Days Bay is one of Wellington’s most satisfying half-day escapes — a sheltered harbour bay on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour, 20 minutes from Queens Wharf by East by West Ferry. The arrival by water, the beach, the café at the wharf, and the native bush of East Harbour Regional Park rising behind the bays make Days Bay feel genuinely removed from the city, even though it’s well within the harbour. The nearby village of Eastbourne adds a quiet, unhurried main street to the itinerary.
Practical Information
| Ferry operator | East by West Ferries — eastbywest.co.nz |
|---|---|
| Departure | Queens Wharf, Wellington city |
| Journey time | ~20 minutes to Days Bay |
| Timetable | Runs daily — check timetable at eastbywest.co.nz |
| Cost | Adult return ~$20; child return ~$10 (check current fares) |
| Parking (driving) | Free street parking in Eastbourne and Days Bay |
Days Bay
Days Bay has a sandy beach directly at the wharf, sheltered from the harbour’s southerlies by the surrounding hills. The bay is safe for swimming in summer, and the flat grassy foreshore is popular with families and picnickers arriving by ferry. Rona Bay Surf Lifesaving Club provides patrol cover at Days Bay beach in summer.
A café operates at the Days Bay wharf building. The historic Days Bay Pavilion, a restored 1920s building above the beach, provides covered shelter and has operated as a visitor facility for over a century.
East Harbour Regional Park
East Harbour Regional Park covers the steep forested hills behind Days Bay, Eastbourne and the coast south to Pencarrow. The park is managed by Greater Wellington and has a network of walking tracks through native bush, with ridge tracks offering elevated views over Wellington Harbour and the Remutaka Range.
The Butterfly Creek Track (2.5km, 1.5 hours return from Days Bay) is the most accessible park track from the ferry landing — a short climb into native bush above the bay. The Pencarrow Lighthouse Walk begins at the southern end of the Eastbourne foreshore road (around 15km return from Days Bay — a full day’s walk, or a shorter drive to the trailhead).
Eastbourne Village
The village of Eastbourne is a 10-minute walk south along the foreshore from Days Bay. It has a quiet main street with cafés, an ice cream shop, a bakery and small galleries. The atmosphere is relaxed and distinctly different from the city — Eastbourne has long been popular with Wellington families as a seaside retreat. The flat foreshore road between Days Bay and Eastbourne makes for an easy walk or cycle.
What Visitors Say
“The ferry ride alone is worth it — watching the Wellington waterfront recede as you cross the harbour is a great start to the day. Days Bay beach, an ice cream in Eastbourne, and a short walk in the bush above — perfect half day.” — NeatPlaces, Days Bay review
Where to Learn More
East by West Ferries has current timetables, fares and booking for the Queens Wharf to Days Bay service.
East Harbour Regional Park — Greater Wellington has track maps, facilities and access information for all park tracks above Days Bay and Eastbourne.
Days Bay and Eastbourne — WellingtonNZ covers the ferry, beach and village with current visitor information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Days Bay?
By East by West Ferry from Queens Wharf in Wellington city. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. Ferries run daily — check the timetable at eastbywest.co.nz. You can also drive via the Hutt Valley and Eastbourne Road (~45 minutes).
Is there a beach at Days Bay?
Yes — a sandy harbour beach directly at the wharf. Sheltered and safe for swimming in summer. The Rona Bay Surf Lifesaving Club patrols Days Bay beach in the summer season.
What is the Pencarrow Lighthouse Walk?
A walking track along the coast south from Eastbourne to Pencarrow Head and its lighthouse — about 15km return from Eastbourne, or shorter if you drive to the Pencarrow trailhead. A full-day walk offering dramatic harbour and coast views.
Is there food at Days Bay?
Yes — a café at the Days Bay wharf, and cafés, an ice cream shop and a bakery in Eastbourne village, a 10-minute walk south along the foreshore.
Can I cycle from Wellington to Days Bay?
Not directly — there is no cycling route across the harbour. You can take a bike on the ferry (check East by West’s bike policy) and cycle the foreshore road between Days Bay and Eastbourne.
What walks are available from Days Bay?
The Butterfly Creek Track is the closest walk from the ferry landing (2.5km, 1.5 hrs return). The full East Harbour Regional Park network has longer ridge tracks with views over the harbour.
Days Bay is covered as a day trip on Day Trips from Wellington. The Hutt Valley Cycle Network connects Petone foreshore to Upper Hutt on the western side of the harbour. Mātiu/Somes Island is another harbour island accessible by ferry from Queens Wharf.
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