Pencarrow Coast, lighthouses and lakes
Cycle Trails
Pack a picnic and head out to New Zealand’s first permanent lighthouse, set alongside the Parangarahu coastal lakes within East Harbour Regional Park.
Location
Pencarrow Upper Lighthouse
A Day at the Pencarrow Lightnhouse
Distances
Lighthouses return: 16km (1.5 hrs cycle / ~4 hrs walk)
Lakes loop: up to 22km return
Walk or cycle the easy 8km gravel track from Burdans Gate in Eastbourne to reach the lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll pass wetlands, lakes and expansive coastal views.
Local tip: Book a gourmet platter at Pencarrow Lodge for a lunch stop with a difference on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Kaikōura ranges.
Continue on to explore both lighthouses. The original 1859 lighthouse on the hill and the lower lighthouse (1906) on the shoreline or carry on to the Parangarahu Lakes for a longer loop.
A Day at the Pencarrow Lightnhouse
8:00am — Start in Eastbourne at Hive Café. Coffee, something light, and a slow start before heading out.
9:00am — Head to Pencarrow Coast (Burdan’s Gate). Park up, get sorted, and get ready to ride or walk.
9:15am — Ride or walk the coastal track. Wide, gravel, and flat to start easy going with big coastal views the whole way.
10:45am — Reach the Lower Lighthouse. A good checkpoint. Turn around here or keep going if you’re up for it.
11:15am — Climb to Pencarrow Upper Lighthouse. Short, sharp climb. Worth it for the views across the harbour.
12:00pm – Stop, reset, and take it in. Find a spot, have a snack, and actually slow down. This is the part you don’t rush.
12:45pm – Head back along the coast. Cruise back at your own pace.
2:30pm – Late lunch back in Eastbourne. Head back to Hive Café or take your pick of nearby spots.
4:00pm – Easy finish. Call it there or take a slow wander along the beach before heading home.
LOCAL TIP:
You don’t have to drive! If you’ve got time, catch the ferry to Days Bay Wharf and start from there. It turns a simple ride into more of a day out without changing the plan too much.
How to get there
Click on the map to open Google Maps navigation.
Best route
Eastbourne is around 30–45 minutes from Wellington by car or ferry.
You can also catch the number 83 bus and walk from Burdans Gate.
There are no facilities along the route, so bring food, water, layers and sun protection it can get windy.
Access beyond the lakes is managed by Greater Wellington, so check conditions before you go.