Wellington Waterfront to Ngauranga
This is the only section of the Great Harbour Way that does not follow the harbour edge. There is a well-separated bidirectional cycle path along Thorndon Quay, but care is required around vehicles entering and exiting car parks at the businesses along the way. The route continues along a narrow, shared path along the Hutt Road. This is busy with cyclists at commuter times. If this route does not appeal, you can take the bus or train from Wellington to Ngauranga instead.
Distance: 7Km
🚶 Average walking time: 1½ hours
🚲 Average cycling time: 20-30 minutes
Surface: bi-directional cycle lane, footpath, shared path
⛰ No hills
🚌 Easy bus access
☕ Various cafes
🚻 Limited toilet and water facilities
Route map & video
Video showing the route from the Wellington Waterfront to Ngauranga
Stadium Link
The route takes you over the promenade by the Hnry Stadium, giving you a nice view back over the city.
Thistle Inn
Where the route comes down from the Stadium Link onto Thorndon Quay, you can see the Thistle Inn, Wellington’s oldest pub – built in 1840. The painting on the left was created around 1843 and shows the inn during the early settlement period. These days the Thistle Inn is a popular place for lunch, dinner and drinks.
Pipitea Marae and Pa
Along Thorndon Quay is the Pipitea Marae, built in the early 1980s to cater for the growing demand of an urban Māori population in the Wellington region. It’s a place where traditional Māori customs are keenly observed, but where people of all iwi and all races meet. The land above the marae is where the Pipitea Pa once stood, a site of great significance to the Māori of Wellington. Overlooking the beach, close to freshwater and cultivation supplies, the pa was originally home to the Ngati Mutunga people, who journeyed south from Taranaki in 1824.
iRide bike shop
242 Thorndon Quay
Google review rating: 4.5
Price range: $25–$45 per person
Hours: 8am-5:30pm (Tue-Fri), 10am-4pm (Sat)
Need to get your bike repaired or your tyres pumped up? Then pop in to iRide. And enjoy their cafe while you’re there.
The Thistle Inn
3 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon
Google review rating: 4.5
Price range: $30–$80 per person
Hours: 11:30am-10pm (closed on Sundays)
Historic pub offering gastro-pub meals, craft beer, and local wines in New Zealand’s oldest operating tavern site.
Le Marché Français Deli
262 Thorndon Quay
Google review rating: 4.5
Price range: $20-$30 per person
Hours: 9am-4:30pm (closed on Sundays)
Relaxed bistro serving salads, quiche & other French fare, plus an adjacent deli & cheese shop.
La Cloche French Cafe
134 Hutt Road
Google review rating: 4.5
Price range: $20-$30 per person
Hours: 7:30-3:30pm (8am-4pm Sat & Sun)
Authentic French bistro and patisserie serving freshly baked French pastries, baguettes, classic galettes, croque-monsieurs, and savoury tarts alongside rich coffee and a relaxed atmosphere.
| Bus | The #1 and #83 bus services run regularly between the Wellington Central bus station and Ngauranga. The Wellington Central bus station is a short walk from the north end of the harbour front (by the Bluebridge Ferry terminal). Cross to the railway station and use the underpass inside the station to reach the bus station. |
| Train | The Hutt Valley Line train services run regularly between the Wellington railway station and Ngauranga. The Wellington railway station is a short walk from the north end of the harbour front (by the Bluebridge Ferry terminal). |
Busy Thorndon Quay
Be careful of service vehicles, pedestrians crossing, and fast cyclists as you bike this busy bi-directional bike lane along Thorndon Quay.
Narrow Hutt Rd Shared Path
Be mindful of other cyclists and walkers as you travel along this shared path that tends to be busy with fast-travelling cyclists during commuter times. Stay left.