Red Rocks Reserve
Red Rocks Reserve
4.5
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4.5
181 reviews
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GGinn2024
8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We hadn't planned on visiting but as we had a day spare and the weather was nice so we went. We are so glad we did. You have to park about 45 mins walk away but it is an amazing walk around the coast so take your time to take it all in. We didn't know what to expect but after seeing a few sunbathing seals you walk over the ridge and then can see so many you don't know where to look. They are so close you can see their chilled, sleepy faces. Please do not walk towards them or walk over the rocks as it scares them (as one man did). Some great scenery and time for family chats xxx
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa H
Brisbane, Australia652 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Gorgeous views, a good walk over sand, rocks & pebbles. We got to see some red fur seals (rare this time of year) and saw the top of the South Island which was awesome 😎
We caught an Uber to the main gate of the Reserve which has lots of parking, toilets and a visitors centre.
Good walk, you do have to share the track with 4WD, mountain bikers and motorbikes, but it wasn’t bad and everyone was very polite.
I’d love to return and see more - next time!
We caught an Uber to the main gate of the Reserve which has lots of parking, toilets and a visitors centre.
Good walk, you do have to share the track with 4WD, mountain bikers and motorbikes, but it wasn’t bad and everyone was very polite.
I’d love to return and see more - next time!
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faye
16 contributions
Sept 2020
Quite a long walk (2 hours one-way, I think, on relatively flat ground) but there are a lot of seals past the rock arch at the end. They're not as stinky as they say and are really cute and round :)
Check the wind speeds when you visit as the area is not recommended during gales.
Ample parking with a clean restroom nearby.
Check the wind speeds when you visit as the area is not recommended during gales.
Ample parking with a clean restroom nearby.
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure Kiwis
Auckland Central, New Zealand45 contributions
Feb 2021
One of the most beautiful places we have been in NZ! Our kids aged 2 and 7 managed to walk the 5.1kms to Devil's Gate. The walk is so beautiful and so serene. The track is for 4WDs too, but its's still peaceful and the drivers are kind. We saw loads of paua and giant kelp along the way. The ocean is wild along there which was really cool to see. It was a cloudy day so we didn't get to see across to the south island unfortunately! We saw around 6 seals which was such a treat! And a few penguins on the way back. It's definitely a long track but well worth it. Take some lunch and have a picnic when you get through Devil's Gate :) There are toilets at the carpark before you start your walk, but none on the way. If you get into trouble, there are a couple of houses along the way where you can get assistance. At the end of our walk we came across a coffee caravan so we warmed up with a nice hot coffee.
Written 4 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin K
New York City, NY6,557 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Visiting Red Rocks Reserve was amazing simply to see the New Zealand fur seals in the wild and catching glimpses of some beautiful native birds. Certainly very highly recommended to anyone.
Written 29 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
austintraveler2019
Austin, Tx50 contributions
June 2013 • Family
We hiked through the Red Rocks Reserve on a wintry, rainy day in mid-June. It is about a 45 minute hike along a flat (for the most part) trail along the coastline tp get tp the seal colony. The beautiful black beaches have lots of boulders and tide pools to explore along the way. When you finally reach the red rocks area, if you're like us, you will NOT find seals there. We decided to continue walking, and a short distance past the red rocks, we found over a dozen seals lounging on the rocks. We were able to get some great photographs of the seals and they did not seem to mind our presence as we kept a respectful distance. The reserve is amazingly beautiful and on the day we were there, we only saw four other people! On the way back to the car park, we did pick up a few discarded bottles and rubbish. It is always sad to see what people leave behind in such a beautiful reserve.
This hike was one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. Allow yourself a couple of hours and be patient when looking for the seals. Be sure to take your own water and/or snacks as there are no facilities. There are restrooms at the trailhead. A great experience!
This hike was one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. Allow yourself a couple of hours and be patient when looking for the seals. Be sure to take your own water and/or snacks as there are no facilities. There are restrooms at the trailhead. A great experience!
Written 9 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,349 contributions
July 2018 • Solo
From May to August, NZ male fur seals "haul out" at Sinclair Head to rest and fatten up for the breeding season. If you're lucky, you may find a few seals here and there along the reserve's 4-wheel coastal track, but the greatest number are to be seen with the greatest reliability just beyond "Devil's Gate," that unmistakable landmark where the track cuts through the headland. You will spot it in the distance a little over 2 miles (3.5 km) from the entrance. It will take about 50 minutes at a moderate pace (35 at a slow, careful jog) one-way, longer if there are wash-outs to be avoided or pictures to be taken.
The best time to see the seals is early-to-mid-afternoon, when they will have returned from their morning feedings and settled in for a digestive "rest."
NZ fur seals are cool to look at, and not just because of their size. Unlike other varieties, they have external ears, and their impressively large, sturdy hind flippers can rotate, working a bit like "feet" when they move from rock-to-rock. They have pointy noses and light-colored whiskers that make them somewhat resemble dogs, at least when you stare right in their faces and overlook their bulk (and their smell). They have weepy eyes that make them look vulnerable. They cough and sneeze, and they will growl if you approach too quickly or too closely. The shade of their fur varies quite a bit -- gray, brown, a little tan -- but appears nearly black when wet. Each one looks different and distinct.
Seeing the fur seals lolling on the rocks against the backdrop of Cook Strait with the South Island's snowcapped peaks (including 9465 ft./2885 m Mt. Tapuaenuku) in the distance is just one of those great experiences of Wellington's remarkable natural environment. It's something not to be missed, especially on a beautiful winter's day, with bright sunshine, beautiful blue sky, and the deep blue-to-turquoise waters of Cook Strait.
There are commercial outfits that will bring you to Sinclair Head in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It's an option if time and/or mobility are limited. But honestly, it's better to get here under your own power, so that you can stay as long and wander as far as you wish. The tour groups I've seen have mostly been quick affairs of the "came, saw, and conquered (i.e. photographed)" variety. For nature-lovers interested in experiences as well as photographs, a short, "canned" tour probably would come up short.
If you do plan to go on foot, you'll need sturdy shoes or trail runners with good tread to deal with the challenges of the coastal track, which degrades in bad weather and can be strewn with rocks when storms batter the shoreline. But the views are spectacular all along the way. There are restrooms with indoor plumbing and running water, and a small exhibition (worth seeing) about the area's nature and history, at the entrance to the reserve. There are no restrooms, and there is no potable water, along the coastal track. Bring water if you think you'll need it.
Do NOT bring dogs: even leashed, they are prohibited at Sinclair Head during the winter haul-out. I'd also recommend you not bring small children, who may run toward, scream at, or otherwise startle the seals, which can weigh 400-500 pounds. There are warning signs posted. Heed them.
Provided that you never come between the seals and their escape route to the water, they may seem pretty docile and unconcerned by your presence. If you hear a growling sound as you approach, time to step back, slowly.
HOW TO GET HERE:
Most people who visit the reserve drive here and park at the entrance. You can, if you wish, take public transportation. Metlink Bus #1 runs from Wellington Station and the main stops of the Central Business District to Island Bay. The last stop is just half a block from the seaside "Esplanade" that runs all the way to the reserve entrance. It's a walk of about 40 minutes, but a pleasant one, and you can stop for food and drink along the way. There's a cafe, The Beach House & Kiosk, on the land side, with outdoor views to the strait across the road.
If you want to take the bus to/from Island Bay, then walk from the last stop all the way to Sinclair Head and back, you should plan for a half-day. I can assure you, having done this many times, that it will be an interesting and exhilarating one.
NOTE ON WEATHER:
Be sure to bring at least a windbreaker with you, or something light and "stashable" that you can pull out to protect yourself from the elements. It can be very windy here, and south winds blow cold, even in summer. You may walk to Sinclair Head in warm sunshine and return against a fierce, cold wind.
NOTE FOR RUNNERS: The Esplanade is a level, paved, easy run. The coastal track is doable with sturdy, well-treaded footwear, but you will need to be very careful of passing vehicles on narrow, rocky, wet or otherwise degraded sections due to the variable weather conditions. It's best to keep to the side and to move off the road when you hear a vehicle approaching. You should slow down and be particularly careful when ascending the road through Devil's Gate, as it is quite steep, and vehicles approaching from the other side cannot be seen or heard. Best to stay to the side and walk it, slowly.
Getting to the fur seal "haul-out" beyond Devil's Gate with "foot power" only is not for everyone. But if you can do it, it's a splendid way to enjoy an unforgettable experience of nature while having a challenging workout through some of the best coastal scenery Wellington has to offer.
The best time to see the seals is early-to-mid-afternoon, when they will have returned from their morning feedings and settled in for a digestive "rest."
NZ fur seals are cool to look at, and not just because of their size. Unlike other varieties, they have external ears, and their impressively large, sturdy hind flippers can rotate, working a bit like "feet" when they move from rock-to-rock. They have pointy noses and light-colored whiskers that make them somewhat resemble dogs, at least when you stare right in their faces and overlook their bulk (and their smell). They have weepy eyes that make them look vulnerable. They cough and sneeze, and they will growl if you approach too quickly or too closely. The shade of their fur varies quite a bit -- gray, brown, a little tan -- but appears nearly black when wet. Each one looks different and distinct.
Seeing the fur seals lolling on the rocks against the backdrop of Cook Strait with the South Island's snowcapped peaks (including 9465 ft./2885 m Mt. Tapuaenuku) in the distance is just one of those great experiences of Wellington's remarkable natural environment. It's something not to be missed, especially on a beautiful winter's day, with bright sunshine, beautiful blue sky, and the deep blue-to-turquoise waters of Cook Strait.
There are commercial outfits that will bring you to Sinclair Head in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. It's an option if time and/or mobility are limited. But honestly, it's better to get here under your own power, so that you can stay as long and wander as far as you wish. The tour groups I've seen have mostly been quick affairs of the "came, saw, and conquered (i.e. photographed)" variety. For nature-lovers interested in experiences as well as photographs, a short, "canned" tour probably would come up short.
If you do plan to go on foot, you'll need sturdy shoes or trail runners with good tread to deal with the challenges of the coastal track, which degrades in bad weather and can be strewn with rocks when storms batter the shoreline. But the views are spectacular all along the way. There are restrooms with indoor plumbing and running water, and a small exhibition (worth seeing) about the area's nature and history, at the entrance to the reserve. There are no restrooms, and there is no potable water, along the coastal track. Bring water if you think you'll need it.
Do NOT bring dogs: even leashed, they are prohibited at Sinclair Head during the winter haul-out. I'd also recommend you not bring small children, who may run toward, scream at, or otherwise startle the seals, which can weigh 400-500 pounds. There are warning signs posted. Heed them.
Provided that you never come between the seals and their escape route to the water, they may seem pretty docile and unconcerned by your presence. If you hear a growling sound as you approach, time to step back, slowly.
HOW TO GET HERE:
Most people who visit the reserve drive here and park at the entrance. You can, if you wish, take public transportation. Metlink Bus #1 runs from Wellington Station and the main stops of the Central Business District to Island Bay. The last stop is just half a block from the seaside "Esplanade" that runs all the way to the reserve entrance. It's a walk of about 40 minutes, but a pleasant one, and you can stop for food and drink along the way. There's a cafe, The Beach House & Kiosk, on the land side, with outdoor views to the strait across the road.
If you want to take the bus to/from Island Bay, then walk from the last stop all the way to Sinclair Head and back, you should plan for a half-day. I can assure you, having done this many times, that it will be an interesting and exhilarating one.
NOTE ON WEATHER:
Be sure to bring at least a windbreaker with you, or something light and "stashable" that you can pull out to protect yourself from the elements. It can be very windy here, and south winds blow cold, even in summer. You may walk to Sinclair Head in warm sunshine and return against a fierce, cold wind.
NOTE FOR RUNNERS: The Esplanade is a level, paved, easy run. The coastal track is doable with sturdy, well-treaded footwear, but you will need to be very careful of passing vehicles on narrow, rocky, wet or otherwise degraded sections due to the variable weather conditions. It's best to keep to the side and to move off the road when you hear a vehicle approaching. You should slow down and be particularly careful when ascending the road through Devil's Gate, as it is quite steep, and vehicles approaching from the other side cannot be seen or heard. Best to stay to the side and walk it, slowly.
Getting to the fur seal "haul-out" beyond Devil's Gate with "foot power" only is not for everyone. But if you can do it, it's a splendid way to enjoy an unforgettable experience of nature while having a challenging workout through some of the best coastal scenery Wellington has to offer.
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zhuhai2007
Christchurch, New Zealand52,634 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
My rating comes with a caution - there is no cafe!
The enjoyment of Red Rocks begins at the carpark where DoC has constructed a really interesting information kiosk out of old Quarry materials. Toilets are high quality, but locked at 9pm.
The walk to the actual "Red Rocks" takes only about 30-40 minutes on a gravel track - watch out for 4WDs with massive off-road tyres!! You can continue on to Sinclair Head, where there is a seal colony. The bull seals rest here during the winter.
The enjoyment of Red Rocks begins at the carpark where DoC has constructed a really interesting information kiosk out of old Quarry materials. Toilets are high quality, but locked at 9pm.
The walk to the actual "Red Rocks" takes only about 30-40 minutes on a gravel track - watch out for 4WDs with massive off-road tyres!! You can continue on to Sinclair Head, where there is a seal colony. The bull seals rest here during the winter.
Written 20 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onitada
Wellington, New Zealand277 contributions
Sept 2019
On going to Red Rocks I specifically wanted to see the Seal Colony given that it was winter and they would be lurking around. Now Red Rocks and the Seal colony are a brisk walk along the coast line that had dramatic waves crashing along the shore. I wore good walking shoes, Katmandu weather jacket and woolly hat. After plugging my headphones in, and putting the appropriate music on, I set off.
There is the old quarry to look at, and a set of old - some restored Bach's to admire and after about an hour looking at the scenery and contemplating on a lost duck I saw I went through a cutting and into the seal colony.
Now in my excitement I walked along the path and looked at the seals on the rocks not realizing that a seal was about a meter behind me hiding, or sleeping in the bushes and it was then that we exchanged glances and I thought it a good idea to move of, as apparently one should not go between a seal and the ocean!
The seals were all pretty relaxed although an adult had to bounce along some rocks to break up a juvenile dispute over a particularly good sleeping spot, but it all got pretty quiet again after that. The seals like to put their noses in the air and I think they can smell you. Which is the thing I was under the impression that the seal smelt bad, but on my particular day this was not the case.
On my return I informed another seal admirer to look out for the seal hiding in the bushes, but the seal had moved and the chap thought I was referring to another seal, so at some point he came running out of the bushes, because he got a freight as below the rock he was standing on was the seal looking up at him. That seal was getting no peace.
There is the old quarry to look at, and a set of old - some restored Bach's to admire and after about an hour looking at the scenery and contemplating on a lost duck I saw I went through a cutting and into the seal colony.
Now in my excitement I walked along the path and looked at the seals on the rocks not realizing that a seal was about a meter behind me hiding, or sleeping in the bushes and it was then that we exchanged glances and I thought it a good idea to move of, as apparently one should not go between a seal and the ocean!
The seals were all pretty relaxed although an adult had to bounce along some rocks to break up a juvenile dispute over a particularly good sleeping spot, but it all got pretty quiet again after that. The seals like to put their noses in the air and I think they can smell you. Which is the thing I was under the impression that the seal smelt bad, but on my particular day this was not the case.
On my return I informed another seal admirer to look out for the seal hiding in the bushes, but the seal had moved and the chap thought I was referring to another seal, so at some point he came running out of the bushes, because he got a freight as below the rock he was standing on was the seal looking up at him. That seal was getting no peace.
Written 7 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,349 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
A coastal track with great views gets visitors on foot, on mountain bikes, or in 4WD vehicles to the famous Red Rocks and Sinclair Head with its impressive Devil's Gate. Round trip from the visitor center is just 5 miles, so pretty much anyone with some pluck can make it there. But there is much more here for the hardy and adventurous.
The Red Rocks are one part of the much larger (600 hectare, or about 1500 acres) Te Kopahou Reserve, named for the ridge running from Highbury along the eastern side of the Karori Wildlife Reserve (aka Zealandia), then continuing south between Karori Stream and the headwaters of Owhiro Stream to Cook Strait at Sinclair Head. It is the steep, mountainous tracks in the interior, ascending from the coastline, that offer the greatest adventure and the best views.
Here are two of them, if you're willing and able to climb steeply on narrow, rocky trails with loose gravel in some places. The tracks begin near the same place, but they are poorly signed, on a side-road off the main coastal track. Look for a teepee-like structure made with stacked driftwood in the middle of a "V." Turn on the dirt track that runs inland, and you will see the sign noting the trailheads.
RED ROCK TRACK: There are actually two ways to go, but both converge high up. You'll see both routes marked clearly on the sign. To the left, you'll need to cross a stream, wading through the shallow water or picking your way over rocks. That route seems pretty level and inviting, but it gets steep further on. To the right, you will see a steeply rising, rutted dirt road with a barrier across it, and, beyond, a narrower, gravelly track going up, up, up. Take the steep route on your right, and you will have your reward sooner: a sweeping view around both sides of the headland, and a grassy knoll full of yellow flowers from which to enjoy it. Still ahead of you will be the backdrop of higher elevation, should you choose to continue ascending for wider, further views.
My suggestion: if it's a nice day, bring lunch and make a picnic of it up there on that high grassy knoll overlooking blue sea under blue sky. Please check out my pictures, and you'll see what I mean. This is a breathtakingly beautiful spot. IMHO you need go no further.
If you choose to continue, you will end up at Hawkins Hill, having climbed 1640 feet from Cook Strait. There's a 1940's fortress nearby. From just below the radar dome there, you'll have another remarkable panorama before you, being able to see both of NZ's largest islands at once. To exit, you can continue on a service road to the wind turbine, and from there use the track running alongside the protective wall of Zealandia to get to Chaytor Street across from the sanctuary's entrance for the #3 bus back to Wellington (direction of Lyall Bay). It will take time to do that, so plan accordingly.
Alternatively, I understand that it's possible to take the Tip Track along Carey's Gulley to Happy Valley and to connect with a bus there. I haven't done it myself. I do know that the area has a lot of waste treatment infrastructure, which means a decent service road, at least, to get you to public transportation.
BUNKER TRACK: This track begins somewhat away from the trailhead sign, running between two cabins or bungalows. Its starting point is clearly shown on the main sign depicting the Red Rocks Track (and other side trails). It has steep sections both up and down, and it's pretty rocky and gravelly, so not for the faint-hearted. But World War II buffs will be interested in seeing the old infrastructure of bunkers and outbuildings, and anyone will appreciate the stunning views of the South Island across Cook Strait. I understand that there is a shipwreck near here, favored by local divers, but I was not able to see it myself.
It's possible to continue to Hawkins Hill from the Bunker Track, but the distance and the slopes are quite substantial, and the rewards not so great, so I don't recommend it. Better to retrace your steps. Still, visiting the site of the old bunkers is historically interesting and a good reminder of how potentially vulnerable New Zealand was during the Pacific war with an extensive coastline quite difficult to protect.
A FEW CAUTIONS: Weather is highly variable. Even on a beautiful day, bring outerwear to protect against strong winds, rain and/or salt spray. Sturdy shoes with good ankle support and good treads are essential to safely navigate these steep, rocky or gravelly trails. Even the main coastal track is full of rocks, large and small, the latter sometimes nearly a foot deep. 4WDs sink down into them, and walkers with inadequate footwear may find themselves destabilized while trying to navigate the deep stone layers underfoot. This may be "the beach," but you'd be well advised to leave your flip-flops at home.
There is no drinking water, and there are no toilets, not even chemical ones. These amenities are available only at the Te Kopahou Visitor Center at the main gate. This is not a staffed visitor center, so don't look for a ranger to guide you or for a store that sells postcards. The facilities there are covered (helpful in event of a storm) and include clean, modern bathrooms with running water. Best of all, they're open 24/7. Finally, this is a tsunami area. Take heed of the signed warnings.
The Red Rocks are one part of the much larger (600 hectare, or about 1500 acres) Te Kopahou Reserve, named for the ridge running from Highbury along the eastern side of the Karori Wildlife Reserve (aka Zealandia), then continuing south between Karori Stream and the headwaters of Owhiro Stream to Cook Strait at Sinclair Head. It is the steep, mountainous tracks in the interior, ascending from the coastline, that offer the greatest adventure and the best views.
Here are two of them, if you're willing and able to climb steeply on narrow, rocky trails with loose gravel in some places. The tracks begin near the same place, but they are poorly signed, on a side-road off the main coastal track. Look for a teepee-like structure made with stacked driftwood in the middle of a "V." Turn on the dirt track that runs inland, and you will see the sign noting the trailheads.
RED ROCK TRACK: There are actually two ways to go, but both converge high up. You'll see both routes marked clearly on the sign. To the left, you'll need to cross a stream, wading through the shallow water or picking your way over rocks. That route seems pretty level and inviting, but it gets steep further on. To the right, you will see a steeply rising, rutted dirt road with a barrier across it, and, beyond, a narrower, gravelly track going up, up, up. Take the steep route on your right, and you will have your reward sooner: a sweeping view around both sides of the headland, and a grassy knoll full of yellow flowers from which to enjoy it. Still ahead of you will be the backdrop of higher elevation, should you choose to continue ascending for wider, further views.
My suggestion: if it's a nice day, bring lunch and make a picnic of it up there on that high grassy knoll overlooking blue sea under blue sky. Please check out my pictures, and you'll see what I mean. This is a breathtakingly beautiful spot. IMHO you need go no further.
If you choose to continue, you will end up at Hawkins Hill, having climbed 1640 feet from Cook Strait. There's a 1940's fortress nearby. From just below the radar dome there, you'll have another remarkable panorama before you, being able to see both of NZ's largest islands at once. To exit, you can continue on a service road to the wind turbine, and from there use the track running alongside the protective wall of Zealandia to get to Chaytor Street across from the sanctuary's entrance for the #3 bus back to Wellington (direction of Lyall Bay). It will take time to do that, so plan accordingly.
Alternatively, I understand that it's possible to take the Tip Track along Carey's Gulley to Happy Valley and to connect with a bus there. I haven't done it myself. I do know that the area has a lot of waste treatment infrastructure, which means a decent service road, at least, to get you to public transportation.
BUNKER TRACK: This track begins somewhat away from the trailhead sign, running between two cabins or bungalows. Its starting point is clearly shown on the main sign depicting the Red Rocks Track (and other side trails). It has steep sections both up and down, and it's pretty rocky and gravelly, so not for the faint-hearted. But World War II buffs will be interested in seeing the old infrastructure of bunkers and outbuildings, and anyone will appreciate the stunning views of the South Island across Cook Strait. I understand that there is a shipwreck near here, favored by local divers, but I was not able to see it myself.
It's possible to continue to Hawkins Hill from the Bunker Track, but the distance and the slopes are quite substantial, and the rewards not so great, so I don't recommend it. Better to retrace your steps. Still, visiting the site of the old bunkers is historically interesting and a good reminder of how potentially vulnerable New Zealand was during the Pacific war with an extensive coastline quite difficult to protect.
A FEW CAUTIONS: Weather is highly variable. Even on a beautiful day, bring outerwear to protect against strong winds, rain and/or salt spray. Sturdy shoes with good ankle support and good treads are essential to safely navigate these steep, rocky or gravelly trails. Even the main coastal track is full of rocks, large and small, the latter sometimes nearly a foot deep. 4WDs sink down into them, and walkers with inadequate footwear may find themselves destabilized while trying to navigate the deep stone layers underfoot. This may be "the beach," but you'd be well advised to leave your flip-flops at home.
There is no drinking water, and there are no toilets, not even chemical ones. These amenities are available only at the Te Kopahou Visitor Center at the main gate. This is not a staffed visitor center, so don't look for a ranger to guide you or for a store that sells postcards. The facilities there are covered (helpful in event of a storm) and include clean, modern bathrooms with running water. Best of all, they're open 24/7. Finally, this is a tsunami area. Take heed of the signed warnings.
Written 4 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am new to Wellington so please don't mind if this sounds a silly question
I was wondering if it's good time to visit Island bay this weekend( ANZAC) mostly for viewing seals. Also if possible bus number to the nearest location from where I can walk to the bay.
Thanks,
VP
Written 20 April 2016
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