Wellington

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Revision as of 19:23, 15 August 2013

Wellington, New Zealand (Port of Entry)

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	41°25.00′S, 174°52.00′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
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	41°1.00′S, 174°71.00′E
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	Local chartlet

Overview

Wellington lies at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island. It is often the stepping off point for those wanting to cross Cook Strait and cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Wellington’s harbour, called Lambton Harbour is a beautiful horse shoe shape, surrounded by many forested high hills. The entire harbour is safe for large and small ships, with few rocks, good depths in almost every part, and a modest tide of no more than 1 ½ metres (excluding spring). But of course like anywhere in the roaring forties, it can get rough and very windy.

Wellington city itself has a population of about 185,000, and taking account the wider population of its four satellite cities the total population is 380.000. Public transport around Wellington is good, although a little expensive, with frequent bus and train services.

For the cruising yachtie Wellington isn’t somewhere you’d typically choose to go except either as a stop off on your way to the South Island, or you have residents there that you wish to visit. That’s not to say that Wellington doesn’t have attractions and charm, it does in abundance, but for those on their way to the Marlborough Sounds consider the alternative of a layover at Mana near the satellite city of Porirua, assuming you’ve passaged down the North Island’s west coast. Refer to the information on marinas below.

Attractions for Wellington city itself include the world renowned Te Papa, the national museum. Te Papa is a new addition to the capital and one of the world’s first ‘interactive’ museums. Te Papa is set right on the water front, in the midst of the central business district. It’s actually a very short walk from the Chaffers Marina.

Wellington once had a reputation for being dull and grey, full of dour civil servants dressed in drab clothes. But since around 1985 that reputation hasn’t been deserved. The city is now vibrant, busy and colourful with outdoor bars and cafes throughout the inner city. The culture of Wellington City is one of relaxed shopping. Try a ‘flat white’, New Zealand’s own contribution to coffee drinking. We’ll discuss some of the attractions below, but if you do stopover you will enjoy your stay.

Cruising the region

Wellington and Porirua Harbours are the only safe havens in this rather bleak (and sometimes most hostile) coast south of New Plymouth on the west coast and Napier on the east coast of the North Island. Lying within the notorious Cook Strait there's really nowhere to cruise or gunkhole. It can also be very windy, with Cook Strait creating a natural wind funnel thorough the region.

Charts

Land Information NZ

NZ46 Cook Strait (1:200000) or

NZ463 Approaches to Wellington Harbour (1:100000)

NZ4633 – Wellington Harbour (1:25000)

NZ4634 – Wellington Harbour Entrance & Wharves (chartlet scale varies)

NZ4632 – Approaches to Porirua Harbour (1:16000)

Radio Nets

• See New Zealand
• Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

Sources for Weather forecasts:

• NZ Met Service
• Met Victoria University

Wellington is located next to Cook Strait, which forms a narrow gap between the mountain ranges of the North and South Islands. This gap between the islands and mountain ranges accelerates the wind through the Cook Strait making Wellington a very windy city.

Wellington’s average wind speed was measure at 22 km/hr (source data for 1971 to 2000). During the same period there were an average of 22 days per year with wind speeds over gale force (63km/h). Wellington tops the mean wind speed comparisons (for New Zealand) with the notable exception of the Chatham Islands and ranks number 3 behind Kaikoura and Scott Base, Antartica for the number of gale force days.

October is the windiest month of the year with a mean 27 days of wind speeds over 15 knots, 19 of those days are over 20 knots. July is the least windy month with a mean of 21 days with wind speeds over 15 knots, 12 of those days are over 20 knots. October to January is the windiest time of year with the least windy months extending from February to July.

For wind speeds of 15-20 knots, northerlies are the most common a massive 80.6% of the time, the next closest frequency direction is from the South at 13.1%. Westerly (WNW, W, WSW) and Easterly (ENE, E, ESE) wind directions are not represented at all. Higher wind speeds over 20 knots show a similar distribution. The bias to direct Northerly and Southerly wind directions is probably slightly exaggerated by the North South alignment of the hills surrounding the airport (where the study was undertaken).

Wellington is not only known for its frequently windy conditions but for the strength of its wind. The Metservice reports the following extreme wind conditions in Wellington: • Wellington averages 173 days a year with wind gusts greater than about 60 km/h (32knots) and gales in the Wellington region regularly measure gusts over 140km/h (75 knots). • The strongest wind speeds where recorded at Hawkins Hill at an incredible 248km/h (134 knots) on the 6 November 1959 and 4 July 1962.

Approach and Navigation

Don't hesitate to contact Wellington Harbour control (Beacon Hill) on channel 16 for help.

As with all New Zeland ports, lights and markers are carefully maintained and can be relied on to operate.

Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)

Wellington is a Customs Port of Entry so if this is your first port of call you'll need to contact Customs and make arrangements as per the instructions for New Zealand.

Islands

There are two islands within the harbour, the first seen as you enter is really a large rock called Ward Island. Ward Island is a popular picnic site in the summer. There’s an anchorage with good holding on the eastern side, just off the sandy beach.

A couple of miles north is a larger island called Sommes Island. Sommes Island is a DOC (Dept of Conservation) reserve and well worth a visit. To walk around the entire island takes about 2 hours at a leisurely pace and in summer it’s a popular place to walk and picnic. The island is served by regular ferry service several times a day throughout the year. The writer has always felt Sommes Island is a gem in the capital’s crown and encourages all visitors (and Wellingtonians) to make the visit.

At the north eastern end of the island is the ferry service jetty where pleasure boats may offload passengers. 100 metres north of the jetty are 2 free DOC mooring buoys where it is expected the skipper will tie up and then dinghy to the shore to meet his/her passengers. DOC is fastidious that no one inadvertently introduces any creatures or weeds to the island. So they will check the bags and shoes of all visitors and there is a building by the jetty for that purpose.

The two DOC mooring buoys at Sommes island are also often used by overnight cruisers, they’re free and relatively sheltered, but can be a little rolly in a northerly.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Chaffers Marina Evans Bay MNarina Seaview Marina Mana Marina

Anchorages

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Within a walking distance of all the marinas are numerous small boat supply stores, although most geared to small power and fishing boats.

Repairs/Yards

As above, with many small workshops and repair yards. As a rule you'll find these guys innovative and willing to tackle any problem. Appreciate that most locals will regard a visiting cruiiser as being very wealthy and so may not be concerned about taking a few extra hours or days on your project. So you really need to manage any work you need done.

The marina has a travel lift and hard stand area.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel There are several service stations offerring diesel, petrol and LPG within walking distance of the marinas. The marinas all have diesel available.

Water The tap water is clean, free and drinkable, with taps all around the marinas.

Electricity 240 volt

Tourism and Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

Check with marina

Laundry

Coin machines at all the marinas

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Dumpsters at all the marinas, along with oil recycling tanks

Transportation

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

A very friendly place.

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

August 2013

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