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  • Longer Ride – Wellington Bays and Maupuia Lookout

    Where To Ride February 15, 2022
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Take in the coast, the cafe and the gorgeous hills of Miramar

An extension to the Wellington Bays and Chocolate Fish Cafe ride. This includes an extra loop with postcard views and a stunning lookout. Ride the coast, visit one of our city’s favorite cafes in an outstanding nature-surrounded location. Then experience the freedom of eBikes on the way up to the lookout.

Who: Those wanting to try some hills (great on ebikes!) and to catch some outstanding views.
Time: 3-4 hours
What to Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, extra layer of clothing.
Distance: 30km
Difficulty: Road riding on quiet streets and some decent climbing.
Things to Know: The route includes shared pedestrian pathways, on-road cycleways, and quiet low speed roads.

Try the hill, find the lookout, and you won’t be dissapointed! The reward is huge.

This is our favorite half-day ride. It’s got a good range of different challenges, because it covers the beautiful flat coast and the hilly territory of Maupuia/Mt Crawford – as well as our favorite stop, the Chocolate Fish cafe. The top of Maupuia/Mt Crawford has one of the most remarkable views you’ll see anywhere of Wellington’s unique geography.

eBikes were made for hills. That’s where they make the biggest difference. You can also go much farther than you might be able to on a regular bike, even into a headwind.

For this ride we provide a map and directions in-store.

For a longer day out, you could take in the Wellington film-making scene at Weta Cave or Roxy Cinema!

Image of a 5 star trip advisor review which reads: The electric bikes were a great way to see Wellington. The shop is easy to get to from the cruise ship. Eric set us up perfectly and even personalized the map he gave us to include great views and a yummy lunch spot. My husband loves bicycle riding and I’m a novice but the route worked well for both of us. I highly recommend this activity and company.

Where to Go:

From Switched on Bikes take the waterfront around towards Te Papa Museum. This is a shared bike and pedestrian area. Soon you’ll be at the golden sand of Oriental bay, then just after rounding the point you’ll need to get on the on-road cycleway for approximately 2km. Soon you’ll be able to get back on the shared footpath. You’ll pass the giant orange Zepherometor/wind needle, and turn left along the coast. Stop at the Wellington Sign, then keep to the coast on Shelly bay road for 10 minutes and you’ll hit the Chocolate Fish Cafe.

From the cafe, continue around the coast. Check out the green grass and golden sand at Scorching Bay! Carry on 1.5 km, then turn right on Awa road and climb to the top. At the top of that hill you’ll turn right on to Nevay road, which winds along the ridgeline and then climbs to the summit of Maupuia/Mt Crawford. There’s an old abandoned prison here. You’ll go through the prison carpark and out the other side, and begin descending. Don’t worry it’s public. As you descend, watch out for the way to the lookout on your left – there is a little carpark and a sign for Centennial Reserve. Ride around the gate and into Centennial reserve all the way to the water tanks at the end. Check out the view!

Go back to the road and continue all the way to the bottom. You’ll reach an intersection with a busy road. You don’t need to cross that road, just turn right on to the footpath – this is a designated cycleway, and leads back to the separated cycleway that you need to take to get back around the bays to our shop.

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