Full disclosure - we took this trip because we could do it for free with our newly-received Supergold Cards. Here's the thing, though: we would not normally wake up on a fine Wellington Sunday morning in June and choose to go out to Days Bay. But we did because we could. The harbour was the proverbial millpond, and it was one of those good days in Wellington that you can't beat.

We had a drink on the way over - a very palatable Pinot Gris for me, and a beer for him - at normal pub prices, which surprised me. No captive customer mark-up, like you get at airports and bus terminals. There was an almost-stop at Seatoun, which meant the charming young man leaning over the side towards the wharf and asking if the fishers there were waiting for the ferry, and the vessel continuing on when the answer was no. So the entertainment was free as well.

We spent a cool hour and a half in Days Bay having a late lunch and an ice-cream and enjoying the ducks and a short walk before returning to the jetty for the return trip.

We sat on the open deck up top on the way back, being well-wrapped up against the winter chill, and relished the journey into the sunset, via another almost-stop at Matiu Soames Island.

The staff were impeccably professional and warmly friendly at the same time. No doubt weekday commuters see it differently, but I heartily recommend this as a short weekend cruise at an excellent price (even if you don't have a Supergold Card). Home tourism is never wasted.

It was a lovely sunny and blue skies when passengers loading on the boat. We went round the bay and stopped off at three islands. It became quite choppy and the spray was coming over the front of the boat, but the skipper came up to check we were OK, but did not advise us to go below. It was a really enjoyable trip and would recommend it. I did not get off, but you could visit the islands, although best to check what time the ferry would come back to collect you.

Headed off on the 10.30 ferry to Days Bay via Seaton. Choppy passage but giving a good view of coastal Wellington. At Day’s Bay we took to Eastbourne where we had lunch.