Interislander?

[Badgerclarke]

Me and the missis are going down to Christchurch in a few weeks to see the family and I thought I might use it as an excuse to take the bike and explore further afield. Can't believe it's going to be cheaper for her to return fly than it is for me to do a return on the ferry!

Any tips on finding cheap fares guys? They also say that I should take my own tie downs, is that right?

[Jantar]

Generally you will need your own tie downs. There are a few provided on the Aratika, but I wouldn't use them.

Try Bluebridge as they have a single fare all year round and don't ramp it up and down to suit during peak times.

[Gremlin]

Definitely take your own tie downs, and know your tie down points on your bike. Tie the bike yourself. Some of the tie downs on the ferries look OK, until you load them (just pull with your arms) and then they don't actually work.

Fares, there are group ones organised, but they are for certain dates, related to rides, and I don't know of any for after 20 March.

Enjoy, the South Island is stunning.

[Hans]

+1000 for Bluebridge. Nice guys who did a lot of good things for CHCH in their time of need.

[Grubber]

+1000 for Bluebridge. Nice guys who did a lot of good things for CHCH in their time of need.

Yup,i'm with you on this one. I've done both NZ rail and Bluebridge and i will stick with Bluebridge from now on.
Plus they got this fancy new boat now.
The staff are awesome and very helpful.

[ukusa]

Enjoy, the South Island is stunning.
agree, hope you have a trail bike for the Ch-Ch streets though.

[FJRider]

agree, hope you have a trail bike for the Ch-Ch streets though.

Or at least dual purpose tyres may be helpful ... and a small amount of extra vibration may be noticed in the city ... :innocent:

[Taz]

+257 for Bluebridge. Last time I took the interislander as the timing suited better, It was a night sailing after riding my sisters SR250 from waiuku to wellington in the rain and hail and they had half the boat closed off including the part with the comfy seats and the bar!! They said they didn't put on enough staff to open the lounge?? Interislander won't be getting my buisness again.

[Mungatoke Mad]

Bluebridge

[Kickaha]

Whatever is most convenient, it's just 3 wasted hours no matter what boat you take

[Stylo]

Definitely take your own tie downs, and know your tie down points on your bike. Tie the bike yourself. Some of the tie downs on the ferries look OK, until you load them (just pull with your arms) and then they don't actually work.

Fares, there are group ones organised, but they are for certain dates, related to rides, and I don't know of any for after 20 March.

Enjoy, the South Island is stunning.

Thanks for reminding me about the tie downs, I'm in Ch Ch and need to strap my Bike down nice and tight for the forecast earthquake on the 20th or thereabouts :nono:

Last quake on the 22nd Feb merely moved the Busa, on it's stand , about 1.5 meters across the garage to hit the wall, never fell down and ...I'm the lucky one. woo hoo. No damage thankfully

Enjoy your SI trip mate...

[240]

Ive traveled on the interislander many times and all good.
One thing though,if you can, get on the Kaitaki and not the Aratika or Arahura as motorbikes are right at the front of the load area so you are first off which is real good.
Also as mentioned before take your own tie downs.When you tie it down leave your stand up use two at the front and one around the rear wheel just in case it roughs up.
I will try Bluebridge my next trip though as everyone seems to say its real good.
Enjoy it mate I can't wait for my next trip either!:woohoo:

[Flip]

I once went on the Bluebridge, as an ex chief engineer it gave me the shits. I walked onto the thing and the first thing I noticed was the corrosion in the superstructure and that half the bolts were missing from almost every man-hole and service access panel. I believe it was a death trap, the marine surveyors must have been blind. I have heard that they have a new one, well for me once was enough.

[Badgerclarke]

Leave the side stand up??? When I've been on euro ferries I've used the side stand with one strap across the seat as there is a securing point on the floor of the boat either side of the bike. The loaders usually do it for you. So how do you guys secure your bike?

Wife is in ChCh at the moment, she said it might be a struggle on the roads too. I'm not planning on riding around the city, just need to get to Spreydon and Opawa. Just have to take it easy on the Predator I guess?

Cheers for the input guys.

[Flip]

You will have no problems. The roads are a bit munted, watch out for slumps, bumps and stay away from manholes as they are often higher than the surrounding roads now days. I ride my shit bag harley around with no probs.

[kerryhare]

We are heading to the North Island in November leaving Christchurch to get to Invercargill for the Burt via Cape Reinga. Have been looking at the ferry and deciding which one to book.

[FJRider]

Taking the long way ... huh ... :lol:

The only way ... for a true biker to go :2thumbsup

[_STAIN_]

Go Bluebridge, friendly staff and show 2 free movies. Pay to see movie on other boat.

[Gremlin]

The loaders usually do it for you. So how do you guys secure your bike?
I don't let the loaders touch my bike. Two on the front, one each for the forks, going forward and out. Wheel chock in front of front wheel, in gear. One tie down looped through the rear wheel, just to stop the arse sliding around if it got real bad. Pretty much like a trailer tie down, and no ferry should reach the level of strain akin to a trailer bouncing around. Even with 300kg of adventure bike and luggage, she's rock solid.


Go Bluebridge, friendly staff and show 2 free movies. Pay to see movie on other boat.
Interislander even topped that one sailing. We left Picton 3 hours late, so they had already shown their normal movie (paid of course). I chuckled, as people would walk out, and find they are still in Picton :lol: So the Interislander put another movie on... paid.... noice.

[Metastable]

.... Two on the front, one each for the forks, going forward and out. Wheel chock in front of front wheel, in gear. One tie down looped through the rear wheel, just to stop the arse sliding around if it got real bad. Pretty much like a trailer tie down.....

I agree with this.

If you have the ability to have a wheel chock, throw one down, strap the two front straps down and forwards. Put it in gear. You can do 1 across the back to prevent it from bouncing (either seat or rear wheel). I usually get a long strap, tie it down to the side and behind the bike, loop it all the way around the cross section of the tire and out the other side with a bit of a pull behind/side of the bike again. I never put my side stand down.

Been on the Interislander twice, it was a pleasant enough experience.

[Badgerclarke]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Sorry for the dimness but when you talk about chocks do you mean a wooden chock that you carry with you or is there some sort of chock on the boat to hold the front wheel and bike upright?:scratch:

[Jantar]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Sorry for the dimness but when you talk about chocks do you mean a wooden chock that you carry with you or is there some sort of chock on the boat to hold the front wheel and bike upright?:scratch:
They supply heavy rubber chocks.