Wellington to Picton Ferry: How to Cross from the North to South Island in a Motorhome (With Kids)

If you’re planning to take your motorhome from New Zealand’s North Island to the South Island (or the other way around), the Cook Strait ferry crossing is your gateway. We recently made the trip from Wellington to Picton with our motorhome and two young kids, and I’m sharing everything you need to know to make it smooth, stress free and fun!

If you’re wondering about costs, how check in works, what it’s like on board or whether it’s kid friendly, this guide has everything you need to know and talks about our own experience.

Which Ferry Service to Take

We travelled with Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries, which operates between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island).

Crossing time: Around 3.5 hours
Sailings per week: ~50 sailings across 3 different ships
Vehicles supported: Cars, caravans, motorhomes, trailers, and freight
Facilities: Café/bar, lounges, free movies, WiFi, viewing decks, kids’ play area
Optional extras: Private cabins

TIP: If you’re a NZMCA member (New Zealand Motor Caravan Association), you’ll get discounted fares.

Learn more about NZMCA membership here.

We booked directly through Bluebridge, which was easy and straightforward even when we changed the date and moved our booking forward. We simply selected the new date and paid the difference all online.

In line to board the Bluebridge Ferry at Wellington

Cost of Taking a Motorhome on the Ferry

For our 7.5 metre motorhome with 2 adults, a 1 year old and a 4 year old, the fare was $745 NZD on the Thursday morning sail.

Prices can fluctuate anywhere from $100–$200 cheaper or more expensive, depending on the day and time.
Peak travel times (weekends, holidays) tend to cost more.

TIP: If your dates are flexible, compare the dates easily on the Bluebridge website to find the best price.

Where We Stayed Beforehand

We booked into the Top 10 Holiday Park in Lower Hutt the night before which was a 20 minute drive to the Wellington port. We noticed a few other motorhomes were packing up at the same early hour as us so they obviously had the same plan too!

This was a great option because it meant we didn’t have to stress about morning traffic or rushing with the kids.

View from the top deck coming into Picton on the South Island

Check-In and Boarding Process

Our sailing was 8:15am and check-in closed at 7:15 sharp.
We arrived around 6:20am which gave us plenty of buffer time.
Check-in was simple: we stayed in the motorhome, gave our booking number, and were directed to a waiting bay.

While waiting, we made breakfast and coffee in the motorhome which is a major perk of travelling with your own kitchen! Around 7:30am, staff guided us onto the ship.

Onboard Experience (With Kids!)

Once parked, we headed upstairs to the café and dining area. Here’s what made it work for our family:

Grab a table early – seating is first in, first served and it fills up quickly. We chose one close to the kids’ play area.
Play area: had the fidget style toys that are connected to the wall, a little table and a TV playing The Lorax.
Dining: options ranged from gourmet breakfasts and sandwiches to cakes and fruit. We ordered the big breakfast as a second breaky (the mushrooms were incredible!) and ice blocks for the kids (because why not have ice blocks for breakfast).

Entertainment: Elsa from Frozen showed up to do colouring, face painting, temporary tattoos, and hang out with the kids, a lifesaver for parents!

Elsa from Frozen made an appearance to keep the kids entertained! Here she is painting the kids faces.

BYO activities: We brought homemade play dough, which kept our little ones entertained for a good half hour (which is a win with a 4 year old and 1 year old)

We had a clear, fairly calm day which made for a comfortable crossing overall. The boat did get a bit “rolly” at one stage, even in good conditions, but it didn’t last long and the kids didn’t even notice.

We haven’t travelled with Interislander, so I can’t compare comfort or facilities but Bluebridge worked really well for us as a young family.

Seasickness Tips for Families

Even on calm days, the Cook Strait can get a little bumpy. Here are a few ways to make the trip easier if you or your kids (or you) are prone to motion sickness:

Sit mid ship, where there’s less movement.
Pack snacks and water to settle stomachs.
Bring travel sickness bands or medication (check with your doctor or pharmacist).
Encourage kids to look at the horizon rather than screens if they start feeling off.
Step outside for fresh air – Shaun had to do this and he came back feeling much better.

The Views

Don’t miss the top outdoor deck. The approach into Picton is absolutely stunning with green hills on either side and bright turquoise water. Trust me when I say it’s worth braving the wind for the views!

A beautiful day to travel on the Bluebridge ferry and see Picton in the sunshine!

Why Travel with Bluebridge?

Flexible schedules and plenty of weekly sailings
Family friendly facilities
Motorhome friendly with easy boarding
Options for privacy (cabins) if you need them

If you’re travelling New Zealand by campervan or motorhome, the ferry crossing is all part of the adventure.