Ferry between islands

Old May 10th, 2016, 05:39 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ferry between islands

We will fly into Auckland from the US and continue to Wellington by air. The next day we plan to take the ferry to Picton. Questions:
* How best to transfer from Wellington Airport to hotel
* How best to transfer to ferry next day
* Recommendations for either ferry line. Will not have car.
Clousie is offline  
Old May 10th, 2016, 12:38 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
So your sole purpose in going to Wellington is to take the ferry to Picton?
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 10th, 2016, 06:54 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No, we're booking a tour/air through Overseas Adventure Travel. Since it starts in Wellington, thought it makes sense to do the air and then set out on our own for a week before the tour starts.

I could ask if we could substitute air to Blenheim rather than Wellington and avoid the ferry one way.

A friend who's been to NZ many times suggested Marlborough Sounds as a good place to visit although I've searched through the Forum and have found very little on it. We'll be covering the often mentioned places during the 3 week tour. May start another thread about the Picton/Marlborugh area.
Clousie is offline  
Old May 10th, 2016, 07:19 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Might I suggest you state the whole tour itinerary, so we can work from there?

No need to start a new thread, this forum is as slow as molasses in January.

The tour starts in Wellington - where does it go from there?

The whole Auckland-Wellington thing has me confused.

Why not fly Auckland to Christchurch, then take your time driving towards Picton, then take the ferry to Wellington to start your tour?

Is there a reason you don't want to rent a car?

Or, forgo the ferry altogether? I've been to NZ some dozen times (mostly to the SI) and have never taken the ferry.

Not to say it's not worthwhile, I just find flying a better use of my time.

The Marlborough Sounds are indeed lovely - if you search my screen name, you'll find several trip reports I've written that include the Marlborough Sounds.

Flights to Blenheim are pretty limited. Have you considered Nelson?

If you'll post what the tour includes, it'd be easier to help.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 11th, 2016, 05:30 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here is a brief itinerary of our tour. To see it in detail, you can click the site at end. There are some optional tours that I haven't included.

About the car. Yes, we would plan to have a car during our week of self traveling, but would rent in Picton to avoid charges on ferry.

Is there enough to do in the Marlborough Sounds to warrant a week there? We could do a shorter time. Looking mainly for beautiful scenery, wine, experiencing the “real” NZ and adjusting to new time zone after long flight from east coast US.

Possibly best to fly directly from Auckland to Blenheim and then take ferry back to Wellington??? Your idea of flying to Christchurch and working our way back is also interesting. Seems to be an area we'd otherwise be missing.

Thanks for your help.

DAY 1 Depart U.S.

DAY 2 Cross International Date Line 

DAY 3 Arrive in Wellington, via Auckland

Tour on own for approx 1 week. Then join tour.

DAY 4 Wellington • Visit Te Papa Museum

DAY 5 Explore Wellington 
DAY 6 Fly to Nelson • Visit Gallery of WearableArt 
DAY 7 Hike in Abel Tasman National Park • Torrent Bay 

DAY 8 Explore Nelson
DAY 9 Fly to Te Anau 

DAY 10 Cruise Milford Sound • Queenstown

DAY 11 Lake Wakatipu Cruise • Mt. Nicholas High Country Station

DAY 12 Queenstown • Optional Queenstown

DAY 13 Fly to Rotorua • Taupo 

DAY 14 Orakei Korako Thermal Reserve • Taupo

DAY 15 Maungatautari Sanctuary • Dairy farm visit • Overland to Auckland 
DAY 16 Explore Auckland 

DAY 17 Return to the U.S. 


https://www.oattravel.com/trips/land...#tripitinerary
Clousie is offline  
Old May 11th, 2016, 11:11 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
>

Yes and no. Personally, I could do it, but I'd get mighty restless if I were based at a water access only resort for more than a few days (not that you have to do that to see the sounds).

I've visited Picton several times for 3-4 days and had no trouble filling my time, but it is a sleepy little town...and I'm a big walker.

You could walk all or part of the Queen Charlotte Track. There are quite a few walks around Picton in addition to the QCT as well.

You could spend a day or two in Blenheim visiting wineries.

You could explore some off the beaten path areas, such as the back road from Picton to Blenheim via the sounds (long, winding and rough, but very pretty on a nice day). Possibly a car rental violation.

You could (and should) drive Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock - great views and photo opportunities on a nice day.

You could take the mail boat into the sounds and/or a water taxi to walk a section of the QCT.

You could drive as far as Kaikoura for some beautiful coastal scenery and a whale trip (you'd need to spend a night or two). You could make the side trip to Hanmer Springs from Kaikoura to visit the thermal pools.

You could spend a day or two in Takaka (Golden Bay) and/or drive to Collingwood and take the Farewell Spit Tour (not many international visitors seem to do this).

These are all things you won't see on your organized tour (which by the way is a lot of moving around and pretty full on IMO).

Flying into Christchurch, then working your way to Picton will increase your options tremendously, and you'll see quite a lot without having to drive huge distances or rush about. You could pick up a car in Christchurch and drop it off in Picton right at the ferry terminal, then just walk onto the ferry to Wellington.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 12th, 2016, 06:01 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for all your suggestions, Melnq8. Will certainly consider all you've said.
We're hoping to soak in the scenery and see a lot, but certainly want to keep it low key and not rush about. When I plan my own trips, which is the norm, I like to stay at least 3 or 4 days in an area and explore from a base. Hiking and or kayaking are also favorite activities.

"Flying into Christchurch, then working your way to Picton will increase your options tremendously, and you'll see quite a lot without having to drive huge distances or rush about."

Also like this idea. Would you suggest cutting cross island to Greymouth and then back to Picton or going up the east coast? (I'm using Picton as a general locater, not the exact destination. A you've said, it's better to be outside the town)

Question on roads. Some look very twisty. Do most of the main roads have guardrails? First time driving on left side of the road and although I don't expect a major problem, I may be a little freaked on a very curvy road that drops right off without guardrails.

Looking forward to any further suggestions you can make. Know this isn't exactly the area of south island that visitors usually concentrate on, but I really enjoy seeing the non-touristy sections when I travel.
Clousie is offline  
Old May 12th, 2016, 06:16 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Guard rails, no. Twisty yes, but generally well maintained and banked.

You won't find many roads with steep drop offs on the Christchurch to Picton route. More so on the West Coast, but certainly nothing to be afraid of.

Will get back later today with some ideas for the West Coast, will have to work out travel times, etc.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 12th, 2016, 06:52 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have started to read your trip reports and look at Flicker photos. Very helpful and great photos.

Unfortunately need to do some things here today in NJ instead of dreaming/planning my trip. Sigh.......
Clousie is offline  
Old May 13th, 2016, 05:00 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Glad they help Clousie. Haven't forgotten about you, have just been flat out. Will try to check in later today with some suggestions for the West Coast routing.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 13th, 2016, 03:10 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Okay, an alternative that incorporates the West Coast, feasible with a week.


Drive Christchurch - Greymouth via Arthur's Pass - overnight at either or continue on to Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) and overnight there - where and how long you stay depends on what time you arrive in Christchurch, how much you want to drive that day and what you'd like to do en route and at each location, say hiking in Arthur's Pass, visiting the brewery in Greymouth, hiking in Punakaiki, whatever.

Drive from ....(above)...towards Murchison, and on to Motueka or Nelson, or Takaka (you'll not see Takaka or that end of the Abel Tasman Track or Collingwood on your tour, so it would be a good option. However, there's a lot to see around Motueka/Mapua, etc that you won't specifically cover in your tour either, so depends on what you want to do.

Drive from ...(above) to Picton or on to Blenheim for a few days then back to Picton/Marlborough Sounds.

Drive distances here - keep in mind they're estimates - it usually takes me much longer to drive than the times indicated on this chart, but I explore a lot en route and make a day of the drive.

What time of year are you going?
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 16th, 2016, 05:41 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We hope to go mid-late February.

Thanks for the suggestions for the western route. Would you put that over the eastern coast from Christchurch to Picton? Think you scared me a little about no guard rails on the left side.

Arthur's Pass sounds really pretty and good for hiking. However, I'm only finding a rather expensive lodge or hostel for accommodations. Is that correct?
Clousie is offline  
Old May 16th, 2016, 06:05 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
I mispoke Clousie, there are guard rails where they are truly needed, but to a lesser extent than one might find in the US.

Don't worry - roads are banked - the routes you're considering are winding, but certainly nothing to fret about. The 'worst' bit on your western route is probably Arthur's Pass, and truly, it's not that bad, especially in summer. The drive can be tiring though, be sure to take breaks.

There are several videos online for the drive over Arthur's Pass - I tried to post one here, but it won't take for some reason. I suggest you look at one to appease your concerns.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 16th, 2016, 06:05 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Lodging in Arthur's Pass is indeed limited. In addition to the places you've already found, a few more here:

http://www.arthurspass.com/index.php?page=2
Melnq8 is offline  
Old May 17th, 2016, 04:57 AM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much for the info on Arthur's Pass. Think I'd really like to spend a night there, but previously the lodging possibilities were pretty bleak. Now there's a choice.

Will take some time now to further research the areas you suggested, look at videos and more of your trip reports and get back to you in a while. You have been a great help. A bit surprised that no one else jumped on this thread. Perhaps as I first said, it's an area not too many include in their itineraries???
Later.
Clousie is offline  
Old May 17th, 2016, 07:44 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It's not your routing, it's this forum. It's very slow.

Try asking for assistance at the Trip Advisor forums, they are very active.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForu...w_Zealand.html
deSchenke is offline  
Old May 17th, 2016, 08:51 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Yes, this forum is glacial these days. More contributors over on TA.

Your routing isn't unusual, although you've got more challenges than most with a tour/self-drive combo and having some limitations on where you begin and end your journey. Otherwise, the routes you've mentioned are well traveled.

Happy to help with accommodation suggestions once you settle on your itinerary.
Melnq8 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cathyo
Australia & the Pacific
9
Aug 30th, 2019 07:04 AM
annnfam
Australia & the Pacific
9
Nov 13th, 2016 07:05 PM
jnridella
Australia & the Pacific
8
Jul 17th, 2016 09:56 AM
Lester12
Australia & the Pacific
8
Nov 16th, 2013 02:26 PM
chas
Australia & the Pacific
9
Apr 21st, 2007 10:41 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -