An Hour long Taste of the Segway Sensation and Sightseeing fun

Small wheels, big harbor views. This 90-minute Devonport Segway tour gives you a playful way to see Auckland’s historic seaside village without committing to a long excursion. You begin at the Devonport Ferry Terminal, learn the controls with one-on-one instruction, then ride along the waterfront, toward Cheltenham Beach, and through quiet village streets.

I like the generous practice time, especially for first-time riders, and I like the small maximum group size of six. The tour also includes a helmet, live commentary, and use of the Segway itself, so the listed $55.85 price covers the main parts of the experience. The main consideration is physical confidence: you need to be agile enough to climb stairs unaided, and all riders must weigh between 35 and 120 kilograms.

The supplied location information names Waiheke Island in one place, but every meeting detail and sightseeing stop points to Devonport, Auckland. Plan around Devonport Ferry Terminal at 1 Queens Parade, not Waiheke Island. The activity returns to that same meeting point.

Key points before you book

• A first-timer-friendly introduction: You receive one-on-one training and time to practice before the actual ride begins.
• Devonport’s waterfront and Cheltenham Beach: The route brings you near the Hauraki Gulf and gives you views toward Rangitoto Island.
• Historic village scenery: Expect restored Victorian villas, sports grounds, older homes, and the character of Devonport’s back streets.
• A genuinely small group: The tour accepts a maximum of six people per booking, which allows the guide to watch each rider closely.
• An easy ferry connection: The start point is inside or directly by the Devonport Ferry Terminal, though you still arrange your own transportation there.
• Weather matters: The tour operates in all weather, but extreme conditions can lead to an alternative date or a refund minus an administration fee.

Starting at Devonport Ferry Terminal

Your tour begins at Magic Broomstick Segway Tours inside the Devonport Ferry Terminal at 1 Queens Parade. The meeting point is convenient if you arrive by ferry, but it can be easy to walk past the shop.

A useful tip is to enter the undercover section of the pier and look to the right. John D. described the shop as being very close to the ferry entrance, and the operator acknowledged that the business can be difficult to spot. If you have walked more than about 20 metres from the ferry, you may have gone too far.

This small bit of advice matters. Build in a few extra minutes to find the shop, rather than arriving at the last second and beginning your safety briefing in a rush. Since transportation to the start is not included, you are responsible for getting to Devonport Ferry Terminal on your own.

The ferry terminal setting also makes this a practical add-on to a day in Devonport. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup or search for a distant meeting point. You simply arrive at the terminal, locate the shop, and begin there.

Learning to ride before the sightseeing starts

The best feature for nervous beginners is the training session. You are not expected to arrive knowing how to steer, stop, or balance on a Segway. The guide provides one-on-one instruction and allows time to practice before the group leaves the starting area.

That practice period is important because a Segway responds to your body position. You move forward by leaning slightly ahead and slow down by shifting back. The machine is designed to be approachable, but it still takes a few minutes for your movements to feel natural.

You should treat the training as part of the tour, not as wasted sightseeing time. A hurried introduction would make the waterfront ride less enjoyable. Here, the instruction is meant to help you feel comfortable before you share space with other people and move along the route.

The maximum group size of six helps. A guide can keep an eye on riders who need extra help, and the pace is less likely to feel like a large organized procession. The experience is best suited to people with moderate physical fitness who can remain alert and upright while riding.

A helmet is supplied. Wear clothing suitable for the weather, since the activity operates in all conditions unless conditions become unsafe. Comfortable shoes and clothes that allow easy movement make sense, although the provided information does not prescribe a particular dress code.

Rolling beside Devonport’s waterfront

Once you are comfortable, the tour heads around the waterfront of Devonport. This is where the Segway earns its keep. You cover more ground than you would on foot, but you move slowly enough to notice the setting and listen to the guide’s commentary.

Devonport is known here through its seaside village character, older homes, sports grounds, and ferry-linked position across from central Auckland. The ride gives you a broad look at the area rather than confining you to one monument or museum interior.

The waterfront portion also creates the tour’s strongest sense of place. You are not simply riding a vehicle around a parking area. You are moving through a real neighborhood, with the water and Auckland’s wider harbor setting close by.

The route is described as fun and relaxing, but do not mistake relaxing for completely effortless. You still need to steer, monitor your speed, and stay aware of your surroundings. If you are agile enough to walk up stairs unaided and meet the weight requirement, the tour should be manageable. If balance-based activities make you uneasy, the practice session will help, but it cannot remove that basic requirement.

Cheltenham Beach and views toward Rangitoto

One of the main route highlights is Cheltenham Beach. The tour visits the reserve at the beach, giving you a break from the tighter streets and a more open setting for Segway riding.

From this area, you can catch views of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island. The scenery is a strong reason to choose this outing over an indoor activity, particularly on a clear day. The operator describes the stop as a chance for Segway fun, so expect a sightseeing pause and riding time rather than a long beach visit.

The tour does not promise swimming, a meal stop, or extended free time at Cheltenham Beach. I would think of the beach as a scenic point on a guided route. If you want a full morning at the shore, this 90-minute experience will feel too brief. If you want a compact outing with a coastal view, the timing works better.

Weather will shape this part of the experience. The tour runs in all weather, but the views and comfort can change greatly with wind, rain, or low cloud. If extreme weather makes Segway riding unsafe, the operator may offer another date or a refund minus an administration fee. That policy gives you some protection, but you should still dress for the forecast.

Devonport Museum and the older village streets

The listed route includes Devonport Museum, though the available details do not specify a formal museum visit or a timed indoor stop. Treat it as part of the sightseeing area rather than assume you will receive a separate museum tour.

The more clearly described village riding takes place after returning toward Devonport Wharf. You head through back streets and pass historic homes, including restored Victorian villas. This section gives the tour its local feel. The waterfront supplies the views, while the side streets show you how the village looks away from the ferry landing.

Riding past older homes also makes the commentary useful. A guide can point out details that are easy to miss when you walk alone, while the Segway lets you move between sections without the tired legs that can come from a longer walking route.

I would not choose this tour solely for architectural detail. The provided information does not promise a specialist architecture lecture or a long stop at individual houses. Instead, expect a general guided look at Devonport’s homes, sports grounds, reserves, and waterfront setting.

That balance is part of the appeal. You get a sample of several sides of the village during one short outing. You are not locked into a single museum or a long road route.

What the $55.85 price really buys

At $55.85 per person, the value depends on how much you want the equipment and instruction to do for you. The price includes the Segway Personal Transporter, helmet, GST, live commentary, and full training with practice time. You are not paying only for a vehicle rental. You are paying for a guided introduction and a planned route through Devonport.

For a first-time rider, that package is more useful than renting a machine without support. The guide helps you learn the controls, sets the pace, and leads you to the waterfront, Cheltenham Beach, and village streets.

The 90-minute duration is also sensible for a beginner. It gives you enough time to learn the machine and see several parts of Devonport without turning the outing into a tiring half-day commitment. The drawback is that the tour cannot linger long at every stop. You receive a compact overview rather than an exhaustive exploration.

The price does not include transportation to the meeting point. If you are staying elsewhere in Auckland, add the cost and time of reaching Devonport. The ferry terminal location makes that straightforward if you are already planning to visit the area, but it is still a separate part of your day.

The tour is commonly booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of 56 days. That does not guarantee every departure sells out, but it suggests you should reserve ahead if your Auckland schedule is fixed.

The people who will enjoy this most

This tour is a strong fit for first-time visitors who want to see Devonport in an unusual but approachable way. You get a short orientation to the village, a coastal outlook, and a chance to try something different from a standard walking tour.

It also suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who like active sightseeing. The minimum age is 10 for the Family Fun Ride and A Taste of Segway. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the total booking size cannot exceed six people.

The tour is less suitable if you want a completely passive sightseeing experience. You must control the Segway and remain attentive throughout. It is also not recommended for anyone who cannot climb stairs without assistance, and every participant must weigh between 35 and 120 kilograms.

The small group format is particularly useful for mixed-ability parties. A confident rider can enjoy the route, while a beginner receives personal help during training. Still, everyone should be prepared to participate rather than simply stand on the machine and be carried along.

Practical details that can shape your day

The activity ends back at the same Devonport meeting point. That makes it easy to continue exploring the village, return to the ferry, or arrange your next activity without needing to find a separate endpoint.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives when you book. The tour operates near public transportation, but transportation itself is not included. Keep the terminal address handy: Magic Broomstick Segway Tours, Devonport Ferry Terminal, 1 Queens Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time, so check the timing carefully if you are booking from another time zone.

The operator can cancel for extreme weather when riding would be unsafe. In that case, you are offered an alternative date or a refund minus an administration fee. This is a sensible arrangement for an outdoor activity, but it means you should avoid placing the tour immediately before an important flight or fixed connection if your plans have no flexibility.

The guide and the human touch

The supplied operator responses name Pauline, who writes warmly about teaching people to ride and showing them around her town. That gives the experience a personal quality beyond a simple vehicle rental.

The guide provides live commentary during the route, but the available details do not list a fixed script or guarantee that Pauline will lead every departure. The important point is that instruction and narration come from a local guide rather than an audio device.

One published comment also praised the guide as phenomenal and described the first Segway ride as surprisingly easy. That matches the tour’s design: practice first, sightseeing second. The strongest praise centers on the guide’s teaching and the simple pleasure of moving through a beautiful town on a clear day.

The shop’s slightly hidden position is the one practical wrinkle. Once you know to look inside the covered pier area near the ferry, finding it should be much easier.

Should you book the Devonport Segway ride?

I would book this tour if you want a short, active introduction to Devonport and have never ridden a Segway before. The training, helmet, live commentary, small group limit, and route to Cheltenham Beach make the price reasonable for a guided experience.

I would skip it if you need a fully accessible activity, dislike balance-based equipment, or want a long visit at the beach or museum. You should also confirm that your schedule is based in Devonport, Auckland, since the supplied location label mentions Waiheke Island even though the meeting point and route are clearly in Devonport.

For the right person, this is a cheerful way to connect the ferry terminal, waterfront, beach reserve, harbor views, and Victorian-era streets in one manageable outing. The tour’s strongest asset is not speed. It is the chance to learn something new, with a guide beside you, while seeing a distinctive Auckland village from a slightly different angle.

FAQ

Where does the Segway tour start?

It starts at Magic Broomstick Segway Tours, Devonport Ferry Terminal, 1 Queens Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624, New Zealand.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the Devonport meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is Segway experience required?

No. One-on-one training and time to practice are provided before the sightseeing ride begins.

What is included in the price?

The price includes use of a Segway Personal Transporter, a helmet, GST, live commentary, and full training with practice time.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from the Segway start location.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10 for the Family Fun Ride and A Taste of Segway. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight requirement?

Yes. All participants must weigh between 35 and 120 kilograms, or 75 and 265 pounds.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.