Getting around Wellington — your guide to seeing the city

You’ve got the power. Switched on Bikes provides hybrid bicycles for hire. You can tiki-tour around Wellington peddling when you want to and when you want a rest — just flick a switch. The electric bike takes over and you can relax.  Found by Shed One on the waterfront, Switched on Bikes’ HQ is a great starting point for city exploration. You can choose to head off on your own, take advice on specific routes, or take a guided tour. The Switched on Bikes staff can tell you about cycle lanes, the safest routes to take, and tips on where to go and what to do.

Use your feet. The easiest way to discover the heart and soul of Wellington is on a walking tour. Get to know Wellington’s waterfront, downtown area, and parliamentary precinct. Trained guides will take you on an easy two-hour walk. They will introduce you to the history, sights, landscape, and culture of Wellington’s vibrant inner city. Find out what's happening around town to make the most of your time in Wellington. There are also specific heritage walks available. Come and join the guides in green vests for an environmentally friendly site-seeing expedition.

Pedal with friends. Take a ride on the wild side with Wellington’s iconic crocodile bikes. You can hire three or six-seater crocbike for leisurely trips along Wellington’s waterfront. Everyone gets to pedal so no one has to do too much work. If children are part of your party, then the large crocbikes can hold a maximum of eight. Canopies keep the sun off your head and the bell lets pedestrians know where you are. Your self-guided tour can take in any of the sites along the central waterfront. From the band rotunda to Waitangi Park, Te Papa to Frank Kitts Park — enjoy the city in style.

Trundle up the hill. Since 1902, the Cable Car has ferried people between Lambton Quay, Victoria University, and the Botanic Gardens. The five-minute trip has become a Wellington must-do for tourists. Every 10 minutes, the bright red Wellington Cable Car departs from Lambton Quay and makes its way up into the hills of Kelburn. The 612m journey travels through three tunnels and over three bridges. On the way up and down you get glimpses of city life. Once at the top, you are 120m above sea level. The views of the city below, the harbour and hills are spectacular.

Wave goodbye to the land. East by West Ferries offers a 25-minute crossing to Days Bay on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour. Inside and outside seating on the 130-seat catamaran provides unique perspectives of the city. Get served a bit of sea spray with your Wellington views. You’ll see the high rises of the central city, the Petone foreshore to the north, and the town belt ringing the city. Matiu Somes Island and Mākaro / Ward Island will also be in your sites. Its services are dog-friendly and you can also take bikes and luggage on board.

Take a flight of fancy. Put your headset on and listen to your pilot over the throb of helicopter rotors. Wellington Helicopter Tours is the ultimate way to experience the city.  The nine-minute flight gives a thrilling perspective on the capital. You’ll get birds-eye views of the high-rises, residential suburbs, forests, and trails that surround the city. On clear days, you’ll have unimpeded views of Marlborough Sounds and the Southern Alps in the South Island. Heading west you’ll see the Mākara wind farm and the horizon to the north yield views of the Remutaka range.