Exploring Pencarrow Lighthouse
Pencarrow Lighthouse is situated at the southeast entrance of Wellington Harbour. The lighthouse, dating back to 1859, was notably managed by the country's only female lighthouse keeper, Mary Jane Bennett. It was also the first permanent lighthouse in New Zealand. This historic site is accessible by a scenic walk or cycle from Burdan’s Gate, located south of Eastbourne.
Walking and Cycling to the Lighthouse
The trip to Pencarrow Lighthouse begins at the end of the public road at Burdan’s Gate. From here, you can either walk or cycle along a mostly flat, metal road that runs down the east side of the harbour. The round trip takes about 4 hours on foot or 1.5 hours by bike. During summer and holiday weekends, bike rentals are available at Burdan’s Gate, making it easier to explore the area.
Upon reaching the lighthouse, you will need to climb 100 metres to the top of the headland where the historic structure stands. The lighthouse has panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Exploring Beyond the Lighthouse
Beyond the lighthouse, the track continues around the south coast, leading to the Pencarrow Lakes, Lake Kohangapiripiri and further on to Lake Kohangatera. While these lakes are picturesque and have walking tracks, swimming is not allowed because they are ecologically significant. In addition, swimming is not recommended at the beaches south of Burdan’s Gate due to strong currents. The area is exposed, so it is important to check the weather conditions before setting out.
How to Get There
To reach Pencarrow Lighthouse, head to Burdan’s Gate, located south of Eastbourne. From Central Wellington, take the motorway to Petone. From Petone, follow the Esplanade around the north end of Wellington Harbour. The main road has multiple name changes as you head south towards Eastbourne. Continue south through Eastbourne on Muritai Road. This becomes Great Harbour Way / Te Aranui o Pōneke as you continue to the car park at Burdans Gate. The drive takes 34 minutes and is 27 km.
On the west side of the harbour entrance, you can explore the Miramar Peninsula, including beaches at Breaker Bay, Worser Bay and Scorching Bay.
Photography Credit: @wanderingpraani_
