{"id":3503,"date":"2024-02-09T10:57:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T02:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meowtainpeople.com\/?p=3503"},"modified":"2024-02-12T10:39:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T02:39:35","slug":"new-zealand-east-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/meowtainpeople.com\/zh\/new-zealand-east-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand South Island East Coast Travel Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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After spending around four months in the North Island, I was up and ready to move over to New Zealand\u2019s South Island (and ended up working and staying there for nearly a year before moving back to the North Island for the remaining two months of my\u00a0<\/span>New Zealand Working Holiday<\/a>\u00a0program).<\/span><\/p>

My plan was to drive all the way down to the bottom of South Island through the East Coast, stopping at various places of interest and hiking\/tramping spots, then head up inland to settle down near Queenstown, as it is the nearest middle point to many hiking spots I plan to go.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Ferry Between New Zealand\u2019s North And South Island<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To travel between North Island and South Island, you can either take a flight or take a ferry. There are only two passenger ferry operators that run between North (Wellington) and South Island (Picton)\u00a0 across Cook Strait: <\/span>Interislander<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Bluebridge<\/span><\/a>. For the both times I traveled between the islands, I took Interislander because I am using my Top 10 Membership to receive a 15% discount for my ferry fares.<\/span><\/p>

The nights before my ferry departure, I stayed in <\/span>The Cambridge Hotel<\/span><\/a> in Wellington (free street parking from 8pm to 8am), and the very cozy <\/span>Tombstone Motel<\/span><\/a> (free onsite parking, free breakfast with freshly baked scones!) in Picton, where they are just a few minutes drive to the ferry terminal.<\/span><\/p>

If you are going to take the ferry to travel between North and South Island with a vehicle, I recommend signing up for <\/span>Top 10 Membership<\/span><\/a> to get discounts for your ferry booking. The membership grants you 15-17% discount on your <\/span>Interislander Ferry<\/span><\/a> fare (subject to change). While the two-year membership cost me $55 to sign up, I received a total of $70 discount from the two ferry bookings I made. In addition, there are various membership benefits with Top 10, such as discounts and free gifts from tours, activities and restaurants. You also get discounts when staying at the Top 10 Holiday Parks. However, if you are not planning to take the ferry more than once, or if you are taking the ferry without a car, you can skip this membership.<\/span><\/p>

Magnificent views from the top deck of the ship:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Remember to take some windproof or warm jackets with you to keep the cold from stopping you enjoying the precious views!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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