This is a great walking route along the beach. We also go to see Seals! When we did it it was very windy and a bit rainy so I bet it's even nicer on a sunny day!
See unique red rock formations on the Wellington south coast
Pariwhero/Red Rocks is a tourist attraction in Wellington with unusual rock formations created by ancient volcanic pillow lava embedded in younger greywacke, along with red and green siltstone. Our site is located on the south coast between Owhiro Bay and Sinclair Head/Rimurapa. Visitors can walk, cycle, or four-wheel drive along the unsealed road from Owhiro Bay Quarry. On Sundays, the gate is closed, and the route is open only for walkers and mountain bikers. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash and at least 20m from wildlife. Beyond the red rocks, our area extends to Sinclair Head, where seals can be seen in winter.
This is a great walking route along the beach. We also go to see Seals! When we did it it was very windy and a bit rainy so I bet it's even nicer on a sunny day!
Free parking, food caravan mon-fri, toilets in carpark. Beautiful views. Walk at your pace, stop for a swim , snorkel or just take in the amazing scenery.
A place you must to visit in Welly ! It takes about 4 hours walking so you should start at 2-3 pm is the best! And wear the sport shoes please!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Red Rocks / Pariwhero Just 8 km from Wellington CBD, it’s hard to believe a place this raw and beautiful is hidden so close to the heart of the city. Red Rocks (Pariwhero) is one of Wellington’s historic coastal landmarks and offers stunning scenery that feels completely untouched. To reach the rocks, be prepared for either a rough 1 km walk or access via a proper four-wheel-drive vehicle. Beyond the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, the road becomes extremely rough and not suitable for normal cars or motorbikes. Don’t try your luck this road is unforgiving. The reward is absolutely worth it dramatic red rock formations, wild coastal views, and a peaceful atmosphere. If you continue further along the coast, you may even spot seals, and occasionally whales. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors exploring Wellington. This is one place you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Absolutely love this place! The natural surroundings and stunning sea views make it such a special spot. It’s fascinating to see how an old quarry has been transformed into a reserve- yet you can still spot traces of its industrial past, which adds to the character of the area. We spotted some seals amongst the seaside rocks and of course THE actual red rocks. If you’re a rock enthusiast, it’s quite fascinating to see the rock formations and colours. The track is shared with four-wheel drive enthusiasts (except on Sundays, when they’re not allowed), and watching the 4WDs navigate steep and rugged parts of the trail can be quite the spectacle! It’s definitely become one of my favourite places to hike in Wellington. I’d happily come back. There’s also a small open-plan museum near the entrance that offers some insight into the history of the reserve and the local wildlife- worth a quick stop. Another highlight for us was discovering a little caravan café parked near the carpark, serving up excellent coffee and Chelsea buns at reasonable prices- such a treat after a solid three-hour hike! Seems like a popular track, we visited on a Saturday during a long weekend, and the carpark was buzzing with cars, four-wheel drives, campervans and even a large tour bus.
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