Whakatipu Ferry Services

What's the project?

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has investigated the benefits of a Lake Wakatipu public transport ferry option as part of the wider network. 

Progress so far

The ORC amended its previous Otago Regional Public Transport Plan (RPTP) to specify a Frankton Arm to Queenstown Bay water ferry as an essential service (for the purposes of trialling the service). Since March 2020, the ORC has contracted the former commercial ferry operator to ensure provide a service appropriate for COVID-19 times. This is currently financially supported by ORC and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The new 2021-2031 RPTP, which was adopted by the ORC in June 2021, specifies that the ORC will continue to provide a targeted ferry service as part of its network.