Stay at the Lightkeeper's cottages

The Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui East Harbour Regional Park entry is on the Wainuiomata Coast Road, which is 18km from Wainuiomata township, or approximately a one hour drive from downtown Wellington.

Find the cottage on Google Maps

Access from the Wainuiomata Coast Road car park

You can access the park on foot or bike at any time from the Wainuiomata Coast Road car park. There is no public transport to this part of East Harbour Regional Park or vehicle access to Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui from Eastbourne. 

The lightkeepers cottages are inside the park behind a locked gate. When you make a cottage booking, you will be given permission to take your vehicle on the 3km long park access road and park it near the lighthouse complex. From the guest parking area there is a 180m long mostly flat gravel walking track to the cottages. Note: the park access road is not suitable for vehicles with low clearance and is steep and narrow in places – see the hazards section below for important details about access. Parking within the lighthouse complex is not permitted.

Cottage guest vehicle access within the park is limited to the park road. There is no access to the beaches (other than walking or riding). A maximum of two vehicles only are permitted per booking.

You will receive detailed access information and park rules when you make a booking.

Walking or riding from Eastbourne

There is currently no public access from the Parangarahu Lakes, East Harbour Regional Park boundary to the Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui East Harbour Regional Park boundary without the permission of the two private landowners. If you want to ride from Eastbourne over this private land, please contact the Park Ranger at the time of booking with details about number of people, booking dates and a phone number.

Both cottages are 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 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.

Accessibility

• The Lightkeeper’s Cottage/Te Rama Roa has level access, no stairs inside and an accessible bathroom with handrails and shower seat. The Assistant Lightkeeper’s Cottage is not wheelchair accessible.
• It’s a 180m walk from the guest carpark to both cottages 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 Assistant Lightkeeper’s 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.