Cruising to NZ

I am curious to know. Has anyone had actual experience sailing to NZ?
How long and how difficult was it/is it to go from Melbourne and the nearest suitable point on the South Island.

I know of course it's easily done(in relative terms) but has anyone here actually done it? What sort of boat? how big, time factor , problems etc.

Mychael

 

Mychael

You only really have a choice of Nelson or Invercargill
Winter crossings are miserable with a high percentage of gales and a large southern ocean swell tends to be apparent in the southern part of the Tasman sea. It is probably not the best first ocean crossing. We ended up on one trip at 50 degrees south after running for 4 days before a nasty gale and giant seas. Utterly exausted sick and miserable. Then to sail back north and in to Dunedin where it rained and blew for the following 2 weeks!

Most yachts go well north then down the North Island East coast sailing around Auckland is nice too.

Nelson is the better option to clear into as a cruising destination in the South and warmer to boot. Takaka and Abel Tasman area are beautiful.

In Invercargill the port is at Bluff and the tide at the heads is very fast so you need to stand off and go in with a favourable tide.

The Fiordland sounds are fantastic, lots of biting small insects (sandflies) but from Australia you have to clear into Invercargill then sail back West to cruise. Best to avoid the west coast north of the sounds as its all rocky lee shore. stand well off the West coast, much better shelter to the east. We found a good engine was a must sailing around the South Island.

Russel radio (HF) is a great boon with personalised forcasts etc.

We have a 45 foot 16 tonne well found sloop fin keel skeg rudder. Often have blue water over the decks in the Tasman.


Hope this helps.... I have lots of info if you want. What sort of vessel were you thinking of sailing in and what did you want to see?

 

Hi Mike, Thanks for the information.
I am actually "flying" to N.Z next month, going to Bluff as a matter of fact to see the girlfriends in-laws.
I doubt my boat would be a choice to make the trip, being a Cole 26. However I was interested to hear of others experiences. The distance (again relative) from Australia to N.Z does not seem huge.

Thanks for your reply.
Mychael