Devonport Magic Broomstick Segway Tour in Auckland

Devonport is a seaside village best explored at a leisurely pace, and a Segway gives you a playful way to link its waterfront, back streets and volcanic viewpoints. The standout choice is the North Head tour, where you can ride up to old fortifications, explore historic tunnels and see a disappearing gun.

I like two things in particular: the hands-on practice before you set off, and the choice between a gentle waterfront ride and tours with more history and hilltop views. One thing to weigh up: the experience is short, and the listed one-hour option includes training, so your time riding the route itself is less than an hour.

• Start beside the ferry: Meet at Devonport Ferry Terminal, a short ferry ride from Auckland’s downtown terminal.
• Learn before you roll: A safety briefing and practice session help you get used to the Segway before the guided ride.
• Pick your scenery: Choose a waterfront outing, Mount Victoria, or North Head’s military history.
• Ride with a small group: Groups are limited to 2 to 6 participants, which makes it easier to follow the guide.
• Plan for the hilltops: Mount Victoria and North Head offer views across Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.
• Check the package length: The one-hour option includes training; the Taste of Segway is described as a 1.5-hour experience.

Devonport by Segway: A change of pace

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Devonport sits across the harbour from central Auckland, with a ferry terminal at the heart of its village. This tour makes a practical outing of the journey: instead of simply arriving, wandering the main streets and heading back, you get a guided ride that connects the waterfront with local landmarks and volcanic summits.

The appeal is not speed. A Segway lets you cover more ground than a short walk while staying close to the scenery. You can take in the beaches and village streets, then focus on one of Devonport’s historic or geological highlights, depending on the option you choose.

The central question is what you want from your hour or so. The beginner ride is about getting comfortable and seeing the village. Mount Victoria adds a summit and its curious mushroom field. North Head gives the outing a stronger historical focus, with tunnels and military remains to explore.

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Training first, riding second

You meet your guide at the Devonport Ferry Terminal, inside the terminal building near the Fullers ferry ticket office. Arrive 15 minutes before the booked time. Before the ride, the guide gives a safety briefing and time to practise, so you do not have to step onto a Segway and immediately join village traffic.

That introduction matters, especially if this is your first time using one. Several riders have praised Pauline’s patient, clear instruction, and one described a roughly 30-minute demonstration as enough to feel at ease. Training time is part of the experience, not a delay before it begins. If you are nervous, tell your guide and use the practice period to find your balance.

You need to be agile, able to climb stairs without help and able to step on and off the Segway with ease. The minimum age is 10. There is no stated upper age limit, but the mobility requirements are worth considering before you book.

Groups range from 2 to 6 participants. That small size should make it easier to hear the guide and move together, though you will still need to follow instructions and keep a steady pace.

A Taste of Segway along the waterfront

The beginner-friendly Taste of Segway is a good fit if you want the fun of riding without committing to a longer history-focused outing. It includes a guided ride along Devonport’s waterfront and through local streets. You get a feel for the village and its seaside setting, with stops where the guide can introduce local points of interest.

The package information describes this ride as 1.5 hours, while the general tour details describe a one-hour experience that includes training and a 45-minute waterfront ride. Durations can differ by option, so check the exact package shown for your booking rather than assuming every ride lasts the same amount of time.

This choice suits first-timers, families with eligible children and anyone looking for a light activity between ferry trips and other Auckland plans. The trade-off is that it is less focused on the military history of North Head or the views from Mount Victoria. If those are your main reasons for coming to Devonport, consider one of the summit tours instead.

Mount Victoria and its mushroom field

Mount Victoria, also known by its Māori name Takarunga, is the highest volcanic summit on Auckland’s North Shore. The Mount Victoria Magic tour takes you up to the summit, where the elevated position gives you broad views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.

A curious feature here is the mushroom field, which the guide explains as part of the experience. The supplied details do not specify what the mushrooms are or how they are formed, so you can look forward to hearing the explanation on site rather than expecting a particular story in advance.

The summit option is a good middle ground if you want scenery and a little local context, but prefer not to make military sites the focus. Keep in mind that the hilltop setting and weather can affect how comfortable the ride feels. Rain has not stopped every outing: guides have lent raincoats when conditions turned wet, but you should still be ready for Auckland weather to change.

North Head’s tunnels and disappearing gun

For history-minded visitors, North Head, or Maungauika, is the most distinctive option. The ride takes you to the summit and the fortifications, where the tour includes historic tunnels and a disappearing gun. The site gives you a tangible sense of Devonport’s military past, rather than only a view from above.

The guide’s explanations help connect the structures to the place around them. The tour is still a Segway outing, not a long museum visit, so think of it as a lively introduction to the fortifications rather than an exhaustive history lesson. If you want time to inspect every feature at length, check the specific tour duration and itinerary before booking.

The route is a particularly appealing choice if you have already seen central Auckland and want an activity tied to Devonport itself. The combination of riding, panoramic views and historic remains makes it feel more varied than a simple scenic loop.

How much of the hour is spent riding?

The headline duration is one hour, but that includes instruction. The general details allow for training before a 45-minute ride around the waterfront. In practice, this means you should think of the experience as a compact activity with a meaningful learning session, not a full hour of continuous travel.

The Taste of Segway option is described as 1.5 hours, so the best planning advice is to read the duration attached to the exact package you select. The schedule may change with traffic and weather. Build a little breathing room around the tour if you have a ferry or another timed activity afterward.

The listed departure choices include 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with availability depending on the package and selected time. Your confirmed time is provided after booking. The meeting point and return point are both the Devonport Ferry Terminal.

Getting to the meeting point

From central Auckland, walk to the Downtown Ferry Terminal on Quay Street and take the ferry to Devonport. The crossing takes about 12 minutes, and ferries depart every half hour, on the hour and half-hour. Once you arrive, go inside the first door of the terminal building and look for the Magic Broomstick shop beside the Fullers ticket office.

If you are driving, follow the signs to Devonport after taking the Devonport-Takapuna turnoff from the harbour bridge. There is three-hour parking outside the ferry terminal and in surrounding village streets. Transport to Devonport is not included in the tour price, so include the ferry or parking in your plans.

Be at the meeting point 15 minutes early. The voucher is presented on your mobile phone, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable. Those are simple details, but they matter when you are planning around a ferry schedule.

Is the price worth it?

The listed price starts at US$163.65, while the A Fun Family Ride package is shown from US$142.29. Prices are package-specific, so compare the option and date you want before deciding. The cost covers a guided experience and the time needed to learn the Segway, rather than just access to a vehicle.

Value depends on how much you want a guided activity. If you are happy to explore Devonport on foot, the ferry and village are easy to enjoy without a tour. If you want a novel way to see the waterfront and reach a summit, the instruction and guide add something you cannot get from simply renting time on your own. The North Head option may be especially worthwhile if you value its historic sites and want a guide to introduce them.

The group size of 2 to 6 is another point in the tour’s favor. You are not joining a large procession, and the guide can give the small group attention during training. Still, the price is a meaningful spend for a short activity. Consider it a special outing, not a low-cost way to get around town.

Who will enjoy this ride?

This is a strong match for curious first-time Segway riders, families with children aged 10 or older, and visitors who want to combine Devonport scenery with a bit of activity. The Taste of Segway keeps things simple; Mount Victoria suits you if views are the priority; North Head is the choice for fortifications and military history.

It is less suitable if you have trouble climbing stairs or stepping on and off a Segway, or if you want a long, unhurried walking tour. The guide sets the pace and route, and the experience is designed around riding. You should also be comfortable with weather that may not cooperate. Raincoats have been provided on a wet day, but fine conditions are never guaranteed.

Should you book the Devonport Magic Broomstick tour?

Book it if a guided ride sounds more appealing than a standard village stroll, especially if you want to reach Mount Victoria or explore North Head without arranging your own route. The training makes the Segway approachable for beginners, and the small group keeps the experience personal.

Choose the North Head tour for tunnels and military history, Mount Victoria for summit views, or the Taste of Segway for an easier introduction to Devonport. If your budget is tight or you prefer to explore at your own pace, take the ferry over and walk instead. For a short, distinctive outing that combines movement, scenery and local context, this tour is a good use of a Devonport visit.

FAQ

How long is the Segway tour?

The general tour information gives a duration of one hour, including training before a 45-minute waterfront ride. The Taste of Segway option is described as 1.5 hours, so check the duration for the package you choose.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes at Devonport Ferry Terminal, 1 Queens Parade, Devonport. The Magic Broomstick shop is inside the terminal building beside the Fullers ferry ticket office.

What time can I depart?

The listed departure choices are 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Options may vary by package and selected duration, and your confirmed time is provided after booking.

How do I get to Devonport from central Auckland?

Take the ferry from the Downtown Ferry Terminal on Quay Street. The crossing takes about 12 minutes, with ferries departing every half hour, on the hour and half-hour.

What age can take part?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. No upper age limit is specified.

Do I need Segway experience?

No previous experience is stated as a requirement. You receive a safety briefing and practice session before the guided ride.

What mobility is required?

You must be agile, able to climb stairs unaided and able to step on and off the Segway with ease.

How many people are in a group?

The group size is 2 to 6 participants.

What is included in the price?

An English-speaking guide is included. Transport to Devonport, meals and beverages, and personal expenses are not included.