The trip
Everything you need to know about the Journey through Cook Strait and our ships. You can even find out where our ships are right now.
Our sailing route
From the dynamic, hilly cityscape of Wellington Harbour out through the rugged rocks and steep cliffs above the Wellington Heads – this is a journey of spectacular contrasts.
On a clear day you can see the outline of the South Island as you depart Wellington. As you sail the short stretch of open water between Wellington Heads and Tory Channel, look out for dolphins, whales and other wildlife that often keep our ferries company.
The route through Tory Channel in the Marlborough Sounds looks good from every angle. Rolling hills, lushly covered with native New Zealand bush to the water’s edge, are dotted with the occasional remote holiday home, with water access only.
As you cruise Queen Charlotte Sound towards the pretty town of Picton, you'll experience an area world-famous for its beautiful beaches, bush walks and great climate.
The Bluebridge Journey
The Bluebridge Journey
Straitsman
Built in 2005, the Danish designed and Dutch built Straitsman is the most modern vessel sailing Cook Strait. Formerly called the Dueodde, the ship joined our fleet in 2010 after connecting the Island of Bornholm with the Danish mainland. It was renamed in recognition of Strait Shipping’s (now known as StraitNZ's) first vessel, which was in service for 11 years from when the company first launched in 1992. The Straitsman is also the greenest ship to cross the Strait, with a range of eco-friendly features.
Features
- Contemporary Scandinavian interior
- Comfortable modern private cabins
- Reclining seating areas
- Café
- Reception area
- Family area
- Viewing lounge
- Green features including greater fuel efficiency and utilisation of waste heat for heating hot water and passenger areas
- High-tech navigation aids, stabilisers, two powerful bow thrusters and in-line high lift flap rudders for better manoeuvrability
- Extensive decking
- Toilets and family change areas
Facts
- Built: Volharding Shipyard, Harlingen, Netherlands, 2005
- Length: 124.9m
- Beam overall: 23.4m
- Gross tonnage: 13,906
- Draft: 5.3m
- Main engines: Two MaK 9M32
- Service speed: 18.8 knots
- Freight capacity: 1248 lane metres (freight and vehicles)
- Passengers: 400
Strait Feronia
Built in 1997, the Italian designed and built Strait Feronia has the ability to take up to 150 cars and 400 passengers. Prior to entering service in New Zealand the vessel received a full refurbishment of the public areas to meet our customers needs. The refurbishment included the introduction of a movie lounge, quiet lounge, family room, working station and an upgrade to the cafe and bar area.
Formally called the Stena Feronia, the ship joined our fleet in June 2015 after sailing an overnight service between Gothenburg (Sweden) and Kiel (Germany). The vessel was renamed 'Strait Feronia' recognising its past heritage and its future with StraitNZ (formerly known as Strait Shipping).
Features
- Spacious contemporary
lounge areas - Café
- Lounge bar
- Quiet lounge
- Movie lounge
- Family room
- Information area
- Extensive decking
- Viewing deck
- Toilets and baby
change areas - Work stations
- Comfortable private cabins
Facts
- Built: Cantiere Navale
Visentini, Italy, 1997 - Length: 186m
- Beam overall: 25.6m
- Gross tonnage: 21,856
- Draft: 6.4m
- Main engines: Two Wartsila 8L46B - total
- 15600 kW
Service speed: 16 knots - Freight capacity: 2,150
lane metres - Passengers: 400
The real time map below shows our most recent ship movements on Cook Strait. The location data is supplied by marinetraffic.com and is updated frequently.
Please note this map is only an indication of our ships’ current position and is not intended to provide exact time of arrival or departure.
Disruptions
If you have provided your mobile phone number as part of your booking, we’ll try to contact you if a sailing is delayed or cancelled. In the rare event of a sailing cancellation, we will book you on the next available sailing or fully refund your ticket.
For the most part our ships glide peacefully back and forth across calm seas, carrying happy passengers to the Marlborough vineyards or to visit our capital city, Wellington. Often the crossing is idyllic and many days are at least comfortable since only a portion of the voyage is spent in open water. The rest of the time passengers cruise through Wellington Harbour and the sheltered Queen Charlotte Sound in Marlborough.
Unfortunately Cook Strait can also be one of the world’s roughest stretches of water. It’s part of the westerly wind belt known as the Roaring Forties. As the only gap between the mountainous main islands of the country, the strait acts like a wind tunnel. So from time to time we will cancel or delay a sailing to ensure passenger comfort and safety. For current changes or to confirm your sailing time, please contact us.
Road Closure Information
For up to date information about available routes, please visit www.nzta.govt.nz/ or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). This includes links to real-time traffic updates and information about planned closures. Make sure you check your route before you travel.