WellingtonSee & Do
The teal-coloured Ika Rere electric ferry leaves its berth on the Wellington waterfront to head out into the harbour. The Wellington skyline is behind it.

East By West Ferries

  • Location

    Meridian Building (waterside), 55 Elizabeth Lane, Queens Wharf, Wellington

  • Website

    East by West Ferries

Experience Wellington from the water, explore the eastern bays and an island nature reserve on the city’s only harbour ferries.

Located on Wellington’s waterfront at Queens Wharf, East by West offers a pleasant 25-minute crossing to Days Bay, near Eastbourne. Or, continue from there to Mātiu/Somes Island. Commuter transport as much as tourism experience, it’s a great way to see the city. 

Across the harbour, there’s plenty to do in Days Bay. From the ferry drop-off point on the jetty, it’s easy to spend the day exploring the area. 

There are bush walks and parks, and kayak, paddleboard, and bike hire. You can swim and jump off the jetty, eat ice cream, or drink coffee while enjoying expansive views. Take a short walk to the nearby seaside village of Eastbourne where you’ll find restaurants, shops, and art galleries.

A person uses their cellphone to take a picture of the Carter Memorial Fountain at Oriental Bay from the East by West ferry in Wellignton.
An East by West ferry docked at Wellington's harbourfront.
Three people sit on an East by West Ferry in Wellington, New Zealand.
Two people holding hands walking together on a concrete dock with a small ferry boat where other passengers are disembarking behind them.

Catch a ferry from the mainland to the island nature reserve in the middle of Wellington Harbour. Mātiu/Somes Island is only accessible by booking through East by West Ferries.

The scientific and historic reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). It’s steeped in local history, from early Māori settlement to a prisoner of war camp, and then a quarantine station. It’s now rodent-free, rife with birdlife, and full of native flora and fauna.

East By West has weekly and weekend timetables for its three ferries that cruise around the harbour up to seven times a day.

One of those ferries, Ika Rere, is the very first electric high-speed passenger ferry in the southern hemisphere. Locally built, the carbon-fibre 19-metre catamaran has a passenger capacity of 132 with three crew. There’s an on-board café and inside and outside seating options.

Looking for more?

At start of items
A view of Wellington Harbour/ Port Nicholson at golden hour with Matiu/Somes Island in the centre of the image.

Mātiu/Somes Island

Ramble around this stunning nature reserve that sits right in the middle of Wellington Harbour.

2 poeple standing underneath the Pencarrow lighthouse, with the ocean int eh background.

Visit majestic lighthouses and idyllic beaches in Eastbourne and Days Bay

Pretty and picturesque, the seaside villages of Eastbourne and Days Bay are full of charm.

Wide of the cable car driving up the tracks with the sun setting over Wellington city and harbour in the background.

Wellington Cable Car

One of the city’s most iconic experiences, Wellington Cable Car leads to some of the best views of the capital.

Two people sit in the grass with their bicycles lying nearby at Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington, New Zealand with a view of the city centre, the bay and rolling hills in the distance.

Trail and a treat: Outdoor combos in Wellington

The city’s hills, beaches, and trails offer much opportunity to experience nature. Fuel your adventure with a stop-off at one of the excellent eateries offers nearby.

Two people ride bicycles along Oriental Bay Parade in Wellington on a sunny day.

Switched on Bikes

Pedal through the streets with the greatest of ease. The hills are no problem with a Switched on Bike.

A kākā in a tree at Zealandia.

Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne

This pest-proof ‘urban island’ is the closest thing you’ll find to experiencing what New Zealand was like before humans.

The interior of Seashor Cabaret, a diner located on The Esplanade and Sidney Street in Petone, with four vintage arcade games, two taxidermy deer heads on the wall, two large tables with eight chairs each and three wood booths with eight customers seated.

Seashore Cabaret

Eclectic and quirky, Seashore Cabaret serves up fun and fast diner food with views across the Petone foreshore.

A family walks through kapiti island with green bush and blue water surrounding them.

Kapiti Island

A dominant feature of the Kāpiti Coast, this nature reserve is home to many endangered species.

The exterior of Maranui Café, inside the Lyall Bay surf lifesaving club. The building is white with red accents and cars are parked outside.

Drink in the views at Maranui Café

Hearty breakfasts come with a side of incredible views and retro décor at this quintessential Wellington experience.

A person wearing a blue helmet, orange lifejacket, is in mid-air, doing a cannonball jump from a tall rock into a stream. Three people watch from below, where they wait with two small red rafts.

Wellington Rafting

Jump in the deep end of a thrilling adventure with Wellington Rafting.