Baring Head/Orua-pouanui
https://archive.gw.govt.nz/baring-head-orua-pouanui
Baring Head/Orua-pouanui
Coast Road, Wainuiomata
Enter from Coast Road, 15 minutes from Wainuiomata. A carpark is provided at the main entrance.
The site can also be accessed by foot for most of the year from the mouth of the Wainuiomata River.
Dogs are not permitted at Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui at any time to protect stock and native wildlife.
Recreational vehicles are prohibited beyond the carparks.
Visitors should not attempt to cross the river if it's in flood or the water is discoloured.
Park Notices
Find all current park notices on the new Greater Wellington website.
About
Fireworks are prohibited in all Regional Parks and Forest areas.
Baring Head/Orua-pouanui is an iconic landscape, with wonderful views over Cook Strait. The property includes the lower reaches and mouth of the Wainuiomata River, and much of the coastal escarpment around Baring Head/Orua-pouanui. It is rugged, yet spectacular land, and is visible from Wellington. A marked route provides people with a walk offering access to the lighthouse reserve and views of the headlands, coastline towards Parangarahu Lakes and Wellington, and wetlands.
Walking tracks
From the Wainuiomata Coast Road entrance, the main route follows the base of the river escarpment towards the coast. At the southern end of the river flats lies the historic pump shed that once took water from the Wainuiomata River to the Baring Head lighthouse cottages. From a junction near the coast a marked route leads to the popular climbing boulders, while the main track heads up the escarpment to the marine terraces. This gives access to the lighthouse area, the Para trig and the World War II bunkers. The route follows the ridgeline back to the road and start point.
Walking times from the entrance (one way):
Walking along the escarpment
| Old Pump Shed |
20 mins |
| Climbing Boulders |
1 hour |
| Baring Head Lighthouse |
1 hour 15 mins |
| Para Trig and WWII Bunkers |
1 hour 30 mins |
| Return Walk |
3 hours |
You are welcome to cycle throughout Baring Head/Orua-pouanui . The tracks from the river flats to the top terrace are steep; watch out for pedestrians, other cyclists and vehicles on the road.
Livestock graze the park, and no dogs are permitted.
Please note:
There is no public access along the coast road (Fitzroy Bay) between Baring Head and the Parangarahu Lakes without the permission of the two private landowners. If you require access, please contact the Park Ranger Jo Greenman at Jo.greenman@gw.govt.nz.Native plants and animals
Baring Head/Orua-pouanui is home to a number of unique ecosystems within its boundary.
The beach and coastal escarpment provide a habitat for birds such as the banded dotterel, many lizard species, and rare invertebrates (eg, spider, moth and cicada species). Cushion plants, spinifex and sand tussock are also found here.
The Wainuiomata River is an important native fish habitat and the lower reaches are a spawning habitat for inanga. The nationally endangered plant tororaro (Muehlenbeckia astonii) is also found near the river.
Air Monitoring
NIWA has a Clean Air Monitoring Station at Baring Head – check out more about it over on their website.
