Ferries from Australia to New Zealand
It's not possible to sail directly from Australia to New Zealand, but you can find internal New Zealand crossings in the booking module.
Ferry from Australia to New Zealand: Can You Travel by Ferry, and How?
Is There a Ferry from Australia to New Zealand?
Before diving into the details, itβs worth noting that this question is surprisingly commonβover 2,200 people search for answers to this topic every month. If youβre among them, youβre in the right place! Hereβs everything weβve researched and collected to clarify the situation.
Is There a Ferry Service Between Australia and New Zealand?
Currently, no ferry service operates between Australia and New Zealand. Despite what some might claim, the idea of such a route being “impossible” due to the distance is inaccurate. For example, the Alaska Marine Highway System in the United States covers a coastline of over 5,630 miles (9,060 km), proving that long-distance ferry routes are indeed feasible.
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Ferry maps for Australia & New Zealand
Is the Tasman Sea Too Rough for a Ferry?
The Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand, is no more challenging than other regions where ferry services operate. For instance, the Bass Strait, separating Tasmania and mainland Australia, is notoriously rough yet hosts a successful daily ferry serviceβthe Spirit of Tasmania. This ferry runs between Geelong (Victoria) and Devonport (Tasmania), easily handling substantial waves and turbulent waters.
While no current ferry services connect Australia to New Zealand, the possibility isnβt ruled out by geography or technology. Perhaps one day, we might see such a route established!
Why Are There No Ferries Between Australia and New Zealand?
There are two main reasons why ferry services between Australia and New Zealand donβt exist:
Air Travel and Car Hire Are Cheaper
Flying between Australia and New Zealand 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, making a ferry service less appealing.The Distance Makes It Expensive
The distance between the two countries is significantβabout 2,155 km (1,339 miles) from Sydney to Auckland. Operating a ferry over such a long route would be costly, and ticket prices or car transport fees could reach $3,000 or more. This makes it hard to attract enough passengers to make the service financially viable.
Can You Transport a Car from Australia to New Zealand?
While you canβt take your car on a ferry, shipping it in a container is possible. However, organizing this can be challenging. Fortunately, some companies specialize in shipping vehicles between Australia and New Zealand, including:
- Shipafreight.com
- Icecargo.com
- BCR.com
These services can help with logistics, paperwork, and ensuring your car arrives safely. Although theyβre not as convenient as a ferry, theyβre an option if you need to transport your vehicle.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Between Australia and New Zealand?
Shipping ocean freight from Australia to New Zealand can take anywhere from 13 to 37 days, depending on the route and whether you choose Less than Container Load (LCL) or Full Container Load (FCL).
Here are some example routes and transit times:
- Brisbane to Lyttelton: 26 days (LCL)
- Brisbane to Wellington: 14 days (LCL)
- Fremantle to Auckland: 26 days (FCL), 17 days (LCL)
- Fremantle to Lyttelton: 37 days (FCL), 20 days (LCL)
- Melbourne to Auckland: 34 days (FCL), 13 days (LCL)
- Melbourne to Christchurch: 22 days (LCL)
- Sydney to Auckland: 37 days (FCL), 13 days (LCL)
Traveling by Boat as a Passenger
For passengers, reaching New Zealand by boat is possible but usually means booking a cruise ship, which can be costly. Many cruise lines traveling the South Pacific include routes between Australia and New Zealand. However, you wonβt find ferries operating this routeβcruise ships are the only option.
Here are a few cruise lines offering trips between the two countries:
- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
- Celebrity Cruises
- Princess Cruises
Can You Travel on a Cargo Ship?
While the idea of traveling on a cargo ship might sound adventurous and budget-friendly, the reality is far more complicated:
- Administrative Hassle: Unlike ferries, passengers on cargo ships are rare, meaning the process can be slow and cumbersome.
- Cost: These trips are often more expensive than expected, with few budget-friendly options.
- Limited Availability: Many connections were disrupted during COVID-19, and services have yet to fully recover.
- Captain's Authority: While it may seem fun, the captain has complete control over passenger conditions, and not all captains are accommodating.
For these reasons, traveling by cargo ship is usually not recommended.
Was There Ever a Ferry Connection Between Australia and New Zealand?
No, there has never been a regular ferry connection between the two countries. While cruise ships have connected Australia and New Zealand as part of their broader Indo-Pacific routes, a dedicated ferry service has never existedβand it likely never will.
Not That Busy Between Australia and New Zealand
If you explore Vesselfinder, you'll notice that the shipping traffic between Australia and New Zealand is relatively sparse. On the map, purple icons represent smaller vessels, while yellow icons indicate cargo ships. Most maritime activity in the region occurs between New Zealandβs Picton and Wellington rather than across the Tasman Sea.
The ferry would only be handy if you want to migrate or move and when you want to transfer all your stuff and be on the same boat.
Hi Meg,
Yes that could be one reason for usage, (There are also companies who do this for you) but it won't be enough to get a ferry going between NZ and AU if that's your only target market π
Let's be honest here: There will be never be a regular ferry connecting NZ with AU.
If 2200 people per month are googling about the possible existence of this route, I cant see why they won't put on a few ferries a month.
Hi Tyrone,
I think those 2200 are not nearly enough compared to what is needed to get this going. Demand has to be ‘immense' if you want this ferry to run.
https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/explore-stories/stories/film/70-years-ago-wanganella-strikes-rocks-in-wellington-harbour/#:~:text=Coming%20into%20port%20at%2011.30,were%20rescued%20the%20next%20day.