3 minute read
Cycle Tours: Top three routes
TURN TURN TURN
Here are three cycle trips that take in the sights of Devonport. All trips start and finish at the Devonport Wharf, where ferries dock.
Devonport is a great place to ride a bike. There is a network of shared paths, cycle lanes and quiet back streets which make cycling safe and easy. Enjoy spectacular scenery, intriguing history, beautiful beaches and cafes to discover on two wheels. (Bikes travel free on the ferry).
QUICK SPIN
An easy circuit (above right) checking out the closet highlights.
6 km 30 minutes’ cycling time. Allow 1.5 hours with stops
A - From the ferry building head along the waterfront on King
Edward Parade. B - Stop at Torpedo Bay for a lookout, or a quick dip if it’s warm. C - Ride up Maungauika if you need a challenge.
It’s steep. D - Down Cheltenham Rd to
Cheltenham Beach, another good spot for a swim (if the tide is in). E - At the top of Tainui Rd, the
Vauxhall Rd shops are a good coffee stop. Back along Vauxhall
Rd you’ll see the rugby grounds and museum entrance. Return to the ferry via King Edward Pde.
ALL THE BEACHES
A morning or afternoon visiting Devonport’s best beaches.
10 kms 1 hour cycling time Allow 2.5 hours with stops
A - Start at the ferry building and make your way along the waterfront,
King Edward Pde. B - Stop at Torpedo Bay for a lookout or a quick dip, if it’s another hot day. C - Head up Maungauika to take in the views. D - Down to Cheltenham Rd and along
Tainui Rd (Cheltenham Beach is worth a stop). The Vauxhall shops offer a refreshment stop, E - Along Vauxhall Road to
Narrow Neck Beach. F - Return via Ngataringa Park. G - Optional side trip up Takarunga. H - Back to the ferry building.
TO TAKAPUNA
LE GRAND TOUR DE DEVONPORT
Venture up the peninsula and back through its green ways.
17 kms 2 hours’ cycling time Allow 4 hours with stops
A - Ferry building to Torpedo
Bay (B) and then up
North Head (C). D - Down Cheltenham Rd and along Tainui Rd. E - Along Vauxhall Rd to
Narrow Neck Beach. F - Follow the coast as far as
Takapuna Grammar School, then head west, across busy
Lake Rd, to join the Green route to Northboro Reserve before heading back south. G - Return via the Green route to Bayswater Park and then
Ngataringa Park. H - Pass the Navy base on your way to Stanley Bay Park. I - Along Calliope Rd back into the village and up to Mt
Victoria for more stunning harbour views. J - And then back through the village down Victoria Rd to the ferry building.
You made it!
ADDED EXTRAS
Keen for more? Then add to your grand tour by continuing north to Takapuna town centre and beach. From Step F above, head north along Northboro Rd, right into Jutland Rd, then left onto busy Lake Rd at Hauraki Corner. Cycle lanes lead to Takapuna. An option on your return to Devonport is a visit for carb replenishment to popular Daily Bread cafe on Eversleigh St near Northboro Reserve.
TO TAKAPUNA
