Please note that in early 2023, the Kaitaki ferry was taken out of service because of a number of faults, reducing the number of sailings and limiting capacity. Check the Interislander service alerts page for updates if you're planning to travel: www.interislander.co.nz/plan/service-alerts/
Hi Adam, What a surprise to see you at the tram stop today. You inspired us to come and visit Adelaide before travelling through to Alice Springs . I enjoy watching your videos, Regards Erika from sunny Perth 😎
Back in 1983 I spent a few months in NZ mainly staying in Auckland. I bought a 1964 Vauxhall Viva for $150 and set off on a leisurely road trip. The Wellington - Picton trip was truly beautiful and I made it all the way to Queenstown. Before the return crossing the ferry company advised us that the weather forecast was bad. Too right ! We had to seek shelter in the Sound for 18 hours. On arrival in Wellington after over 24 hours on board, I went down to the car deck and found that the car next to me had not been chained down properly and shifted putting a couple of small dents in mine. The ferry company paid me $200 for the damage. Happy days.
As an ex Wellingtonian I loved this video. Now living in Adelaide this brings back so many memories as I used to travel this route regularly to the lovey city of Nelson 😁 Thank you Adam for also covering the Wahine disaster. As a child I was on that ferry only a few months before the disaster and still gives me the chills to think that could have been me. On a fair weather day it is easy to feel a sense of security. However a ferry on this route in the 1990's was hit by a rouge wave and listed to over 70 degrees! It is officially recognised that Cook Strait is one of the most dangerous ferry crossings in the world. As recently as 28/01/2023 the ferry Kaitaki lost all power off the south coast of Wellington and thankfully didn't end in disaster. For those travelling on the modern ferries, as the Cook Strait ferry route is officially a highway you will have full cellphone connection the entire route
Thanks so much for the feedback and for sharing your experiences. I can only imagine what it’s like in rough weather. While researching for this video I came across some videos of ferry crossings in rough weather … and it looked terrifying. Yes, they’ve had a few engineering issues of late with some of their ferries.
I am an ex Wellingtonian living in Adelaide too - I have driven over to Tailem Bend and then driven down the River Murray just so I could text my parents and say I had just taken the ferry to Wellington 😂
Excellent and well edited documentary video. I enjoy your videos very much. Also, technically they are excellent, very sharp and well stabilized. Bravo.
I always enjoy your railway videos, but this is by far the very best ferry travelogue I have seen. The graphics and music enhance the excellent commentary and helped me understand the geography of the crossing, The photography absolutely captures a wonderful land and seascape I shall almost certainly never be able to see for myself. Thank you for the work that went into the production of this. 🙂
Hi Adam, this is another amazing presentation by you and the quality is truly breathtaking. I sailed into and out of Picton while on a cruise on the Ovation of the Seas, and the experience was amazing. The beauty of New Zealand is something everyone should try to experience and is equal to Alaska when cruising. I can't wait for your next presentation, so please don't keep us waiting for too long.
Hi John. Wonderful to hear that - thank you! Yes, New Zealand is stunning. I’ve not been to Alaska … but hopefully one day. Because making these videos is a hobby I have to fit around a full time job, it always takes me a while. But will get onto the next one as quickly as I can. Cheers!
Thank you Adam, throughly enjoy every moment of this amazing journey. New Zealand is beautiful and will always be a favourite destination of us Aussies.👌🏻🥰
I was a 7 year old boy at the time the Wahine went down, I was staying in a catholic orphanage called “Star of the Sea” which was in Seatoun up on the hill, I remember this event so well, the next day the Nuns took us children down to the sea shore to view the ship lying on its side, I felt like I could reach out and touch it. A tragic event, my thoughts to those that lost there lives. Well done on this content, most enjoyable.
Hi, I took that ferry back in 2004. Scenery amazing & we were treated to a junior NZ rugby team performing the Haka just brilliant. Wonderful country. Your great video brings back treasured memories, thank you
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thanks, enjoy your travels. I am looking forward to the south island coastal train trip as that will also bring back wonderful memories. Stay safe
USA here, i follow a few NZ youtubers, sheep farmers, veggy grower, and you... first time watching a ferry crossing the sound... beautiful area.. thanks, looking forward to your trip up the coast.. 👍👍
I have crossed the strait in both directions on both ferries. My Wellington to Picton trip had 4 to 5 meter seas and high barf bag usage. The return trip was stunning. I would say the Interislander is a better experience than the Blue Bridge. The Seabreeze cafe in Picton has the best NZ smoked salmon eggs Benedict I have ever tasted.
Oh wow … crossing in high seas would have been quite the experience. Good to know re Bluebridge. Smoked salmon eggs Benedict sounds delicious … will have to try next time I visit. 😋
Awesome video Adam, as usual! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Have been on the ferries many many years ago and the scenery is rather spectacular indeed. Looking forward to your next video :)
Another really nice video. Thanks. I was born in NZ in 1950s. Left NZ for Canada in mid 1960s. We took the ferry between North Island and South Island many times in the about 12 years I lived in Kiwi land (one set of grandparents lived in Christchurch). In those days the ferry from Wellington to Lyttleton (Christchurch) and back was basically a way to get from A to B. It wasn't fancy. And it sailed overnight. We kids loved it. But around 1964 ish, we sailed across the strait in one of the worst storms they'd had. (That was before the Wahine disaster). We all got violently seasick, very unusual for us as we had good sea legs. Half the staff were also seasick. We sailed on either the Rangitira (#1) or the Hinemoa. Apparently I went to Picton with Mom and Dad when I was about 3 years old, but I don't remember it. It's interesting to see how much things have changed over the years. Thanks for sharing your videos. I highly doubt I (and my husband) will ever get to NZ again, so I enjoy these opportunities to armchair travel.
Oh wow - that sounds like a treacherous and awful crossing. I’ve seen more recent videos of Interislander ferries in bad seas and am very grateful to have had fine weather on my crossing. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
A great show about New Zealand Railways is called Destinations 24 hours in the life of New Zealand Railways made in 1980 by the New Zealand National Film Unit
Great video! It brought back a lot of memories to when I did this journey. Sadly, I didn't have the same nice weather. It was just awful. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. I look forward to your next video since that is exactly what I did after the ferry too!
Lovely video. It was like taking a teal life cruise across the strait. In my next visit I would like to take the rental car on to the ferry and drive on from the landing point.
Your In flight commentary is so informative, scenery is superb, only matched by your choice of checked shirts. I remember Wahine Day, so well. April 11 1968.
Great video Adam as always very informative and interesting. Loved the change of pace water instead of rails. As always thanks for your time and effort 👌
It is called Go South and ends on a boat heading out into Tasman Sea from Milford Sound 😊 An AMAZINGLY beautiful journey, especially the South Island ❤
Another Brilliant Production Adam ... You wouldn't believe this. I was watching one of your vlogs last night & I was going to suggest to you to do a vlog on a Ship ... & I wake up this morning to find you've uploaded one on a Ferry. Maybe one day you can do one on a Cruise Liner ... I've done several on Princess Cruise Lines I'm sure you'd love it! Cheers mate 👍😎🤙 Beanie (Brisbane)
I travelled on the "Wahine" several times, she was my favourite ship, less than two years old when she sank in 1968, in a hurricane. Sixteen years earler, at the age of four I crossed the Tasman on board the M/V Wanganella, which in early 1947 had also gone aground on Barrett's Reef, but without sinking. I did the trip to Picton once or twice on the M/V Aramoana, the first of the rail-road ferries. It's a pity that the overnight ferries between Wellington and Lyttleton are long gone, almost fifty years now, since the Marlborough Sounds route, while beautiful, is quite dangerous and the wakes of the ferries cause damage to the shore, precluding the use of fast ferries such as the 36-knot Austal trimarans on which I have had pleasant trips (e.g. HSC Benchijigua Express, upon which the US Navy's littoral combat Independence-class ships are based). Given the very expensive conundrums now facing the interisland service, I really do think that the Lyttleton option should be re-investigated (the Wahine, Maori and Rangatira were operated by the Union Steamship Company, not NZR). Surely it would be a "greener" option, delivering people, vehicles and trains to the more conveniently located Christchurch in the middle of the South Island. Smaller ships to Picton would serve Nelson and Blenheim, not requiring the expensive new facilities needed in Picton by large new ferries. The new National-led government has cancelled replacements for this and the other Interisland ferries, together with port redevelopment in Wellington and Picton.
Awesome video mate.....I sailed on that ferry in 2019 from Picton to Wellington which was my first time ever and loved it.....although as we got further into the straight, it got rougher but I'd do it all again.....
Another fantastic video. Just giving it a rewatch. I always look forward to your videos. They are so well done and you put a great deal of effort into your research. I know it's not always easy for you to get out and make these, living and working in Adelaide, but your work is greatly appreciated.
Excellent video. Glad your crossing was smooth , albeit windy !🤣 I have only ever done it once . From Picton to Wellington way back in 1976. The ferry then accomdated the tour bus we were on , doing a 3 camping your of both islands. I don't remember much, except the ferry didn't rock much, so I guess our crossing was smooth too. It's amazing scenery. Hubby and I didn't believe that Wellington is the capital city closest to the South Pole, we were sure it was Hobart or somewhere in South America !.... So that was a pretty amazing fact to learn. Thankyou
Thank you - glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the scenery is beautiful … but then so is most of New Zealand. I believe Hobart may be more southerly than Wellington but Hobart is only a state capital rather than a country’s capital, so wouldn’t be included in the comparison. 🤔
Hi from California! Adam, thank you for the book early advice. I didn't get the dates I wanted, and had to swap out the train for the bus down to Christchurch. I can't believe my preferred dates/times in October, seven months out, are already sold out! I'm about to book the Tranzalpine too if I can.
Glad the advice was helpful. I guess the other challenge with the Coastal Pacific is that only runs four days a week for part of the year, so that is a limiting factor too. Yes, definitely worth taking the TranzAlpine!
Think I was on the last ferry back to the North Island in 2020 during Covid!, ended up in New Plymouth. Returning in October, so will do it again (hopefully no Covid this time!). I also travelled to Picton on the Kaiarahi! Thanks for the memories!
Bravo that was a packed video with everything you could possibly want to know !!! Bravo !! Did you ever nail this one...👏👏👏 You are one the best 'You Tubers' around ...:):):)
That was good, as always. We took the ferry trip with a campervan in 1983 and I have no memory of it really, aside from trolley buses in Wellington. I'll just remark, the music is quite loud compared to the volume of you speaking, so I am up and down with the remote sound button, as my partner naps in the afternoon when I usually watch your vids on the lounge room tv. We have caught the historic train from Dunedin to the Taieri Gorge and that was a great train experience.
Thank you! You should be able to reduce the dynamic range on your tv which would prevent the music (in anything you watch) becoming so loud and waking your partner. 😉 I’d love to try the train from Dunedin one day.
This makes me want to travel to New Zealand one day. I don't know if I will ever get there but I feel like I have taken the ferry. Thanks for chronicling it. 😁
just a shame you didn't get any footage of the western view if the Queen Charlotte Sound, at the point you enter the sounds, to the right that bush to the north is over 150 years old, Resolution bay where they (Captain Cook) refitted the HMS Resolution 150 years ago is around the corner to the right, you can get a ferry out to the beginning (end) of the Queen Charlotte Track, and the famous (in yachting circles) Endeavour Inlet immediately before that, with sleeping quarters, pub and hotel are, also named afterwhere the Endeavour was refitted 150 years ago. Note that 150 years ago, the Maori communities were located across the sounds at the point where the ferry enters the sounds at the current day
The fare is covered at 23:06 in the video. The journey is about three hours (but subject to the weather). Food is not included … you buy on board (although there is a premium lounge you can buy entry to which includes food).
I have been to Picton and they are upgrading the ferry terminals in Picton for the bigger ferry’s in 2025 and blue bridge has a new ferry two l have been on the one that carry’s the train 😊
Rather like Stranraer (now Cairnryan) to Larne (now Belfast), not necessarily in terms of scenery but with the beginning and end of the crossing being at the end of lochs and a fairly short, but often stormy, open sea crossing - and also the scene of a famous ferry disaster (Princess Victoria in 1953)
The onboard facilities don't look at all bad for a vessel of her age that was primarily designed as a freight ferry on a fairly short crossing. I suppose she was refurbished internally when they acquired her
It was weird seeing an Australian holding a knife in his left hand and a fork it the right. When I was in Melbourne, everyone held their cutlery like we do in Europe - fork in the left hand to hold the food down while cutting with the right.
Picton named after General Picton who was killed at Waterloo 1815 ?? . Wahine was built on the Clyde here in Scotland and was just newly delivered ....
Because of the geology and the fact NZ is on a fault, I believe it would be prohibitively expensive. There’s an article about it here: i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/101061154/is-it-time-for-a-cook-strait-bridge-or-tunnel
there's not enough population in New Zealand to spend multiple billions of dollars on a bridge. and yeah as the uploader said it has a risk of being on a fault line which means earthquakes, plus the fact the seas can be really rough so good luck with construction.
It varies a lot (depending on how long the actual trip was / how much footage I have / how much extra detail I add - such as sourcing historic footage etc). This is also a hobby … so has to fit around a full time job. On average it takes me 3-4 weeks per video. In terms of hours, I’d be guessing … but I’d say close to 25 - 38 hours (so equivalent to up to a full week’s work). 🤔
Those dead, grey or brown trees in the Sounds are the work of the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust who has spent millions of dollars and thousands of hours killing the wilding pines (mostly Radiata) that have spread from those pine plantations that you saw into the native bush where they eventually take over completely. Sadly forestry should never have been allowed in this beautiful area.
The ferry trip is great but at the moment the Wellington/Picton ferry services are so unreliable I would not recommend them to anyone. They could seriously mess up your travel plans. Suggest you read the NZ news about ferry breakdowns and cancellations.
Thank you for the feedback. I recorded this video in October 2022 and it is based on my experience at the time (which was good). But yes, I have heard the ferries are currently unreliable. Have pinned a comment to acknowledge this. Cheers.
is this for real two ferry companies and all their ships break down leaving people stranded up to a month yeah wonderful trip from wellington to picton i must say
@@FromtheWindowSeat its pretty third world country for having both ferry companies with issues nearly every week they ordered new ferries one place but not here till 2025
The 2024 update.. the plan for 2 new ferries, for which construction was about to start, has been cancelled because of massive cost overruns.. Kiwi Rail, the owner / operators of The Interlslander ferry service, is essentially a government department so as such suffered all the problems of government business ownership! Between bad weather, mechanical problems, staffing problems etc, the interlslander service suffers quite poor % availability rate…
Please note that in early 2023, the Kaitaki ferry was taken out of service because of a number of faults, reducing the number of sailings and limiting capacity. Check the Interislander service alerts page for updates if you're planning to travel: www.interislander.co.nz/plan/service-alerts/
Hi Adam,
What a surprise to see you at the tram stop today. You inspired us to come and visit Adelaide before travelling through to Alice Springs . I enjoy watching your videos, Regards Erika from sunny Perth 😎
@@Erika-el1kp Hi Erika. That’s brilliant to hear. Hope you enjoy Adelaide and your trip to Alice Springs!
@FromtheWindowSeat Hi Adam, we are having a wonderful time and love the ease of travelling on the trams 🚊 😀
Erika from sunny Perth 😎
@@FromtheWindowSeat how much cost in €€ (euro)
@@davorlekenik9563 Fares start at 60NZD which currently equals about 34 Euro.
If there was an American Academy Awards for a documentary, you would win a double Oscar. Loved your pop-up information graphics.
Wow. That’s a big compliment. Thank you!
I definitely agree 100%
Yes, 💯
A logie would be more fitting
Back in 1983 I spent a few months in NZ mainly staying in Auckland. I bought a 1964 Vauxhall Viva for $150 and set off on a leisurely road trip. The Wellington - Picton trip was truly beautiful and I made it all the way to Queenstown.
Before the return crossing the ferry company advised us that the weather forecast was bad. Too right !
We had to seek shelter in the Sound for 18 hours. On arrival in Wellington after over 24 hours on board, I went down to the car deck and found that the car next to me had not been chained down properly and shifted putting a couple of small dents in mine. The ferry company paid me $200 for the damage.
Happy days.
Sheesh! That is quite an experience! Not sure how I’d have coped. Thank for sharing.
As an ex Wellingtonian I loved this video. Now living in Adelaide this brings back so many memories as I used to travel this route regularly to the lovey city of Nelson 😁 Thank you Adam for also covering the Wahine disaster. As a child I was on that ferry only a few months before the disaster and still gives me the chills to think that could have been me.
On a fair weather day it is easy to feel a sense of security. However a ferry on this route in the 1990's was hit by a rouge wave and listed to over 70 degrees! It is officially recognised that Cook Strait is one of the most dangerous ferry crossings in the world. As recently as 28/01/2023 the ferry Kaitaki lost all power off the south coast of Wellington and thankfully didn't end in disaster.
For those travelling on the modern ferries, as the Cook Strait ferry route is officially a highway you will have full cellphone connection the entire route
Thanks so much for the feedback and for sharing your experiences. I can only imagine what it’s like in rough weather. While researching for this video I came across some videos of ferry crossings in rough weather … and it looked terrifying. Yes, they’ve had a few engineering issues of late with some of their ferries.
I am an ex Wellingtonian living in Adelaide too - I have driven over to Tailem Bend and then driven down the River Murray just so I could text my parents and say I had just taken the ferry to Wellington 😂
@@ianfox6106 haha! 🤣
Awesome details 👍
Excellent and well edited documentary video. I enjoy your videos very much. Also, technically they are excellent, very sharp and well stabilized. Bravo.
That's very kind of you to say - thank you!
I always enjoy your railway videos, but this is by far the very best ferry travelogue I have seen. The graphics and music enhance the excellent commentary and helped me understand the geography of the crossing, The photography absolutely captures a wonderful land and seascape I shall almost certainly never be able to see for myself. Thank you for the work that went into the production of this. 🙂
So good to hear - thank you! 🙏
Hi Adam, this is another amazing presentation by you and the quality is truly breathtaking. I sailed into and out of Picton while on a cruise on the Ovation of the Seas, and the experience was amazing. The beauty of New Zealand is something everyone should try to experience and is equal to Alaska when cruising. I can't wait for your next presentation, so please don't keep us waiting for too long.
Hi John. Wonderful to hear that - thank you! Yes, New Zealand is stunning. I’ve not been to Alaska … but hopefully one day.
Because making these videos is a hobby I have to fit around a full time job, it always takes me a while. But will get onto the next one as quickly as I can. Cheers!
Thank you Adam, throughly enjoy every moment of this amazing journey. New Zealand is beautiful and will always be a favourite destination of us Aussies.👌🏻🥰
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, New Zealand is a stunning place. 😍
I was a 7 year old boy at the time the Wahine went down, I was staying in a catholic orphanage called “Star of the Sea” which was in Seatoun up on the hill, I remember this event so well, the next day the Nuns took us children down to the sea shore to view the ship lying on its side, I felt like I could reach out and touch it. A tragic event, my thoughts to those that lost there lives. Well done on this content, most enjoyable.
Oh wow. I can only begin to imagine. Thank you for sharing. Such a sad event.
Wow
Great video. Nice to see Picton again after many many years. I travelled on the Aranui during my younger years. Stunning scenery. Great job 👍
Thank so much! Yes, it certainly is beautiful.
Hi, I took that ferry back in 2004. Scenery amazing & we were treated to a junior NZ rugby team performing the Haka just brilliant. Wonderful country. Your great video brings back treasured memories, thank you
Hi. That sounds incredible. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers.
@@FromtheWindowSeat Thanks, enjoy your travels. I am looking forward to the south island coastal train trip as that will also bring back wonderful memories. Stay safe
USA here, i follow a few NZ youtubers, sheep farmers, veggy grower, and you... first time watching a ferry crossing the sound... beautiful area.. thanks, looking forward to your trip up the coast.. 👍👍
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Um, you know Adam's Australian, right? Great to have him here from across the Ditch, promoting our beautiful Aotearoa 🇳🇿❤🇦🇺
@@sciangear4782 Yup 👍👍
Wow, you captured such a nice video. I loved the texts, graphic you inserted in video 📸. Excellent, keep travelling, keep making excellent video 📸📸📸📸
So good to hear - thank you! 🙏
Your videos make me miss my country so much. Time for a visit home. Thank you!
Happy to hear that. Hope you get home soon. Cheers!
This is up early (appears in RUclips at 6:40am). Will watch before work.
Hope you like it!
I have crossed the strait in both directions on both ferries. My Wellington to Picton trip had 4 to 5 meter seas and high barf bag usage. The return trip was stunning. I would say the Interislander is a better experience than the Blue Bridge. The Seabreeze cafe in Picton has the best NZ smoked salmon eggs Benedict I have ever tasted.
Oh wow … crossing in high seas would have been quite the experience. Good to know re Bluebridge.
Smoked salmon eggs Benedict sounds delicious … will have to try next time I visit. 😋
Very informative video. Wish I had a chance to ride the ferry when I was visiting Wellington in 2017.
Thank you!
Awesome video Adam, as usual! Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us. Have been on the ferries many many years ago and the scenery is rather spectacular indeed. Looking forward to your next video :)
Glad you liked it. Thank you!
Another really nice video. Thanks. I was born in NZ in 1950s. Left NZ for Canada in mid 1960s. We took the ferry between North Island and South Island many times in the about 12 years I lived in Kiwi land (one set of grandparents lived in Christchurch). In those days the ferry from Wellington to Lyttleton (Christchurch) and back was basically a way to get from A to B. It wasn't fancy. And it sailed overnight. We kids loved it. But around 1964 ish, we sailed across the strait in one of the worst storms they'd had. (That was before the Wahine disaster). We all got violently seasick, very unusual for us as we had good sea legs. Half the staff were also seasick. We sailed on either the Rangitira (#1) or the Hinemoa. Apparently I went to Picton with Mom and Dad when I was about 3 years old, but I don't remember it. It's interesting to see how much things have changed over the years. Thanks for sharing your videos. I highly doubt I (and my husband) will ever get to NZ again, so I enjoy these opportunities to armchair travel.
Oh wow - that sounds like a treacherous and awful crossing. I’ve seen more recent videos of Interislander ferries in bad seas and am very grateful to have had fine weather on my crossing. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
A great show about New Zealand Railways is called Destinations 24 hours in the life of New Zealand Railways made in 1980 by the New Zealand National Film Unit
Sounds good. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your amazing and well done videos. Cheers🍻✌️👍
Glad you like them. Thank you! 🙏
Your videos are great, so much relevant info and a beautiful voice. Top quality- thanks!
Wonderful to hear - thank you!
Thank you, brings back wonderful memories. Have been both ways several times.
Wonderful to hear. Thank you!
Great video! It brought back a lot of memories to when I did this journey. Sadly, I didn't have the same nice weather. It was just awful. Nevertheless, it was a great experience. I look forward to your next video since that is exactly what I did after the ferry too!
Thank you! Yes, I’ve seen a few videos during rough weather and am very glad I didn’t experience that. 🤢
Really nice video work. I’m headed to NewZealand next year and the ferry just got added to my ‘must do’ list thanks to your video. Much appreciated.
Wonderful to hear. Enjoy!
Lovely video. It was like taking a teal life cruise across the strait. In my next visit I would like to take the rental car on to the ferry and drive on from the landing point.
Thanks so much! Yes, taking a car on the ferry would be handy.
Mate, what a great video. Well done!
Thanks so much!
Beautiful and well informed RUclips video I came 😊
Thank you!
Your In flight commentary is so informative, scenery is superb, only matched by your choice of checked shirts. I remember Wahine Day, so well. April 11 1968.
Thank you! I have a whole wardrobe of checked shirts. Haha!
Great video Adam as always very informative and interesting. Loved the change of pace water instead of rails. As always thanks for your time and effort 👌
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for your kind words. 🙏
Excellent video with lots of detail and anecdotes. Good song too.
Really appreciate that - thank you!
Worth the wait, Great Video!
Can't wait for the Coastal Pacific.
Thank you! Need to get onto editing that soon.
another awesome video - thank you! watching this is a great way to start my weekend ⛴️
Wonderful to hear - thank you!
Loved it brought back memories of the 60s doing the overnight one shared cabin and all
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I wish you could have travelled on The Arahura before she retired from service. My Favourite Ship.
Thanks so much! Sounds like that would have been a great experience.
Have you watched Going South? It was screened as a 24 hour video of traveling on the mostly railway from Auckland to south pole. Amazing.
I haven’t … but it sounds intriguing. Cheers!
It is called Go South and ends on a boat heading out into Tasman Sea from Milford Sound 😊 An AMAZINGLY beautiful journey, especially the South Island ❤
Kia ora.
I was born in Picton and lived on Arapaoa Island as a child.❤
Lovely to see❤
Cheers from Queensland
Kia ora! Wonderful … beautiful part of the world.
Well Done Adam...absolutely amazing video it would defiantly have to be the best one that my wife and have seen for a long time..cheers.
That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you! 🙏
Another Brilliant Production Adam ... You wouldn't believe this. I was watching one of your vlogs last night & I was going to suggest to you to do a vlog on a Ship ... & I wake up this morning to find you've uploaded one on a Ferry. Maybe one day you can do one on a Cruise Liner ... I've done several on Princess Cruise Lines I'm sure you'd love it! Cheers mate 👍😎🤙 Beanie (Brisbane)
Thanks Beanie. Great to hear. I’ve never been on a cruise … but maybe one day. 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat I'm going on a Silverseas Expedition Ship to the Antarctic in December ... I love your channel mate keep up the good work 👍
Great review I love how informative your videos are :)
Great to hear that. Thank you!
A great trip,…with the added excitement of wondering if the ship will make it….I do it regularly and I’m NOT kidding, it’s a joke.
Thanks! Yes, I’ve heard the service has been a bit precarious lately.
This was great to watch thank you so much for such a great video
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
I travelled on the "Wahine" several times, she was my favourite ship, less than two years old when she sank in 1968, in a hurricane. Sixteen years earler, at the age of four I crossed the Tasman on board the M/V Wanganella, which in early 1947 had also gone aground on Barrett's Reef, but without sinking. I did the trip to Picton once or twice on the M/V Aramoana, the first of the rail-road ferries. It's a pity that the overnight ferries between Wellington and Lyttleton are long gone, almost fifty years now, since the Marlborough Sounds route, while beautiful, is quite dangerous and the wakes of the ferries cause damage to the shore, precluding the use of fast ferries such as the 36-knot Austal trimarans on which I have had pleasant trips (e.g. HSC Benchijigua Express, upon which the US Navy's littoral combat Independence-class ships are based).
Given the very expensive conundrums now facing the interisland service, I really do think that the Lyttleton option should be re-investigated (the Wahine, Maori and Rangatira were operated by the Union Steamship Company, not NZR). Surely it would be a "greener" option, delivering people, vehicles and trains to the more conveniently located Christchurch in the middle of the South Island. Smaller ships to Picton would serve Nelson and Blenheim, not requiring the expensive new facilities needed in Picton by large new ferries.
The new National-led government has cancelled replacements for this and the other Interisland ferries, together with port redevelopment in Wellington and Picton.
Thanks for sharing all that information and your experiences. Very interesting!
Did this run on the Kaitaki back in 2013…with a Kea camper. Was excellent.
Oh cool. Cheers!
Awesome video mate.....I sailed on that ferry in 2019 from Picton to Wellington which was my first time ever and loved it.....although as we got further into the straight, it got rougher but I'd do it all again.....
Thank you! I was lucky to have a really smooth sailing. 😃
Another fantastic video. Just giving it a rewatch. I always look forward to your videos. They are so well done and you put a great deal of effort into your research. I know it's not always easy for you to get out and make these, living and working in Adelaide, but your work is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much. Wonderful to hear the time that goes into them, pays off. 🙏
Excellent video. Glad your crossing was smooth , albeit windy !🤣
I have only ever done it once . From Picton to Wellington way back in 1976. The ferry then accomdated the tour bus we were on , doing a 3 camping your of both islands. I don't remember much, except the ferry didn't rock much, so I guess our crossing was smooth too.
It's amazing scenery.
Hubby and I didn't believe that Wellington is the capital city closest to the South Pole, we were sure it was Hobart or somewhere in South America !....
So that was a pretty amazing fact to learn.
Thankyou
Thank you - glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the scenery is beautiful … but then so is most of New Zealand.
I believe Hobart may be more southerly than Wellington but Hobart is only a state capital rather than a country’s capital, so wouldn’t be included in the comparison. 🤔
@@FromtheWindowSeat we actually had to Google it....and it's Wellington for 😃
Hi from California! Adam, thank you for the book early advice. I didn't get the dates I wanted, and had to swap out the train for the bus down to Christchurch. I can't believe my preferred dates/times in October, seven months out, are already sold out! I'm about to book the Tranzalpine too if I can.
Glad the advice was helpful. I guess the other challenge with the Coastal Pacific is that only runs four days a week for part of the year, so that is a limiting factor too. Yes, definitely worth taking the TranzAlpine!
We travelled on Bluebridge recently and you can do so with a vehicle or as a foot passenger too!
Great to know. Cheers!
Think I was on the last ferry back to the North Island in 2020 during Covid!, ended up in New Plymouth. Returning in October, so will do it again (hopefully no Covid this time!). I also travelled to Picton on the Kaiarahi! Thanks for the memories!
Oh nice, something to look forward to!
Took this ferry both ways last October. Amazing scenery throughout. From uk.
Great to hear. ☺️
Great video, as a regular user of the cook strait sailing, you are right on the money, thanks for sharing
Thanks so much! 🙏
Travelled on this short Route across the Strait to Wellington So beautiful on all sides
It really is. Cheers!
Bravo that was a packed video with everything you could possibly want to know !!! Bravo !!
Did you ever nail this one...👏👏👏
You are one the best 'You Tubers' around ...:):):)
Thanks so much Harry. Wonderful to get that feedback. ☺️
Thank you. You are such great embassador for NZ. I will make a trip with my family one day.
Happy to hear that! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Thank you! A mini vacation and fodder for travel dreams
Glad it helped. ☺️
That was good, as always. We took the ferry trip with a campervan in 1983 and I have no memory of it really, aside from trolley buses in Wellington. I'll just remark, the music is quite loud compared to the volume of you speaking, so I am up and down with the remote sound button, as my partner naps in the afternoon when I usually watch your vids on the lounge room tv. We have caught the historic train from Dunedin to the Taieri Gorge and that was a great train experience.
Thank you! You should be able to reduce the dynamic range on your tv which would prevent the music (in anything you watch) becoming so loud and waking your partner. 😉
I’d love to try the train from Dunedin one day.
Thanks to this I just found out that Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania is a fjord! Thank you for an excellent video, must come back to NZ sometime soon.
Well there you go. I didn’t know that either. 😀
Very nice pics of seen in NZL by you, Thanks
Thank you!
This makes me want to travel to New Zealand one day. I don't know if I will ever get there but I feel like I have taken the ferry. Thanks for chronicling it. 😁
Yes, it’s a beautiful place and definitely worth the trip. Cheers!
Always miss home. Picton Marlborough..
.
Beautiful! 😍
Very informative
Well presented
Going there in October
Gathering all info possible
Thank you very much
Wonderful to hear - thank you! I believe they’ve had a ferry out is service for repairs lately but hopefully it’s back to normal by the time you go.
@@FromtheWindowSeat
Appreciate
Will find out
Tkc
youve certainly twisted my arm, adam.. another trip to add to the list! 👌
I’m glad to hear that. Enjoy! ⛴️
Wow what a beautiful site i have ever seen in my life....
Yes, it’s beautiful. 😍
Thanks Adam, lovely but have done some rough trips.
Yes, I’ve heard it can be rough. That would be a very different experience.
just a shame you didn't get any footage of the western view if the Queen Charlotte Sound, at the point you enter the sounds, to the right that bush to the north is over 150 years old, Resolution bay where they (Captain Cook) refitted the HMS Resolution 150 years ago is around the corner to the right, you can get a ferry out to the beginning (end) of the Queen Charlotte Track, and the famous (in yachting circles) Endeavour Inlet immediately before that, with sleeping quarters, pub and hotel are, also named afterwhere the Endeavour was refitted 150 years ago. Note that 150 years ago, the Maori communities were located across the sounds at the point where the ferry enters the sounds at the current day
Oh right. Thanks for sharing all that detail. Good to know!
Excellent informative video thank you
Thanks so much!
I found this so good thanks I have done it before really good content
Thanks so much!
That looks a lovely steak pie m8 cheaper than the train how much was the train journey down thanks for the video John uk 😊
Yes, it was yummy. The Northern Explorer was about $220 NZD. Cheers! 😊
I love that Adam has the Aratere on the video thumbnail, in my personal opinion, she is the most beautiful of the three. 🎉
Cheers - yes, she is a beauty!
Really enjoyed this, Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Very cool documentary 🎉
Thank you!
Great video! I used to work on all three ferries from 2016 until 2022.
Btw, the unclear word during the safety announcement was "notices"
Thank you!
Ah yes, notices - of course. Thanks!
Wahine ... my Dad was one of many who went to the Harbour to help survivors. It was very sad. I was only a wee girl at the time.
I can only imagine. So sad.
@@FromtheWindowSeat ❤️
You can walk on to this too. If u don't have a car or van.
Great for backpackers. Awesome views. There are 2 brands. Of boats. Bluebridge is great
Yes, I walked on. Might try Bluebridge next time. 🤔
Awesome video mate!
Thank you!
Another really good trip is the mail run around all the bays.
That sounds amazing!
16:07 I wonder how many cellphones line the bottom of the Marlborough Sounds? 😅😅
Ha! A few, I imagine. 😂
How much did you pay and how long is the travel? Are the food free? Ty for your videos
The fare is covered at 23:06 in the video. The journey is about three hours (but subject to the weather). Food is not included … you buy on board (although there is a premium lounge you can buy entry to which includes food).
Love your videos Adam!
Thank you!
I have been to Picton and they are upgrading the ferry terminals in Picton for the bigger ferry’s in 2025 and blue bridge has a new ferry two l have been on the one that carry’s the train 😊
Yes, will be exciting to check it out when complete. 🤔
Your videos are Amazing Adam
Thank you! 🙏
It certainly is! Cheers from Oz!
Thanks!
Rather like Stranraer (now Cairnryan) to Larne (now Belfast), not necessarily in terms of scenery but with the beginning and end of the crossing being at the end of lochs and a fairly short, but often stormy, open sea crossing - and also the scene of a famous ferry disaster (Princess Victoria in 1953)
I’ve never taken that ferry but sounds interesting.
The onboard facilities don't look at all bad for a vessel of her age that was primarily designed as a freight ferry on a fairly short crossing. I suppose she was refurbished internally when they acquired her
Yes, the facilities are quite good considering. I think it’s been refurbished a few times. 🤔
Have you done a video on the Spirit of Tasmania also?
No, not yet. I was hoping to make one when the new ferries enter service … but they keep getting delayed.
It was weird seeing an Australian holding a knife in his left hand and a fork it the right. When I was in Melbourne, everyone held their cutlery like we do in Europe - fork in the left hand to hold the food down while cutting with the right.
Ah, yes - I somehow picked up this habit in childhood and it stuck. 🤔
I feel like if you pick things up with your right, wouldnt you have the fork in the right hand too? 😅
@@ctaigawhanau It comes down to whether you use that hand for cutting or picking things up. Cutting tough meat is hard.
Would you ever think of doing a patreon or something similar
I’d certainly consider it. Currently making these video is a hobby (I have a full time job).
You are an incredible bloke..
Thank you! ☺️
Picton named after General Picton who was killed at Waterloo 1815 ?? .
Wahine was built on the Clyde here in Scotland and was just newly delivered ....
Ah yes - that’s right re Picton. Didn’t know the Wahine was built in Scotland. Thanks for sharing!
@@FromtheWindowSeat No worries
Why dont they built a bridge across the two islands, just curious.
Because of the geology and the fact NZ is on a fault, I believe it would be prohibitively expensive. There’s an article about it here: i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/101061154/is-it-time-for-a-cook-strait-bridge-or-tunnel
there's not enough population in New Zealand to spend multiple billions of dollars on a bridge. and yeah as the uploader said it has a risk of being on a fault line which means earthquakes, plus the fact the seas can be really rough so good luck with construction.
how long does it take for you to edit a travel video?
It varies a lot (depending on how long the actual trip was / how much footage I have / how much extra detail I add - such as sourcing historic footage etc). This is also a hobby … so has to fit around a full time job. On average it takes me 3-4 weeks per video. In terms of hours, I’d be guessing … but I’d say close to 25 - 38 hours (so equivalent to up to a full week’s work). 🤔
Those dead, grey or brown trees in the Sounds are the work of the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust who has spent millions of dollars and thousands of hours killing the wilding pines (mostly Radiata) that have spread from those pine plantations that you saw into the native bush where they eventually take over completely. Sadly forestry should never have been allowed in this beautiful area.
I didn’t know that. Thank you for sharing! It’s incredible the damage introduced species can do (such as the possums in NZ).
The ferry trip is great but at the moment the Wellington/Picton ferry services are so unreliable I would not recommend them to anyone. They could seriously mess up your travel plans. Suggest you read the NZ news about ferry breakdowns and cancellations.
Thank you for the feedback. I recorded this video in October 2022 and it is based on my experience at the time (which was good). But yes, I have heard the ferries are currently unreliable. Have pinned a comment to acknowledge this. Cheers.
is this for real two ferry companies and all their ships break down leaving people stranded up to a month yeah wonderful trip from wellington to picton i must say
Sorry to hear that. My video was based on my own experience (which was good) but appreciate there have been a lot of issues of late.
@@FromtheWindowSeat its pretty third world country for having both ferry companies with issues nearly every week they ordered new ferries one place but not here till 2025
The ferry next to you is the one l went on😊
Oh cool. ☺️
watching the review from Facebook
cool!
The 2024 update.. the plan for 2 new ferries, for which construction was about to start, has been cancelled because of massive cost overruns.. Kiwi Rail, the owner / operators of The Interlslander ferry service, is essentially a government department so as such suffered all the problems of government business ownership!
Between bad weather, mechanical problems, staffing problems etc, the interlslander service suffers quite poor % availability rate…
Yes, I heard about this on the news. Seems a pretty dire situation.
Did anyone else spot the TV in the forward viewing lounge? Who takes one of the most beautiful ferry trips on the planet only to watch TV?
Fair call. Although I guess the weather isn't always so accommodating. :)
My two sisters work on the kaiarahi
Oh cool 👌
Is this ferry handicapped accessible?
I believe so. You can find out more here:
www.interislander.co.nz/plan/accessibility