Wanderyn
Pencarrow Lighthouse
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · NZ

Pencarrow Lighthouse

Getting around: About 45 minutes' drive (via Eastbourne) plus a walking/cycling track to reach the lighthouse itself, since the final stretch has no vehicle access. Allow extra time for the walk/bike ride along the coast from the end of the sealed road.
Hours: Open access at all times during daylight hours; the lighthouse interior is not open to the public.

Pencarrow Lighthouse was New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse, built in 1859 at the entrance to Wellington Harbour, and notable as being operated for years by Mary Jane Bennett, the country's only female lighthouse keeper. It's reached via a walking or cycling track along the coast from Eastbourne, since there's no direct road access to the lighthouse itself.

It's a worthwhile combination of history and a scenic coastal walk or bike ride, generally taking a few hours round trip depending on your pace and how far along the coast you go.

Pencarrow Lighthouse FAQs

Can I drive right up to it?

No, there's no vehicle access to the lighthouse itself — you need to walk or cycle along the coastal track from the end of the sealed road near Eastbourne.

How long does the walk take?

A few hours round trip, depending on your pace and starting point.

Why is it historically significant?

It was New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse (1859), and was tended for years by Mary Jane Bennett, the country's only female lighthouse keeper.

Can I go inside the lighthouse?

No, the interior isn't open to the public.

Is it good for cycling?

Yes, the coastal track is popular with cyclists as well as walkers.

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