The ferries you're most likely to use are those plying the Cook Strait between the North and South islands, but there are also ferries to Stewart Island from the South Island and from Auckland across the Hauraki Gulf and over to Coromandel. Information about these short ferry trips is included in our accounts on Invercargill and Auckland .

The Interislander fleet that shuttles between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the South Island consists of three ferries and the quicker wave-piercing catamaran called the Lynx (nicknamed the Vomit Comet, for all-too-obvious reasons). These days they have stiff competition from the smooth ride of the even faster catamaran, Topcat , which along with other planned carriers means the prices stay down. All the ferries run seven days a week year-round, take around three hours, are very reliable and surprisingly comfortable in most conditions. The standard fare is around $46 one-way, though this can be reduced by as much as half if you book in advance or take a night or early morning crossing; add $10 each way for a bike, $140 for a car. The Lynx operates between Wellington and Picton from December to April, but is cancelled if the swell is greater than half a metre (the other ferries keep running). Topcat 's wave-piercing technology makes it less susceptible to bad weather and it runs most of the time.

Reservations can be made for both Interislander services at travel agents or by phone or fax (tel 0800/802 802, fax 0800/101 525); you'll generally get the best deal by booking direct. Reservations for the Topcat are on tel 0800/486 7228.