The call has been made to move to the vehicle decks and I have to quickly head down five flights of stairs...

...catching up with David on the last stairway before we make our way back to the rig.

And then without further ado, we're driving off, back onto familiar soil and our new home island. 

It's hard not to recommend Bluebridge, they run a slick operation with friendly and helpful staff and good systems in place which makes for a stress-free crossing. Thank you Bluebridge for another smooth sailing.

I know a few of my readers have asked about Bluebridge's pet policy. Pets are welcome on Bluebridge ferries, they can either be booked into one of the kennels or, as most travellers prefer, left in their vehicle. But please let Bluebridge know when you check in so that you can be given a 'Pets Onboard' mirror dangler. Please also read this information and the crew will park your vehicle in a well ventilated spot that is sheltered from the sun.

Bluebridge Key Facts-

• Pets are welcome on Bluebridge 
•  44 sailings a week
• Around 300,000 passengers cross the Cook Strait with Bluebridge every year.
• Ships have the capacity for around 400 passengers each (check this link for regular Covid-19 updates)
• Sail four times a day Wellington to Picton including a 2.30am overnight sailing- and three times a day from Picton to Wellington
• Free wi-fi, movies and kids packs on board

Farewell South, Hello North

Catch-up; Happy New Year and welcome to 2018 folks! 

After Marfells Beach we headed into Blenheim and spent a couple of nights back at the Racecourse while we did a few chores and checked the weather forecast. The time had come to say a reluctant farewell to our South Island travels (for the time being) and prepare to cross back to the North Island.

We had the pleasure of meeting John & Judy, who pulled in beside us in their Cougar 5th-wheeler

Marlborough sunsets are magnificent, and during our latest visit, Mother Nature once again didn't fail to impress.

Chores sorted, and in readiness for an early morning sailing, we moved 20kms up the road (and 8kms from Picton) to our favourite NZMCA CAP (cost apply parking) at Koromiko for the night.

For just the second time in 8 sailings we boarded the Interislander for our morning crossing. We usually sail with Bluebridge, they are slightly cheaper but they had no Saturday morning sailings. 

Goodbye Picton :( 

So while we were at it, we decided to sail in style and pay an extra $45 each for the Interislander Plus, a exclusive premium lounge with free food, drink, wifi, magazines etc (well, this was going to be our last crossing for awhile we told ourselves). We usually buy breakfast and a coffee so it wasn't going to be too much more expense. And I can report that it was well worth the extra dollars; breakfast, morning tea and lunch were served buffet style along with cold and hot drinks including alcoholic beverages. In fact there was so much lovely food we couldn't partake in it all.

I had to leave the lounge on a regular basis due to me being a fair weather sailor and needing regular and long doses of fresh air. For some unfathomable reason I forgot to take my Sealegs tablet. I never gave it a thought until we hit the open Strait. And it wasn't even that rough!

But the beauty of freezing your butt off outside is you get the opportunity of searching for sealife- click to enlarge and see if you can spot it.....tiny, caught mid-air, centre left (and if you still miss it, like Mum & Dad, there's a zoomed in shot at the bottom of the post).

The last drag before turning, to head into Wellington Harbour, always seems to take forever as they overshoot the entrance before lining it up to pass through. Once the turn happens I can rest easy and my tummy settles as we run with the swell (you wouldn't believe we once had a launch would you?). It's a blustery day and we leave a few dozen sailors in our wake.

Ahead of us Wellington city looks stunning on a beautiful blue sky day and suddenly my peaceful spot on the deck is overflowing with passengers checking out the sights.

We get the call to head to our vehicles and we make our way down 7 or 8 flights of steps, carefully checking for the deck number we need before exiting. It's very easy to get confused in the bowels of the ship and we meet a few people who have lost their way and are coming back up the narrow stairway. We find the rig where we left her, sandwiched between two big truck and trailer units.

It's not long before we're off-loaded and following a long line of random vehicles that are weaving their way through and around numerous port buildings until we finally exit onto the busy city waterfront road. We turn north and quickly settle into the new norm; fast and furious motorway traffic. "Welcome back to the North Island, there'll be no leisurely stroll along up here, thankyou very much!"

We head to the relatively new NZMCA Park at Plimmerton where we find ourselves a spot for the night. After a cup of tea and a brief discussion we decide we're out of there too. This was definitely the shortest stay ever at a park.

We were actually intending to head to Tauranga but we had a change of plan, the only problem being we were on the wrong side of the island, usually this wouldn't have been an issue (and it still wasn't really) but with the Manawatu Gorge closed indefinitely it meant we'd have to cross the Pahiatua Track; a winding, narrow, but perfectly adequate, road over the Tararua Range. Had we changed our plans earlier we would have left Wellington and headed into the Wairarapa over the Rimutakas.

Heading up the Kapiti Coast

And that was how, 4 hours later, we found ourselves parked at Napier's NZMCA Park. A park that we would never usually stay at because we have our very own private POP (park over property) in town.

We'd decided to surprise Mum & Dad and detour to Napier for a week. They had recently won a couple of places in the Napier Garden Competition and we wanted to attend the prizegiving with them when one prize winner won the Supreme Garden award.

They received a first place in the first time entry section and a second place in the vegetable garden section and while they didn't win the big one, we were thrilled and very proud of them that they'd been recognised (and especially Dad who is the prime gardener) for their efforts. Pretty good for a couple of octogenarians (Ok, well...one not quite octogenarian). 

The morning after arriving in Napier, and once we'd taken down Dad's carport sail and poles, we shifted from the NZMCA Park to our very familiar concrete pad in suburbia.

A week later and with just two and a bit weeks free before we needed to be back in Napier, we headed off to another very familiar campsite, our 'home base' at the Mt Maunganui Holiday Park.

We were a few weeks closer to Christmas on this visit than the last, and the campground was extremely busy, especially in the Oceanside sections. 

We settled into the Harbourside section of the campground overlooking Pilot Bay which is just as lovely and not quite so busy....

...if you don't count a couple of school camps that came and went while we were there. Actually it was really nice to be back in amongst people again, have a few laughs with other campers and generally feel the good vibes that are part of this crazy resort town.

The very first visitor to our door (within 5 minutes of setting up camp) was this super cute but cheeky thrush who invited itself inside at any opportunity or stood on the step silently staring us out if we didn't feed it. It had a shy fledgling hiding under the van that it took any titbits to. 

The Mount was looking at its best with shades of deep red splashed across its flanks as many of the large pohutukawa trees (NZ's very own christmas tree) that grow around Mt Maunganui/Mauao were blooming or just about to bloom. 

It felt good to be back on home soil (sand), it was just a pity I had to rest my foot as I couldn't make the most of  the walking tracks, although I did manage to limp two circuits of the Base Track before we left.

We had a very busy two weeks catching up with family and friends, dinners and BBqs to attend, Christmas shopping to take care of and ticking off annual appointments with Drs and dentists etc.

And it was a lovely surprise to have our good friends Amanda & Paul arrive for some fun and frivolities. They brought their 5th-wheeler down from Pyes Pa where they had been staying and parked beside us for a few days. We'd last seen them in Mapua, Nelson over a year ago, so we had a lot of catching up to do.

And it's definitely a small world when you own a fifth-wheeler, friends who came to see Amanda & Paul were also looking for us (not knowing that we were parked together). They are new owners of a 5th-wheeler and are good friends of our Southland family's parents (who live in the Bay).

Most afternoons and early evenings, we watched from our van, a number of para-gliders ride the thermals after launching themselves from the top of the Mount.

They rose and dropped, dipped and whirled on their way to their landing spot on the Main Beach. They'd then haul their gear back up the track to the top and do it all again. From our vantage point it often looked like they were about to land on the Oceanside Twin Tower apartment block.

More to come from the Mount soon...

And what did I see from the top deck of the Interislander- a Common Dolphin, in fact I saw half a dozen of his mates too but they disappeared very quickly, he rode the bow wave for a short time.