Australia is a distant destination for most travelers and many wonder if, to make the most of the trip, it is not possible to visit New Zealand as well. Of course it is possible, although you need time and money to join both destinations in Oceania because even if you see them close on the map they are not so close.
The big question is whether, to save some money, no it will be possible to go from Australia to New Zealand by boat. Sorry to say no, at least the trip is not possible on a common boat or ferry. Thirty or more years ago there was a ship that linked Sydney to Auckland but no longer. There are cruises, but they last like fifteen days and maybe it is not what you are looking for. Being the long distance, the truth is that a commercial line could not compete with an aircraft company, and also, the sea there seems to be very rough. Yes you can do the freighter trip, but for that you have to like adventure.
The freighter trips They are possible, it is not the most common type of tourism but there are not few travelers who choose them to travel without so much money. Thus, some freighter companies have entered the passenger transport business. Small-scale and no-frills, but it is possible to travel much of the vast world on these huge ships. Do an Internet search to find out companies, dates and costs.
One of them is the Hansa Rensburg. He departs from Adelaide and arrives in Auckland after six days of travel. One person who has made freighter travel the trip of a lifetime is a fellow named Hamish Jamieson, who you can contact on the website www.freightertravel.co.nz.