CAMPING THE KIWI WAY

As Mainlanders, living in Blenheim we decided, part way thru 2024, to try a ferry crossing with car and caravan and go to an APCNZ event in the North Island.

We visited the events tab, both on APCNZ website and on the Facebook pages, with a final decision to go to the Whanganui Vintage Weekend January 2025.

After several attempts to make the booking thru both the Bluebridge website and the link on APCNZ website, we made the booking with the appropriate APCNZ discount code and saved over $400 on the return trip for the 5m car, 6m caravan, and 2 passengers,.

We were first time ferry travellers with spouse, car and caravan (sadly now no longer with a pet, as was supposed to be, at the outset).

The marshal yards either side of the strait were an easy layout, with easy check-in and a coffee cart on the Picton side (you had to leave the yards and cross the road in Wellington), or use your caravan or camper to rest up while you wait.

The facilities on the Bluebridge (Strait Ferona) were comfortable and varied and the onboard cooked menu options were a delightful treat served on real crockery with stainless steel utensils.

The faster, busier pace straight off the ferry in Wellington was a little stressful after enjoying a slower calmer pace both in the top of the south and the South Island in general.

The South Island from the North Island

On the other side

Was it worth it? Indeed. Would we do it again? Looking forward to it.