Walk the Great Harbour Way
You don’t have to walk the whole Great Harbour Way to enjoy it. Choose a short waterfront stroll, a half-day adventure, a full day walk or a multi-day journey around Wellington Harbour. With beaches, bays, parks, cafés, city sights and wild coastal landscapes, there is a walk to suit almost everyone. Many sections can be reached or left by public transport.
Choose a walk based on the time you have. Each walk includes the distance, walking time, highlights, starting point and options for getting there and back.
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How much time do you have?
Short Walks
Great choices if you have limited time or want an easy introduction to the harbour.
Wellington Waterfront
Explore the city’s waterfront, museums, harbour edge and famous landmarks.
Tahitai (Oriental Bay to Evans Bay)
A beautiful harbour-side walk along Wellington’s eastern bays from Oriental Bay to Evans Bay.
Te Ara Tupua (Ngauranga to Petone)
Experience this amazing ‘path of the ancients’ and learn about these early Māori settlers who lived along this harbour shoreline.
Petone foreshore to Waione Bridge
A relaxing walk along Petone beach and through the Hikoikoi reserve. Bring a frisbee and have a go at disc golf here.
Tupua Horo Nuku (Days Bay to Seaview)
Take the ferry across the harbour and walk along lovely bays with nice swimming beaches, bordered by beautiful green hills.
Days Bay to Eastbourne
Take a short walk from the Days Bay wharf to the lovely village of Eastbourne; great for a visit to one of the cafes or having a nice icecream.
Half-days walks
Combine walking with sightseeing, lunch, a swim or a visit to one of Wellington’s seaside suburbs.
Days Bay – Petone – Te Ara Tupua
Take the ferry across the harbour to Days Bay and walk along world-class new shared paths and visit wonderful Petone.
Days Bay – Pencarrow Lighthouse
A relaxed walk to Eastbourne and on to Burdan’s Gate, then a gravel track to Pencarrow with its fantastic views from the lighthouse.
Red Rocks – Lyall Bay
Take the bus to Owhiro Bay and from there do the return walk to Red Rocks. After that carry along the south coast till Lyall Bay.
Lyall Bay – Miramar Wharf
Take the bus to Lyall Bay, then follow the south coast route to the entrance of the harbour and carry on around the Miramar Peninsula.
Highlights
beaches – harbour views – Oriental Bay cafes – boat sheds – spotting dolphins or orcas in the harbour
Best for
Keen walkers, families
Start
Lyall Bay
Surfaces
Footpaths, sealed tracks, road
Finish
Miramar Wharf
Full-day walks
For keen walkers who want to cover a substantial part of the Great Harbour Way in one day.
Miramar – Petone
Take the bus to Seatoun, walk the Miramar Peninsula, and follow the harbour to Wellington and on to the Te Ara Tupua path and Petone.
Highlights
Te Papa, Maritime Museum, Whairepo Lagoon, waterfront sculptures, cafes and restaurants, easy access to the Wellington city centre.
Best for
Intrepid walkers with 1-2 days available.
Start
Seatoun Wharf
Surfaces
Shared/foot paths, on road around the Miramar Peninsula.
Finish
Petone
Petone – Pencarrow Lighthouse
From Petone walk to Eastbourne following the wonderful Tupua Horo Nuku path, then carry on to Pencarrow and return to Eastbourne.
Highlights
Petone foreshore, bays with nice swimming beaches, Days Bay park & cafe, Eastbourne ice-cream shop, views from Pencarrow lighthouse.
Best for
Intrepid walkers with 1-2 days available.
Start
Petone
Surfaces
Shared / foot paths, gravel truck, dirt track up to the lighthouse.
Finish
Eastbourne or Days Bay
Walk the whole Great Harbour Way
Intrepid walkers can do the whole 90km walk between Red Rocks at the Cook Strait and Pencarrow Lighthouse at the eastern side of the harbour entrance. It can be done comfortably in three days, or four days if you have more time. Enjoy overnighting in Wellington, Petone and Eastbourne along the way.
SUGGESTED 3-DAY JOURNEY
Day 1 – Red Rocks to Miramar
Start with the return walk to Red Rocks and carry on along the South Coast and the Miramar Peninsula.
SUGGESTED 3-DAY JOURNEY
Day 2 – Miramar to Petone
Start with the return walk to Red Rocks and carry on along the South Coast and the Miramar Peninsula.
SUGGESTED 3-DAY JOURNEY
Day 3 – Petone to Pencarrow Lighthouse
Start with the return walk to Red Rocks and carry on along the South Coast and the Miramar Peninsula.
PLAN YOUR RETURN
Public transport
Start with the return walk to Red Rocks and carry on along the South Coast and the Miramar Peninsula.