Stay at the Assistant Lightkeepers Cottage

What to bring

All your own food and personal items, including cooking oil/butter and body wash, shampoo etc. The nearest supermarket and restaurants are in Wainuiomata 18km away, and food deliveries into the park are not permitted.

Baring Head is a windy and exposed landscape, so bring warm and windproof clothing and sun protection. It can be cold at any time of year. Remember your good walking shoes!

What's provided

• All bed linen and towels
• Heating - ducted heat pump to all rooms
• Water - Drinking water is filtered. Hot and cold water come from rainwater tank supplies. Note: Water supplies are limited so please minimise your water use. Don’t leave taps running. Baring Head receives a third of Wellington’s annual rainfall and very little in summer
• Fully equipped kitchen
  • Stove with four-ring electric top and oven
  • Toaster, microwave, fridge with small freezer, kettle
  • Pots and pans, cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery
  • Chopping boards, baking dishes and trays
  • Serving dishes
  • Salt and pepper
  • Tea towels
  • Dish detergent
• Fire extinguisher and fire blanket
• Toilet paper
• Hand soap, cleaning products and equipment
• Rubbish bags, bins and recycling bins
• Extension cord for charging e-bikes
• On-grid power supply
• Outside has a small washing line and drying rack, picnic table and bike rack

Not provided

• No WIFI. There is a cell phone tower just outside the cottage. Cell phone coverage is variable in other parts of the park.
• No TV or sound system
• BBQ not provided
• No hair dryer, body soap, shampoo & conditioner
• EV charging not available
• No laundry facilities (washing machine, dryer, tub or iron)
• No highchair or cot for young children

The assistant lightkeepers house is located on the Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui headland, inside East Harbour Regional Park, so there’s plenty to see and do during your stay. Take a walk or cycle around the network of tracks, stroll along remote unspoilt beaches, hike to the WWII observation post, or stick around the complex to check out the lighthouse and learn about the history of the area in the Story Hub,

Around the complex

Historic lighthouse and views  

Just 35 metres from the cottage is Maritime New Zealand’s Baring Head lighthouse, completed in 1935. Perched 87m above Raukawa Moana/Cook Strait, this spot offers epic views of the harbour and across to the South Island. Find out more about the lighthouse’s history.

To the east there are views to the mouth of the Wainuiomata River and Turakirae Head. To the north you can see Fitzroy Bay and the two Parangarahu Lakes. Take care near the cliff edge, there is no fence.

Next to the lighthouse there is NIWA’s Atmospheric Research Station which has been in operation for almost 50 years. For a more immersive look at the history of the NIWA station and lighthouse, check out the Story Hub.

The Story Hub

The Story Hub building next door to the Assistant Lightkeepers Cottage has a wealth of information and interactive displays covering the rich history of the area. From iwi and early settler history to defense history, lighthouse keeping and shipwrecks.

Heritage and restoration work around the complex

In July 2023 the Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui lighthouse complex, WWII remnant structures and the Maritime NZ lighthouse were added to the Heritage New Zealand List/Rārangi Kōrero. Historic heritage and landscape restoration work is ongoing. The main lightkeepers cottage will become available for public overnight stays after restoration work is completed.

The Garage Hut within the lighthouse complex is a conservation volunteer base. Camping associated with volunteer use of the Hut is permitted.

To find out more the amazing restoration work, or volunteer to help with heritage and landscape conservation and restoration activities, contact the Friends of Baring Head or visit the redevelopment page.

Walks and rides in the park

Trig and WWII observation post

Walk up the escarpment hill to enjoy the stunning 360-degree views. From the cottage, it’s 1 km to the top with a 167m elevation climb. It’s hard to stand up on a windy day but well worth the short walk. You can find the remains of the WWII observation post around the Trig point. 

Fitzroy Bay  

Walk or ride along the coast to the north to Fitzroy Bay – it’s a 2 km walk from the cottage or walk along the fire break track on the ridge from the Trig, over the access road to a knoll with Fitzroy Bay views.  

Wainuiomata beach and river circuit  

A 1.5 km walk to the east leads you to the Wainuiomata Beach, river mouth and lagoon. This route starts flat but becomes a steep gravel track to the beach. 

Walk back via the river track and up the park access road or fire break track.

See the trail information and maps of Baring Head/ Ōrua-pouanui.

Other activities

Fishing and beachcombing  

Walking on the beaches is an experience highlight of this area. Fitzroy Bay and Wainuiomata beaches are 30-minute walk from the cottage to the north and east. Caution is required. The sea is hazardous, there are large waves, strong currents and undertows are always present. These beaches are unsafe for swimming.  

The areas either side of the Wainuiomata and Orongorongo Rivers are popular spots for fishing. Kahawai, snapper and other fish can be caught. Find out about fishing licences and information.

Surfing

In the right conditions, there is a small surf break east of the Orongorongo River. It's only suitable for experienced surfers. 

Rock climbing and bouldering

Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui was the birthplace of bouldering in New Zealand. The bouldering rocks are on the beach 2.5km east of the lighthouse complex on Wainuiomata Beach. You can get there via the track from the car park following the directions for Wainuiomata Beach, then lookout for a steep track to the beach. Find out more about bouldering.

Hang gliding and paragliding

Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui is a popular spot for hang gliders and paragliders. Find out more about hang gliding and paragliding.

Guests must follow the cottage and park rules. Failure to follow the rules is a breach of the terms and conditions of your reservation. We reserve the right to evict or trespass any guest or park visitor who fails to adhere to cottage or park rules of use.

Cottage rules

• Read the cottage manual for directions about appliances and cleaning.
• Contact our booking agent if any issues arise or see the information in the cottage.
• Maximum six overnight occupants.
• Maximum stay seven nights.
• Cottage guest vehicles are limited to two per booking.
• Guest vehicle parking is limited to the Lighthouse complex carpark and nowhere else.
• No dogs or other pets in the cottage.
• No parties or events. There are immediate park neighbours. Please respect their needs for quiet. No loud noise from 11pm to 6am.
• Small day visit gatherings are limited to twelve people in total and must comply with the rules regarding noise.
• Music or noisy activities are only permitted indoors. This is a Hutt City Consent rule.
• Responsible use of alcohol is required.
• Total Fire Ban - No fires, candles, or BBQs. Note: cottage fireplaces are not functional.
• No smoking or vaping. Any evidence of smoking after a booking will incur additional cottage cleaning fees.
• The heritage cottage has soft, easily damaged floorboards. Shoes off inside at all times.
• Lock the cottage when out and about in the park.
• Bikes are not permitted inside. A bike rack is provided at the back of the house. Take your own bike locks.

Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui Park rules

• Total Fire Ban at all times. No portable BBQ’s or beach fires.
• No driving off the park access road. Limit driving in and out during your stay. No takeaway food deliveries to the cottages.
• No quad, trail or mini-bikes are permitted.
• Dogs and other domestic pets are not permitted in any wetland area of the park, the Wainuiomata River escarpment or the bird nesting areas on the beaches. These areas are important wildlife habitat.
• Day visitors are not permitted to stay overnight or bring their vehicles into the park.
• Guests are responsible for their safety and the people in their care. Be aware of hazards such as the cliffs. Children should be supervised at all times by an adult.
• No camping.
• No climbing on the New Zealand Police aerial structures or their nearby buildings.
• Observe Maritime New Zealand’s rules for use of their land around the lighthouse.
• Strictly no public access to the adjoining private property to the north (Eastbourne side) of the lighthouse complex.
• Other park rules apply – read and observe the rules when you are in the park.

The cottage serviced between stays, but, please keep the house and surrounding site clean and tidy during your stay and when you leave. Additional cleaning fees may be applied if the cottage is left in an unclean condition. A vacuum, mop and broom are supplied for guest use.

Bikes are not permitted inside the cottage. If you need to charge your e-bikes you can do this by bringing the battery inside. If you can't take the battery out of the bike, an outdoor extension lead is supplied. There is a bike rack outside for locking bikes. Bike security is your responsibility - take your own bike locks.

There is no electric vehicle charging facility in the park or access to the cottage power supply for guest vehicles.

Accessibility

• The park and cottage are not wheelchair accessible.
• It’s a 180m walk from the guest carpark to the Assistant Lightkeepers Cottage on a rough gravel track, which is predominantly flat with one small rise and a wide gate halfway.
• The lighthouse complex garden area is generally flat but uneven with trip hazards.
• The cottage has two entry steps at the back and multiple steps at the front.
• Doorways range between 700 and 760cm.

Sensory information

• There is cell phone tower and NZ Police Radio transmitter on two radio masts very close the cottage (40m).
• The park is a very exposed environment. Very high wind and extreme wind conditions are common. Shelter is limited. The area is not recommended for people with sensitivity to high winds.
• Privacy at the cottage is limited. The lighthouse complex is the main day visit destination within the park. There is ongoing conservation work by professionals and volunteers within the lighthouse complex including some overnight volunteer stays in the nearby Garage Hut.
• The lighthouse light beam operates at night. There may be light spill into the lighthouse complex area at times when the light is reflected from low cloud or fog. The light does not shine directly into the lighthouse complex.

Security

• Security cameras are in operation in the outside area of the lighthouse complex and the bridge carpark.
• Motion sensor external lights are fitted on the front and back doors.
• If you leave a vehicle in the entrance car park on the Wainuiomata Coast Road, be highly aware of its security and do not leave valuables inside.
• If you're coming by bike, be sure to bring a lock and lock it to the bike rack. 

Park access road

The gravel road within the park from the locked gate at the bridge to the lighthouse complex is rough and uneven with potholes. It is not suitable for vehicles with low ground clearance or large vehicles e.g. lowered cars, cars with body kits, or campervans/motorhomes. If you have a low clearance or large vehicle you will need to leave it at the main park car park on the Wainuiomata Coast Road and go in on foot or bike.

The road has steep drop offs and is single lane with few passing bays. For safety reasons, access during daylight hours only is recommended. The speed limit is 10km/h along the cliff escarpment with no barrier, and 30km/h for the rest of the access road. Adjoining private landowners and other government agency vehicles also access it. There may be oncoming vehicles, so go slowly and be prepared to back if required.

Fire threat

The park gets very dry in summer. If there are days of extreme fire danger the park may be closed, and bookings cancelled. Fees or rebooking options will be provided. Check the park notices for the latest information.

Cliffs

The lighthouse complex is on the headland and very windy. This means great views but also steep cliffs. For your own safety and those in your care, stay away from the cliff faces, particularly after dark.

Other hazards

Stay away from the NZ Police Radio masts and buildings. There is no access to the adjacent NIWA facilities on the adjacent Maritime New Zealand land around the lighthouse, but you can learn about the weather and climatic monitoring and the history of the lighthouse in the Power House Story Hub.

The Main Lightkeepers Cottage is in the process of being restored. Avoid the area including its outbuildings when there are works in progress.