Wellington Harbour Ferry
The Wellington Harbour Ferry (QDF) ferry operates seven days a week, running between Days Bay and Queens Wharf in central Wellington, with some services also travelling to Mātiu/Somes Island.
Passengers travelling between Days Bay and Queens Wharf can purchase tickets either at the Queens Wharf ticket office or on board the ferry, with payment accepted by EFTPOS, contactless cards, or credit cards.
Passengers wishing to visit Mātiu/Somes Island must book their tickets in advance, which can be done online through the East by West Ferries website at eastbywest.co.nz(external link).
Please see detailed information about tickets and fares when travelling on the ferry below.
Address
Meridian Building (Waterside)(external link)
55 Lady Elizabeth Lane, Queens Wharf, Wellington
Opening hours:
9am - 3pm on weekdays for ticket sales and closed weekends during winter.
Travelling between Days Bay and Queens Wharf
There are limitations to ferry access for passengers using mobility aids or requiring assistance. Please phone East By West ferries on 04 499 1282 or email info@eastbywest.co.nz before travelling.
Bikes and dogs on leads are permitted on the ferry between Queens Wharf and Days Bay, but must remain on the upper deck.
Please be ready for boarding 10 minutes prior to any departure.
Tickets and Fares for trips between Days Bay and Queens Wharf until 15 May
You can pay for ferry trips between Days Bay and Queens Wharf either on board or at the East by West ticket office at Queens Wharf using EFTPOS, credit card, or debit card.
On weekdays, tickets for the 10:00am and 12:00pm sailings from Queens Wharf must be purchased at the ticket office at least 30 minutes before departure. Ticket sales close 10 minutes before departure.
At all other times—and for all departures from Days Bay—tickets can be purchased on board using EFTPOS or credit card.
A 1.5% surcharge applies to payments made by credit card or contactless debit card.
Snapper cards and cash are not accepted.
| Ticket type | Adult | Child | Accessible | Tertiary | Connect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-way | $16.00 | $8.00 | $8.00 | N/A | $8.00 |
| 10-trip | $107.00 | $53.50 | $53.50 | $80.00 | $53.50 |
*10-trip tickets cannot be used for more than 2 people at a time.
*SuperGold card holders travel for free during off-peak hours.
SuperGold Card Concession
- SuperGold cardholders(external link) travel free between 9am - 3pm and after 6.30pm Monday - Friday and all day weekends and public holidays (off-peak hours(external link)).
- SuperGold card holders still need collect a ticket from the ticket office if it is open or from the on-board staff.
Child Concession
- Children under 5 travel free.
- Child fares are 50% of adult fares and apply to all school aged children entitled to Metlink Child Concession.
- High school students will need to present high school ID to staff on-board the ferry.
Accessible Concession (Total Mobility cardholders and Blind Low Vision members)
- Accessible fares are 50% of adult fares for passengers entitled to the Metlink Accessible concession.
- Passengers must present their Te Hunga Whaikaha Total Mobility card or Blind Low Vision NZ membership card to staff on-board the ferry.
- One carer travels for free with the passenger using an accessible concession.
Community Connect Concession
- Connect fares are 50% of adult fares for passengers entitled to the Metlink Community Connect concession with a Community Services Card (CSC).
- Passengers must present a valid Community Services Card to staff on-board the ferry.
Tertiary Concession
- Tertiary 10-trip ticket fare is 25% of adult 10-trip ticket fare for passengers entitled to Metlink Tertiary Concession.
- Passengers must present a valid Student ID card to staff on-board the ferry.
Travelling to Mātiu/Somes Island
Mātiu/Somes Island is a scientific and historic reserve governed by the Kaitiaki Board and managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
All passengers will undertake their own bag checks onboard the ferry after departing Days Bay and then will go through the Whare Manuhiri (bio-security hut) before being allowed to explore the island.
More information will be provided to you in your booking confirmation, please make sure you read this carefully before your trip or click here(external link) for more information.
Tickets and Fares for Mātiu/Somes Island trips
All tickets are for a return ferry trip. The ferry departs from Queens Wharf, stops at Days Bay to pick up passengers, then continues to the island. Visitors have up to 2 hours on Mātiu/Somes Island before the ferry returns to Queens Wharf via Days Bay.
Bookings are required and must be made in advance through East by West’s website.
| Ticket type | Adult | Child | Accessible | Tertiary | Connect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return | $40.00 | $23.00 | $23.00 | N/A | $23.00 |
*These prices include the $6 visitor fee and $2 online booking fee.
**These prices exclude GST and Bank Surcharge fee for credit card booking.
SuperGold Card Concession
- SuperGold card holders(external link) do not pay a public transport fare to the island as trips are off peak, but do need to pay the $6 visitor fee.
- SuperGold card holders still need to book their trip on the East by West website and present a valid SuperGold card to staff on-board the ferry.
Child Concession
- Children under 5 travel free and do not need not need to pay the $6 visitor fee.
- Children between 5-15 years receive a discounted fare.
- High school students will need to present high school ID to staff on-board the ferry.
Accessible Concession (Total Mobility cardholders and Blind Low Vision members)
- Passengers entitled to the Metlink Accessible concession receive a discounted fare.
- Passengers must present their Te Hunga Whaikaha Total Mobility card or Blind Low Vision NZ membership card to staff on-board the ferry.
- One carer travels for free with the passenger using an accessible concession.
Community Connect Concession
- Passengers entitled to the Metlink Community Connect concession receive a discounted fare.
- Passengers must present a valid Community Services Card to staff on-board the ferry.
Tertiary Concession
- Tertiary concessions are not available for trips to Mātiu/Somes Island. Students will need to purchase a full adult fare, unless they qualify for another type of concession.
Visitor fee
Every passenger visiting Mātiu/Somes Island (including Supergold card holders but excluding those under 5 years old) will need to pay a $6 visitor fee.
This is passed onto DOC and the island’s Kaitiaki Board, and used for the revitalisation of infrastructure and cultural assets on Mātiu/Somes Island.
This visitor fee will be charged at the time of booking through the online booking system in addition to the ticket price.
Online booking fee
A $2 online booking fee applies for Mātiu/Somes Island sailings through the East by West website, with applicable concession discount to passengers entitled to a Metlink concession.
The online booking fee will be charged at the time of booking through the online booking system in addition to the ticket price.
Bank surcharge fee
Payments using a credit card or a contactless debit card, will incur a 1.5% bank surcharge fee.
The 1.5% bank surcharge fee will be charged at the time of booking through the online booking system in addition to the ticket price.
GST (Goods and services tax)
A 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to all ticket bookings for trips to Mātiu/Somes Island. This amount will be included in the total price shown during online booking.
Last published: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 2:54 pm