Full map of the route

The full Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke route from Miramar to Pencarrow Head can easily be done in one day on a bike (depending on your fitness and headwinds of course).   For walkers the full route should be done over two days.  The route can easily be broken up by finding accommodation in for example Petone or elsewhere in the Hutt.     Below is more information on walking or cycling the route

The above image shows in blue and red the different sections of the Great Harbour Way route as it is today.   In grey are sections that need further improvements before they can become part of the route; as of today parts of these sections have no off-road cycling or walking, or have restricted acces.

Click on the image above to see the bigger version.   Or click here to view it as a Googles Map.  

Walking the route

Walking the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke is straightforward. Because food, accomodation, and public transport access is available along the route, it is not necessary to carry much. Walking shoes, a wind/rain shell, and a spare warm layer will be sufficient.  The route can be walked continuously, or you can choose segments to suit your schedule.  Here are some suggestions:

Walking Tour – 2 days

• Day 1: Miramar to Petone

• Day 2: Petone to Pencarrow Head

Extended Walking Tour – 4 days

• Day 1:  Red Rocks to Miramar.   This is a grunty 35km / 7 hour walk that includes a return trip from Owhiro Bay to Red Rocks. 

• Day 2: Miramar to Petone

• Day 3: Petone to Eastbourne

• Day 4: Eastbourne to Pencarrow Lighthouse and back

Note that you can take the #83 bus from Eastbourne or the East by West Ferry from Days Bay back to Wellington.

Biking the route

Biking the Great Harbour Way/ Te Aranui o Pōneke is straightforward. A hybrid style bicycle or e-bike is ideal, although a road bike can be used for much of the route. A mountain bike is unnecessary, but can provide a more comfortable ride for the Owhiro Bay - Red Rocks section and the section between Eastbourne - Pencarrow Lighthouse and beyond. 

Food, accommodation, and public transport access is available along the route.  The trains and buses take bikes for free outside peak hours, 

Here are some suggested itineraries.

1 day  

• Miramar to Pencarrow Lighthouse.   To get back to Wellington you can take the #83 bus from Eastbourne, or the East by West ferry from Days Bay (you need to book in advance to ensure that there is room for your bike).

2 days

• Day 1: Red Rocks or Owhiro Bay to Petone.  You will need to bike on the road on the route from Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Lyall Bay, Seatoun, and around the Miramar Peninsula.   This Red Rocks-Miramar is shown in grey in the map above.

• Day 2: Petone to the Pencarrow Lighthouse.