An Hour long Taste of the Segway Sensation and Sightseeing fun

See Devonport with a little extra bounce. This 90-minute Magic Broomstick Segway tour turns Auckland’s historic seaside village into a playful outdoor outing, combining waterfront views, Cheltenham Beach, old homes, and a short lesson that helps first-timers feel at ease. I like the one-on-one training and the chance to practice before moving into town. I also like the small group limit of six, which keeps the ride personal rather than turning it into a moving parade.

The main consideration is location confusion. The supplied tour details identify Waiheke Island at the top, but every meeting point and sightseeing stop points to Devonport, Auckland. I would treat Devonport as the correct destination, then confirm the address before booking or heading out. You also need reasonable agility, a weight between 35 and 120 kilograms, and the ability to climb stairs without help.

Key points before you book

• Start at Devonport Ferry Terminal: Magic Broomstick Segway Tours operates from 1 Queens Parade, inside the terminal building.
• Practice comes first: You receive full personal instruction and time to learn the controls before the sightseeing begins.
• Cheltenham Beach is the scenic payoff: The ride reaches a reserve beside the beach, with views toward the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island.
• Small groups matter: A maximum of six people makes it easier to hear the guide and receive help when needed.
• Good for first-time riders: No previous Segway experience is required, and a helmet is supplied.
• Allow about 90 minutes: The tour returns to its starting point, with no transport included to or from Devonport.

Why Devonport works so well on a Segway

Devonport is a good place for a short Segway outing because it offers several types of scenery close together. You begin beside the ferry terminal, then move along the waterfront, past sports grounds and historic homes, before reaching Cheltenham Beach. The route gives you a taste of village streets, open seaside views, and local history without asking you to commit to a full-day activity.

I like this format for a first visit to Auckland. Devonport has a distinct identity, and a Segway lets you cover more ground than walking while keeping the pace relaxed. You are not simply being driven past the sights. You are learning a new way to move, then using it to explore.

The ride is also short enough to fit around other plans. At approximately one hour and 30 minutes, it can work before or after exploring the village on foot. The return to the original meeting point makes planning simpler, especially if you are using the ferry terminal as your base.

Finding Magic Broomstick at Devonport Wharf

The meeting point is Magic Broomstick Segway Tours at Devonport Ferry Terminal, 1 Queens Parade, Devonport, Auckland 0624. Transportation to the start is not included, so you need to make your own way there. The location is near public transport, and the ferry terminal is the obvious arrival point for many people coming from Auckland.

There is one useful piece of arrival advice: the shop can be easy to miss inside the terminal. After getting off the ferry, walk into the undercover section of the pier and look for the shop on the right. If you have gone more than about 20 metres beyond the ferry area, you may have walked too far.

That small detail could save you a rushed start. Give yourself enough time to find the operator, check in, and get comfortable before the lesson begins. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup.

The first lesson makes the ride approachable

The tour begins with full training and individual practice. This is important because a Segway can look more complicated than it feels. You control the machine by shifting your body weight, and the guide gives you time to understand how it responds before taking you onto the route.

I especially like that the practice is not treated as a quick formality. The description promises one-on-one instruction and plenty of time to learn. For a first-time rider, that can make the difference between spending the tour tense and actually enjoying the scenery.

You should still expect to pay attention. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the operator does not recommend the activity for anyone who cannot climb stairs unaided. You need to be agile enough to stand, balance, steer, and react comfortably.

A helmet is supplied, and the Segway itself is included. No previous riding experience is needed, but you should arrive ready to follow instructions. The machine may be easy to learn, yet it still requires awareness around other people, streets, and changing surfaces.

From the ferry terminal to Devonport’s waterfront

Once the guide is satisfied that everyone can ride safely, the group heads along Devonport’s waterfront. This is where the outing begins to feel less like a lesson and more like sightseeing.

The water gives you a clear sense of place. Devonport faces the Hauraki Gulf, and the route provides views toward Rangitoto Island. The ride is not presented as a long-distance adventure. Its appeal is the mix of movement and outlook, with enough time to pause and take in the setting.

Live commentary is included, so the guide adds context as you go. The exact amount of historical detail is not specified, but the route includes Devonport’s historic seaside setting, older homes, sports grounds, and the Devonport Museum stop. You can expect the guide to connect what you see with the village’s past rather than simply point out streets.

The waterfront section should suit you if you want views without a strenuous hike. The Segway takes care of much of the forward motion, leaving you free to look around. Still, you are standing for the ride, so this is not a sit-down sightseeing tour.

Devonport Museum and the old village streets

The itinerary includes Devonport Museum, followed by riding through Devonport itself. The supplied details do not specify how long the group spends at the museum or whether the visit is an indoor stop, so I would think of it as part of the route rather than a separate museum tour.

The village streets offer a different mood from the open waterfront. Here, the focus shifts to restored Victorian villas and the character of Devonport’s back streets. You get to see how the area changes a few blocks away from the ferry terminal, where local homes and sports grounds replace the broad harbour views.

This part is one reason the tour works well for first-time visitors. You receive a quick introduction to Devonport’s main visual qualities without having to plan your own route. The guide also keeps you moving, which helps you see more within a limited amount of time.

There is a tradeoff. A 90-minute ride cannot provide a long museum visit or a detailed architectural tour of every historic house. If your main interest is close study of local history, you will want to return later on foot. The Segway tour is better viewed as an orientation with a fun transport element.

Cheltenham Beach and views toward Rangitoto

The route continues to a reserve at Cheltenham Beach, where the scenery opens up. This is the strongest outdoor highlight of the experience, particularly if you want a quick look at the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island.

The beach stop also gives the ride a clear destination. You are not simply circling Devonport without a purpose. You travel from the ferry terminal through the village and out to a seaside reserve, then return by Segway.

The supplied information calls this a place for Segway fun, which is a useful clue about the tone. This is not a formal beach walk or a swimming activity. You should expect time to enjoy the setting and ride, not a long stay on the sand or a water-based excursion.

Weather will affect this part of the outing. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you need to dress appropriately. If extreme weather makes riding unsafe, the operator may offer another date or a refund minus an administration fee. Comfortable clothing and sensible protection from rain or sun will make the experience more pleasant.

What the small group size adds

The maximum group size is six people. That is a strong feature for a beginner activity because the guide can keep a closer eye on each rider and provide help when needed.

Small numbers also improve the commentary. You are less likely to lose the guide’s voice while moving through the village, and questions should be easier to handle than in a large group. The personal feel fits the training element, especially for people who have never used a Segway.

The group limit does not mean the tour is private. Other people may be riding with you, and the exact composition of the group can change. Still, six is a manageable number for a short guided outing.

The experience has a very high satisfaction record in the supplied material, with a five out of five rating from 13 reviews and 100 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as a guarantee. It does, however, match the practical strengths of the tour: clear training, a scenic route, and a guide-led introduction to the town.

The guide’s role and the local touch

The operator’s response to one booking identifies Pauline by name and describes teaching people to ride and showing them around town. That gives the business a friendly, personal feel, although the information does not promise that Pauline will lead every departure.

The guide’s role matters here. A Segway tour succeeds or fails partly on instruction. The best guide for this activity is not just someone who knows the streets, but someone who can help nervous beginners relax while still keeping the group safe and together.

One particularly useful arrival note came from a rider who had trouble locating the shop. The operator responded by explaining that Magic Broomstick is somewhat hidden inside the terminal building. That is practical local knowledge, and it reinforces the need to look inside the undercover ferry area rather than searching along the wider street.

Is $55.85 a fair price?

At $55.85 per person, the price covers the Segway, helmet, GST, live commentary, personal training, and practice time. You are paying for equipment and instruction as well as sightseeing.

I consider that reasonable if you value an active introduction to Devonport and have never ridden a Segway. The training is a real part of the experience, not just an add-on, and the small group limit gives the guide room to help each person.

The value is less clear if you are already comfortable walking around Devonport and mainly want a long, detailed history tour. The activity lasts about 90 minutes, and it does not include transport to the terminal or any separate admission listed for a museum visit. You are buying a compact experience, not an all-day sightseeing package.

Booking trends show that the tour is often reserved about 56 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your Auckland schedule is fixed, especially if you need a particular date. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, with the local start time used for the cutoff.

Who should choose this Devonport ride?

I would recommend it to first-time Auckland visitors who want something more active than a walking tour but less demanding than a full outdoor excursion. It is also a good fit for people who enjoy trying a new form of transport and want a short activity with clear instruction.

Families can consider it, but children must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age is 10 for the Family Fun Ride and A Taste of Segway. Every participant must weigh between 35 and 120 kilograms, or 75 and 265 pounds.

You should think twice if you have limited balance, difficulty standing for a period of time, or trouble climbing stairs independently. The operator specifically advises against the tour for people who are not agile enough to climb stairs unaided.

The activity runs in all weather, so it is not only a fair-weather option. That can be useful for planning, but it also means you should not assume a sunny beach ride. The operator makes the final safety call during extreme conditions.

Practical details for a smooth outing

Keep these points in mind before you go:

• Allow about 90 minutes for the full activity.
• Meet at Magic Broomstick Segway Tours inside Devonport Ferry Terminal.
• Arrange your own transportation to and from the start.
• Arrive early enough to locate the shop inside the undercover pier area.
• Wear clothing suited to the weather.
• Confirm that every rider meets the age, weight, fitness, and agility requirements.
• Expect the tour to finish where it began.
• If you cancel, do so at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund.
• Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Magic Broomstick tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact way to see Devonport, especially if you are new to Segways. The strongest reasons are the personal training, small groups, waterfront route, and Cheltenham Beach views toward Rangitoto Island. The guide’s local touch, including practical help finding the tucked-away meeting point, adds to the appeal.

Skip it if you want a long museum visit, a detailed architectural study, or a fully covered transport package. Also confirm the location before booking, since the supplied summary says Waiheke Island while the actual meeting point and route are in Devonport.

For the right person, this is a cheerful way to spend an hour and a half: enough sightseeing to get oriented, enough practice to learn something new, and enough seaside scenery to make the ride feel like more than a novelty.

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 meeting point inside Devonport Ferry Terminal.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Do I need previous Segway experience?

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

Is a helmet included?

Yes. Magic Broomstick supplies a Segway Personal Transporter and helmet.

What is the minimum age?

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

How many people can join one tour?

The maximum is six participants per tour booking.

Are there weight requirements?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

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