Sailing from Wellington to Picton on the Bluebridge Ferry

Last Updated on April 22, 2025 by Alexx

Looking to cross the Cook Strait to follow your North Island adventures with a South Island road trip, or vice versa?

The Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries are my go-to operator for this iconic NZ journey, whisking you between the buzzing cultural hub of Wellington and the spectacular landscapes of the Marlborough Sounds on comfortable, well-equipped ships in three and a half hours.

From the seamless check-in process to classic Kiwi hospitality to the range of onboard options for different types of travellers, this detailed Bluebridge Ferry review covers everything you need to know before you go.

Who are Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries?

Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries have been connecting New Zealand’s North and South Islands for passengers since 2002, with up to four sailings per day for foot passengers and travellers with a vehicle.

Currently they have two ferries, the Connemara and the Strait Feronia, and I’ve sailed the Cook Strait on both! They have another ship arriving from Europe in August, the Livia, which will replace the Strait Feronia and increase Bluebridge’s capacity for both passengers and freight.

Bluebridge are particularly focused on offering great deals for different types of travellers, with 5% off for NZ-based students, discounts for families, Saver Sail fares for the budget-conscious and Flexi Sail fares if you need flexibility to change your plans.

Checking in to the Bluebridge ferry

The Bluebridge Ferry Terminal in Wellington is in the central city, right opposite Wellington Station, making it super convenient for walk-on passengers and commuters but still easy enough to reach from the motorway.

In Picton the terminal is only a few minutes from town and from State Highway 1, which will take you towards Blenheim and beyond.

Check-in closes an hour before departure, leave some leeway in your travel plans to ensure you’re not cutting it too close.

Checking in with a vehicle is a straightforward process, you just drive up to the window with your booking details and then wait your turn in the lane they direct you to until it’s time for you to board. I’ve driven a range of vehicles onto the ferry, from a compact Corolla to a not-so-compact 6.3m four berth campervan, the Bluebridge crew will help you board and park comfortably.

Once parking up (with your handbrake on tight, and with your gas bottles closed if you’re in a campervan) you grab whatever you’ll need for the next few hours and make your way up to the passenger areas. You can’t access the vehicle deck again until you arrive at the other side.

Bluebridge ferry facilities

The Strait Feronia and the Connemara are quite similar in layout but they have slightly different offerings.

The Connemara

The newest and largest ferry in the Bluebridge fleet, the Connemara has been sailing the Cook Strait since February 2023. It’s got spacious seating areas, viewing decks, a family movie room, private cabins and dog-friendly zones.

But the best bit about this ship is the new adults-only Pōhutukawa Lounge!

The Pōhutukawa Lounge opened in late 2024, and it’s the most peaceful and relaxing way to cross the Cook Strait.

Settle in to the comfy lounge seats or recliners, indulge in complimentary food and drinks with local ingredients at the forefront, soak up the views on the exclusive panoramic viewing deck, or open up your laptop and get some work done en route.

This was SUCH a gamechanger on my last trip down south. Ferries are typically pretty hectic with kids running around, passengers rushing to the window seats, trying to find a table with an easy access plug, obviously this is just what travel is like *but* if there’s an affordable option to avoid the chaos, for me it’s well worth it.

I was one of the last vehicles to board the ship, so by the time I got up to the passenger areas alllll the good seats were taken. Having lounge access meant that I skipped the usual wander-around-for-20-minutes routine to find a suitable place to park up, I just made my way to the Pōhutukawa Lounge to check in and had plenty of seats to choose from. I was on laptop duty, and I was starving, so I made myself at home in the dining area.

This was the afternoon sailing so we had lunch served first and then some smaller bites for afternoon tea before arriving. The lunch buffet included crispy pork belly, teriyaki chicken, vegetable curry, buttery mashed potatoes, other veggies, a superfood salad and a garden salad, plus sweet treats like mini pavlovas for dessert, and afternoon tea was sandwiches, fresh fruit, eclairs and donuts.

Drinks are also included, with a range of local wine, beer, RTDs and non-alcoholic drinks, and barista-made coffee.

The Pōhutukawa Lounge is R16 and available on Connemara sailings from 8.15am Wellington to Picton and 2pm Picton to Wellington, the cost is $80 per person.

The Strait Ferronia

The Strait Feronia has been refurbished since I went on it a few years ago so please note these photos are a bit out of date, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.

This ship has a quiet room, a movie theatre with free movies throughout the sailing, a family room with toys and kid-friendly movies, a dedicated work station with lots of plugs, a big passenger seating area, a dining area and another café and bar.

And, of course, plenty of outdoor viewing decks to marvel at the landscapes and spot dolphins playing in the wake.

Bluebridge ferry cabins

All of the Bluebridge ships have simple but comfortable private cabins, ideal if you need to catch up on sleep or if you just want your own space to relax, rest and freshen up before the next leg of your journey.

There are single cabins from $45, twins from $55, doubles from $65 and family cabins from $75, all cabins have air con, plugs, a desk and chair, linen, en suite bathrooms and towels.

The Connemara also has dog-friendly cabins if you’re bringing your doggo on your adventure, and the Livia will have these too once it starts its service.

Bluebridge ferry food

The Bluebridge café serves up a decent menu of classic cooked meals, gourmet toasties and lots of sandwiches and other snacks.

The brunch menu includes a smoothie bowl, eggs benedict and a big breakfast to name a few. For lunch or dinner if you want something hearty there are burgers, fish & chips and pizza, or for a lighter meal there are dumplings, tacos, salads and toasties.

There’s also a kids menu with a few different options for the little ones, and snacks like chips, lollies, baked slices and more.

In terms of liquid refreshments they have local wine, beer (both craft beer and the usual suspects), non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks and juices, tea and L’Affare coffee.

Bluebridge ferry prices

Prices for a one way sailing passenger-only start from $67 (or from $73 for more flexible tickets) and if you’re taking a car tickets start at $209 (or from $255 for a flexible ticket).

Students get a 5% discount year-round, and there are family discounts available too.

How to book your Bluebridge Ferry

You can book direct with Bluebridge right here >>

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