Wellington
began as a harbor settlement in 1840 with
very little flat land. As a result, reclamation
of land around the harbor began as early
as the 1850’s and has continued on
and off ever since. Today, the capital and
home of the government of New Zealand, Wellington
has... More...
Wellington
began as a harbor settlement in 1840 with
very little flat land. As a result, reclamation
of land around the harbor began as early
as the 1850’s and has continued on
and off ever since. Today, the capital and
home of the government of New Zealand, Wellington
has a regional population of about 420,000.
It is also known for its popular café
culture, excellent coffee, and extensive
art scene.
Geographically, Wellington is surrounded
by mountains and rugged coastlines and because
of its location, at the southern tip of
the North Island, it is prone to constant
winds that range from mere nuisances to
annoying gale forces. Despite the winds,
Wellington is a “cycling friendly”
city. There are many more bicycle commuters
in Wellington than, for example, Auckland
and the locals commute to and from the city
by bicycle on a regular basis.
Once you get out of the city, there is actually
some nice riding terrain, ranging from relatively
flat roads along the Hutt River Valley to
challenging hills on the outskirts of the
city and in the nearby mountain ranges. Less...
Cycling around Wellington is possible year round but the best time to ride is late summer to mid autumn, when the weather is calmer and there is somewhat less wind. Less...
How to Get There
Wellington
is served by Wellington’s International
Airport located in Rongotai, a southern
suburb of Wellington. The airport is only
5 miles/8 km south of Wellington city
centre.
From the airport you have several transportation
options: a number of shuttle bus services
and taxis operate between the airport
and Wellington city centre. Many of the
shuttle services are equipped with spacious
trailers to transport your bicycle.
The airport is also accessible by bicycle
via a bicycle lane and bicycle path, should
you decide to assemble/unpack you bike
and ride out towards the city. Travelers
can dismantle or assemble bicycles in
the arrivals area located outside the
terminal.
Since Wellington is the capital city of
New Zealand, it is served by several bus
companies and by train service.
The Tranz Scenic company runs the Overlander
daily train service between Wellington
and Auckland during the summer season
(December through April) and Friday through
Sunday during off season (May through
November). The train stops in many small
towns between Auckland and Wellington,
where it can be boarded for Wellington.
The final stop is the main trail station
in Wellington, which is also the transportation
hub for local and city buses. Bicycles
can be carried onboard the Overlander
(usually stored in a cargo carriage),
and reservations are recommended. You
may be asked to cover the chain and remove
the pedals for the transport, but generally
that is not the case.
Many bus companies serve Wellington: InterCity,
Newmans and White Star are just a few.
It is best to check their web sites to
find out their latest schedule, prices,
and policy for carrying bicycles. Less...
Climate and Weather
Wellington must be one of the windiest cities in the world; and it certainly is the windiest in New Zealand. The prevailing winds come from the Tasman Sea and are funneled through Cook Strait most of the time; and when the southerlies pick up, it can get quite chilly even during the summer months.
Generally the temperature in Wellington is mild enough to afford riding year round (with the right cycling clothes and gear); and some of the best days for riding (weather-wise) are in late summer to early autumn. Wellington's average winter temperature during the day rarely drops below 10°C (50°F), and its average summer temperature is around 21°C (70°F). Less...
The Roads
As most of New Zealand roads, Wellington roads are of a sealed-chip surface. This results in a rough ride (jarring ride) for those who ride road bicycle with narrow high pressure tires. Otherwise, the quality of roads in the Wellington region is fairly good.
It seems as if the infrastructure to support urban cycling around Wellington is still in its infancy (as of 2008) and will take a while to implement. The network of bicycle lanes and bicycle paths is fragmented and not very extensive; as a result, most cyclists end-up on urban roads with the rest of the city traffic.
Unfortunately, Wellington does not have many light-traffic rural roads that are easily accessible from the city. Fortunately, some of the main roads in and out of the city do have wide shoulders, which will shield you from the busy traffic. Less...
