Route Guides
There are currently 4 main sections that make up the 40Km+ long ‘primary Great Harbour Way route’ from Miramar Cutting or the airport to Pencarrow Lighthouse. These sections provide excellent off-road walking & cycling facilities. Most of the route is flat. The only substantial climb is up to the Pencarrow Lighthouse at the end.
You can do 1 or more sections depending on your itinerary and start from either direction. To keep things simple, we assume clockwise travel around the harbour
Primary Great Harbour Way Route
Miramar Wharf to Wellington Waterfront
The route between Miramar and the Wellington Waterfront follows the award-winning Tahitai separated walking and shared paths, taking you along several lovely bays. This is one of Wellington’s most scenic and accessible urban walks and rides, suitable for all ages and abilities. Cobham Drive is the last section before Miramar wharf and has a number of interesting wind sculptures.
Wellington Waterfront to Ngauranga
This is the only section of the Great Harbour Way that does not follow the harbour edge. There’s a nice view over the city as you cross the Stadium Link. You get to enjoy the nice new bi-directional Thorndon Quay cycleway if you are biking. At Ngauranga, the route goes back to the harbour coastline at the start of the wonderful Te Ara Tupua path.
Ngauranga to Petone (Te Ara Tupua)
Experience the world-class Te Ara Tupua path that follows the harbour shore between Ngauranga and Petone. Along the way, read all about the history of the early Māori settlers and how the construction of this path includes features to encourage marine life, seabirds, and even native lizards.
The route continues along the wonderful Petone foreshore with its iconic wharf.
Petone to Days Bay
This section of the route starts at the lovely Petone foreshore and takes you through the Hikoikoi Reserve with a small detour to a nice estuary by a group of boatsheds, before crossing over to Seaview via the Waione Bridge over the Hutt River, from where it follows the waterfront to Point Howard, where the wonderful Tupua Horo Nuku path takes you all the way to Days Bay.
Days Bay to Pencarrow
Enjoy a lovely, relaxed walk or ride from Days Bay to Eastbourne and on to Burdan’s Gate, from where you will follow the wonderful wild coastline along a gravel track to the iconic Pencarrow Lighthouse.
Extended Great Harbour Way Route
Our vision for the Great Harbour Way is the full 90km route from Red Rocks to Baring Head. We will continue to advocate for this. In the meantime, this extended route can be taken if you are happy to share the road with vehicles for part of the route. These are the three extended sections.
Experience the stunning scenery of the wild south coast and the harbour entrance. The first part involves a return trip to Red Rocks/Sinclair Head, after which you will follow several beautiful bays before arriving in Eastbourne.
Enjoy some of Wellington’s most memorable coastal scenery, including wonderful views across the harbour. Visit historic forts and the beautiful Massey Memorial.
Permission is required from the park ranger to take this route, as it crosses private land. But well worth it as the views from the Baring Head Lighthouse are fantastic. You can even book a stay at the historic lighthouse cottage.