Lyla Lindsey
There are no regular ferry services operating between Australia and New Zealand. The distance between the two countries, about 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland, makes it an expensive journey. While cruise ships travel between the two countries, they are costly and not recommended. There are, however, several ferry services within New Zealand, such as the ferry from Wellington to Picton, which connects the South Island with the North Island.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ferry services between Australia and New Zealand | Don't exist |
| Reason 1 | Air travel and car hire are cheaper |
| Reason 2 | Distance makes it expensive |
| Alternative | Shipping the car in a container |
| Availability of ferries within New Zealand | 1 major ferry connection and 9 smaller ones |
| Most popular ferry port in New Zealand | Picton |
| Number of weekly sailings to Picton | 43 |
| Number of daily sailings from Wellington to Picton | 6 |
| Cost of Wellington to Picton ferry | $369 |
| Number of daily sailings from Auckland to Waiheke | 36 |
| Cost of Auckland to Waiheke ferry | $112 |
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What You'll Learn
There are no car ferries between Australia and New Zealand
There are no car ferries operating between Australia and New Zealand. While cruise ships travel between the two countries, there are no ferry services available. The distance between the two countries, about 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland, makes operating a ferry an expensive endeavour. Ticket prices or car transport fees could reach $3,000 or more, making it difficult to attract enough passengers to make the service financially viable.
While it is not possible to take your car on a ferry between Australia and New Zealand, there are other options for transporting your vehicle. You can ship your car in a container, although this can be challenging to organise. There are some companies that specialise in shipping vehicles between the two countries, so this may be an option for those who need to transport their cars.
Within New Zealand, there are several ferry options available. The most popular ferry port in New Zealand is Picton, with around 43 weekly sailings. The Wellington to Picton ferry trip takes approximately 3.5 hours and runs up to 42 times per week. This route connects the South Island with the North Island and is a popular option for travellers.
There are also several ferry options available from Auckland, including the Auckland to Waiheke ferry, which is the fastest and cheapest option for travelling to New Zealand. This ferry takes approximately 40 minutes and costs around $112 on average, excluding booking fees. It is important to note that prices may vary depending on various factors such as the number of passengers, vehicle type, and season.
While there are no car ferries directly between Australia and New Zealand, there are other transport options available, including flying and shipping your car. Within New Zealand, a variety of ferry services provide convenient and efficient travel options for passengers and vehicles alike.
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Shipping a car in a container is possible
There is no ferry service between Australia and New Zealand. The distance between the two countries is significant, at about 2,155 km from Sydney to Auckland, and operating a ferry over such a long route would be costly. Flying between the two countries is fast and affordable, with many low-cost airlines offering competitive prices. Renting a car upon arrival is also a practical and cost-effective option.
However, shipping a car in a container from Australia to New Zealand is possible. Several companies offer this service, including Cars2NZ, Allied, and Dazmac. Cars2NZ has over 20 years of experience in the shipping business and is the leading company when it comes to shipping vehicles between the two countries. Allied helps thousands of Kiwis relocate themselves and their vehicles to Australia every year and can guide you through the ins and outs of car relocation. Dazmac has experience processing the Customs and AQUIS requirements for boat shipping and can likely help with car shipping as well.
If you are shipping a car from Australia to New Zealand, there are a few things you need to do. First, you must establish a correct odometer reading to supply to NZ Customs on entry into New Zealand. Without this, the vehicle will be considered as parts only and cannot be registered in New Zealand. You will also need to declare any parts inside the vehicle and provide supporting invoices. If the vehicle has had any work performed on it in Australia after purchase and before shipping, this must also be declared. Failure to do so could result in a fine or confiscation of the vehicle. Your vehicle must also undergo export quarantine cleaning to remove any visible soil and contaminants.
Depending on your specific needs, you can arrange for vehicle pick-up and drop-off at an additional cost or drop off your vehicle at a depot. Your car must be in a clean condition to meet Australian quarantine compliance, and your transportation service may require you to undergo specialized cleaning beforehand. Your fuel tank must be less than 20% full, and you cannot store any personal items with your vehicle. If your vehicle has deployed airbags or airbag warning signs, these must be removed or turned off before shipping.
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Cruise ships travel between the two countries
There are no ferry services operating between Australia and New Zealand. The distance between the two countries is about 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland, and operating a ferry over such a long route would be costly. Flying between the two countries is fast and affordable, with many low-cost airlines offering competitive prices.
However, cruise ships do travel between Australia and New Zealand. Cruising is an excellent way to see both countries, as the long distances between interesting places can be covered while relaxing in luxurious surroundings. In Australia, many of the most interesting places are around the coast, including dynamic Sydney, foodie Melbourne, and the coastal scenery around Airlie Beach. New Zealand is also great to explore by ship, especially through the stunning Fiordland and the exquisite Bay of Islands.
Several cruise lines offer trips between the two countries, including Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line. Celebrity Cruises offers a wide range of itineraries, including short three- or four-night cruises from Sydney, or a six-night voyage that includes an overnight stay in Hobart, Tasmania. They also offer wine cruises to Melbourne's Yarra Valley and the Barossa Valley outside Adelaide, as well as cruises north to the Great Barrier Reef, with stops at Airlie Beach, Cairns, Brisbane, and Port Douglas. Viking Cruises offers a Sydney to Auckland cruise, with insights into the native and European cultures of both countries. You can learn about Australia's penal past, admire the Victorian treasures of Dunedin, the English gardens of Christchurch, and the art deco of Napier. You can also experience the sounds of the didgeridoo and the dances of the Māori.
When travelling between Australia and New Zealand, it is important to note that both countries have strict rules about the import of certain items, including seeds, plants, and some foods. Most visitors need an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), an electronic, label-free visa obtainable for a small fee, which must be applied for in advance. Additionally, both countries use their own dollars as currency, which are not tied to one another and do not have the same exchange rate, so it is necessary to carry a small supply of each currency when visiting both countries.
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There are 9 ferry ports in New Zealand
There are no ferry services between Australia and New Zealand. The distance between the two countries is about 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland, and operating a ferry over such a long route would be costly. Flying between the two countries is fast and affordable, with many low-cost airlines offering competitive prices.
However, there are 9 ferry ports in New Zealand, with several ferry services operating within the country. Here are the details:
Auckland
Auckland has numerous commuter ferry services, with Fullers operating ferries to Devonport, Rangitoto, and Waiheke Island. Most ferries depart from the central Auckland ferry terminal at the bottom of Queen Street. The Rangitoto to Auckland ferry is the fastest crossing, taking approximately 25 minutes. The cheapest ferry to New Zealand is around $102 on average via the Waiheke to Half Moon Bay (Auckland) route.
Wellington
Wellington is a major ferry hub, with services to Picton at the top of the South Island. The Interislander and Bluebridge ferry companies operate the crossing, with the trip usually taking around three hours.
Picton
Picton is the ferry port at the top of the South Island, providing a connection to Wellington at the bottom of the North Island.
Devonport
Devonport is another ferry port in New Zealand, with a regular service connecting it to Auckland.
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is accessible by ferry from Auckland. Some ferries on this route allow passengers to bring their cars, but it's important to check with the operator before booking.
Bluff
Small passenger-only ferries operate between Bluff and Stewart Island at the bottom of New Zealand. This can be a bumpy journey, so passengers concerned about seasickness may prefer to fly to the island from Invercargill.
Stewart Island
Ferries to Stewart Island depart from Bluff, and it is possible to bring pets onboard with certain ferry companies.
North Shore
In the early days of Auckland's development, ferries ran from the city centre to the North Shore. While some of these services have been cut due to competition from other modes of transport, it is possible that a ferry service to the North Shore still exists today.
Hauraki Gulf
Ferries also used to operate from Auckland to the Hauraki Gulf, and this may still be a viable route today.
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The most popular NZ ferry route is Picton to Wellington
There are no ferry services between Australia and New Zealand. The distance between the two countries is about 2,155 km from Sydney to Auckland, and operating a ferry over such a long route would be expensive. Flying between the two countries is affordable, with many low-cost airlines offering competitive prices.
Within New Zealand, there are many ferry services. The most popular route is from Picton to Wellington, which is commonly referred to as 'crossing the Cook Strait'. This route is served by both Bluebridge and Interislander and takes around 3.5 hours. There are 6 sailings per day, with increased sailings in summer. The earliest ferry departs Wellington Port at approximately 2:00 and the last ferry departs at approximately 19:15.
The route offers breathtaking views, with passengers sailing past Somes Island and the rugged coastline of the Wellington Heads, and into the depths of the Cook Strait. On a clear day, you can see the South Island in the distance. As the ferry approaches Picton, it sails slowly through the Tory Channel and Queen Charlotte Sound, surrounded by lush native forest, clear waters, bush walks and holiday homes.
Onboard, passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, lounges with Wi-Fi and dining options, as well as private cabins. Interislander also offers a premium lounge with free food and alcohol, which must be booked in advance. Both operators allow passengers to bring their vehicles, motorcycles and pets onboard.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no ferry services operating between Australia and New Zealand.
There are two main reasons: the availability of affordable air travel and car hire options, and the high costs of operating a ferry over such a long route.
The distance between the two countries is about 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland.
It is possible to travel as a passenger on a cargo ship. However, it is often more complicated, expensive, and less accommodating than other forms of travel.
You can ship your car in a container from Australia to New Zealand, although this can be challenging to organise. Some companies specialise in this service.
