General guides

One of the virtues of the Great Harbour Way/ Te Ara o Pōneke is that there are many different ways to access the route. Here are some of main starting points.

• Burdan’s Gate 2km south of Eastbourne. Bus service to nearby Eastbourne Bus terminus. Route information from Metlink. There is a bicycle rental service at the carpark. From here, you can walk or cycle Leg 2 of the route, out to Pencarrow Head and back. Hint: this is best on calm day – if there is a strong wind, it will be a tailwind one way, but a headwind the other!

• Day’s Bay Can be accessed from Wellington City by the East by West Ferry (which carries bicycles), as well as by bus services from the Hutt Valley. Route information from Metlink. There is a bicycle rental service at the wharf. Several cafes in the vicinity so you can restore your energy levels while waiting for a return ferry. From here you can head north on Leg 3 of the route, or south to join Leg 2.

• Petone Foreshore Can be accessed from Wellington City by the East by West Ferry (which carries bicycles), as well as by bus and train services (Petone railway station is a short distance north). Route information from Metlink. Lots of shops and cafes a couple of blocks north on Jackson Street, and the Petone Settlers Museum provides an insight into the history of the area. From the foreshore, you can head east on Leg 4 of the route. You can also head west on Leg 5, although the route along the SH2 expressway from Petone to Ngauranga is exposed to heavy traffic, and can only be bicycled in the Petone-Ngauranga direction.

• Wellington Waterfront offers several starting points: Queen’s Wharf, Frank Kitts Park, City to Sea Bridge, Taranaki Street/Te Papa, and Waitangi Park. There are frequent bus services along Wellington’s “Golden Mile” a few blocks from the waterfront. Wellington Railway Station is just north of the waterfront area, and the East by West Ferry service is based at Queens Wharf from where you (and your bicycle) can be taken to Petone, Days Bay, or Seatoun. Route information from Metlink. Inline skate rental from Fergs (who also rent kayaks) at Queens Wharf, where you can also rent electric assist bikes from Switched on Bikes. You can rent four wheeler bikes from the Enormous Crocodile Company at Waitangi Park. Many cafes along the waterfront. From the Waterfront you can follow Leg 6 around Oriental Bay, Evans Bay, to the Miramar Peninsula and Seatoun.

• Oriental Bay has parking at Freyberg Pool; buses run along Oriental Bay from the Courtenay Place Transport hub. Route information from Metlink. Several cafes, and a dairy. From here you can explore Leg 6, heading north west to the Wellington Waterfront, and east to Evans Bay and on to Seatoun.

• Cog Park has parking, and buses run along Evans Bay Parade. Route information from Metlink. There are seats for a rest or a picnic. Swimming at nearby Hataitai Beach. Cafes just north at Greta Point. From here you can follow Leg 6 north to Oriental Bay, or south and East to Seatoun.

• Shelly Bay has parking. There is no bus service around the Miramar Peninsula, although bus services run along Miramar Avenue, 2.5 km south. Route information from Metlink. Recharge at Chocolate Fish Cafe. From Shelly Bay you can follow Leg 6 south and west to Oriental Bay, or north around Point Howard to Seatoun.

• Scorching Bay has parking and bus service. Route information from Metlink. The sheltered beach is good for swimming and picnics. There is a cafe and toilets. From Scorching Bay you can follow Leg 6 north around the Miramar Peninsula, or south to Seatoun.

• Seatoun is a stop on the East by West ferry route, and has good bus services. Route information from Metlink. The Seatoun tunnel gives access to the nearby Miramar suburb and the airport. There are shops and cafes in the village centre. From Seatoun you can follow Leg 6 north around the Miramar Peninsula, or Leg 7 south through the Pass of Branda to the South Coast.

• Lyall Bay has parking and bus service. Route information from Metlink. Wellington’s prime surfing venue. Maranui Cafe on the seafront, and other cafes nearby, and at the nearby Kilbirnie shopping centre. From Lyall Bay you can follow Leg 7 along the south coast, east towards Breaker Bay, or west to Owhiro Bay.

• Island Bay has parking and bus service, and is the end of the Island Bay Cycleway. Route information from Metlink. Cafes and shops on the Cycleway north of the bay. Playground and picnic area at Shorland Park, at the west end of the bay. From Island Bay you can follow Leg 7 along the south coast, east towards Breaker Bay, or west to Owhiro Bay.

• Owhiro Bay has parking and bus service. Route information from Metlink. On Sundays, motor vehicles aren’t allowed on the Red Rocks walkway to the west of the car park – but it’s a nicer walk or bike ride anyway! At the car park, there is the Owhiro Bay Gateway information centre, with information about the Taputeranga Marine Reserve and the Te Kopahou Reserve. The Beach House cafe is a short distance east. From Owhiro Bay, you can follow Leg 7 west to finish the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke at Red Rocks, or even further east along the south coast.

Walking the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke is straightforward. Because food, accomodation, and public transport access is available along the route, it is not necessary to carry much. Walking shoes, a wind/rain shell, and a spare warm layer will be sufficient.

The Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke can be walked continuously, or you can choose segments to suit your schedule.  Here are some suggestions:

Walking Tour – 3 days

• Day 1: Fitzroy Bay to Petone

• Day 2: Petone to Seatoun

• Day 3: Seatoun to Sinclair Head.

Walking Tour – 4 days

• Day 1: Fitzroy Bay to Eastbourne

• Day 2: Eastbourne to City

• Day 3: City to Seatoun

• Day 4: Seatoun to Sinclair Head

Eastern Bay day trip: Ferry to Days Bay, walk to Fitzroy bay and back (Leg 2 & part of Leg 3)

City to Seatoun daytrip: From Wellington Waterfront, walk around Evans Bay and the Miramar Peninsula to Seatoun, returning by bus or ferry. (Leg 6)

Southcoast daytrip: Bus or Ferry to Seatoun, then walk along South coast to Sinclair head. (Leg 7)

Biking the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke is straightforward.  A hybrid style bicycle is ideal, although a road bike can be used for much of the route. A mountain bike is unnecessary, except perhaps for the Owhiro Bay – Sinclair head section. Food, accomodation, and public transport access is available along the route. Currently the Petone – Ngauranga section of the route is is exposed to heavy traffic, and the cycle path can only be bicycled in the Petone-Ngauranga direction. Riders who are prepared to use the shoulder of the expressway can ride in either direction. Here are some suggested itineraries.

• Cycling Tour – 1 day: Fitzroy Bay to Sinclair Head

• Cycling Tour – 2 days:

  • Day 1: Fitzroy Bay to City

  • Day 2: City to Sinclair Head

• Around the bays: This popular ride starts at the Wellington Waterfront, and follows the coast out to Seatoun, then back along the south coast to Owhiro Bay, to return over the Brooklyn Hill. The side trip to Sinclair head is optional (Leg 6 and Leg 7)

• Eastern daytrip: Ferry to Days Bay, bicycle to Fitzroy Bay and back. (Leg 2 and part of Leg 3)