Herald NOW: Daily News Update: 16 June 2025. Video / Herald NOW
A unique Wellington cafe and bar in an old tugboat is on the market for $220,000.
The “well established” venue, housed in a 66-year-old decommissioned tugboat, is being marketed as a favourite haunt of locals and tourists with the city’s best harbour views.
Its Trade Me listing describes it asa “rare opportunity” and states the fully licensed venue can seat more than 100 guests.
“Whether you’re an experienced hospitality professional or an ambitious newcomer, this cafe delivers an incredible foundation with strong earnings, prime location, and plenty of potential to grow”, the listing reads.
The Boat floating cafe is permanently moored adjacent to Freyberg Pool, at the southern end of Wellington's Oriental Bay.
The floating venue is said to be popular with both tourists and locals. Photo / www.boatcafe.co.nz
The current business operates 9am to 5pm daily, but has the ability to expand further into dinner service.
The steam tug, which is not included in the purchase, was originally named the Aucklander and came from Scotland in 1958, the cafe’s website states.
The nearly 40-metre-long vessel was withdrawn from service in 1987, and deregistered in 1990, according to the Clyde Maritime Research Trust.
The historic steam tug was deregistered in 1990. Photo / Clyde Maritime Research Trust
Hospitality operator Clem Griffiths, who also owns Cuba Street Irish pub JJ Murphy’s, transformed it into the capital’s first and only floating restaurant in 1992.
Ethan Manera New Zealand Herald journalist based in Wellington. He joined NZME in 2023 as a broadcast journalist and is interested in local issues, politics and property in the capital. Ethan can be emailed at ethan.manera@nzme.co.nz.
