Across Wellington Harbour from the city is Days Bay, Eastborne, which can be reached by the Dominion Post Ferry or by driving around the shoreline from Wellington. At the end of the road commences a track which takes you to Pencarrow Head and the Pencarrow Lighthouse.
On a pleasant day this is a good, brisk walk which we completed return in just over 3 hours, although the information map estimate is more than 4 hours.
Interislander and South Island Mountains
Pleasant views across the harbour to Wellington city spur you on and soon you are looking out to the Cook Straight. On a clear day you will see, as we did, the South Island. We could actually just make out the snow-capped Kaikoura mountain ranges.
Pencarrow Lighthouse was the first permanent lighthouse in New Zealand and first shone it’s light in 1859. The harsh conditions and isolation experienced by the Lighthouse Keeper and their families is described on information boards as you approach the lighthouse. Pencarrow was also home to New Zealand’s first – and only – female lighthouse keeper, Mary Bennett.
Lighthouse
The rugged coastline reminded me of East Lothian in Scotland, and I most certainly felt at home, the gorse bushes aiding the sentiment!
The track is a popular biking route, as well as the shore being popular with fishermen and divers and it was also lovely to see lots of families setting out for a late afternoon wander.
coast walk
me and my partner did the walk this saturday.
we only walked to the bottom light house though.
will deffinately do it again but next time on bikes, absolutely wiped out from the walk when we got home:)
Well done, Hollie. It’s a good walk, eh?! Yeah, we thought about bikes for next time, they can be hired nearby if needed. Enjoy!