Red Rocks - Pariwhero

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Reviews

1. DK Wickrama ★★★★★

   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Red Rocks / Pariwhero Just 8 km from Wellington CBD, it’s hard to believe a place this raw and beautiful is hidden so close to the heart of the city. Red Rocks (Pariwhero) is one of Wellington’s historic coastal landmarks and offers stunning scenery that feels completely untouched. To reach the rocks, be prepared for either a rough 1 km walk or access via a proper four-wheel-drive vehicle. Beyond the Taputeranga Marine Reserve, the road becomes extremely rough and not suitable for normal cars or motorbikes. Don’t try your luck this road is unforgiving. The reward is absolutely worth it dramatic red rock formations, wild coastal views, and a peaceful atmosphere. If you continue further along the coast, you may even spot seals, and occasionally whales. Highly recommended for both locals and visitors exploring Wellington. This is one place you definitely shouldn’t miss.

   almost 2 months ago
2. Robyn Crisp ★★★★★

   Stunning! Great views across turquoise waters to towering cliffs and snow covered mountains! Lots of parking and facilities were clean. Coffee van was very popular!

   almost 6 months ago
3. Rosie Cousins ★★★★★

   We stayed at the freedom camping beside this beautiful walk to see the seals! It took us 4km the whole way round to the bottom where there were hundreds of seals! They are amazing to see but keep your distance and respect these gorgeous animals

   almost 7 months ago

1. daezjn ★★★★★

   Absolutely love this place! The natural surroundings and stunning sea views make it such a special spot. It’s fascinating to see how an old quarry has been transformed into a reserve- yet you can still spot traces of its industrial past, which adds to the character of the area. We spotted some seals amongst the seaside rocks and of course THE actual red rocks. If you’re a rock enthusiast, it’s quite fascinating to see the rock formations and colours. The track is shared with four-wheel drive enthusiasts (except on Sundays, when they’re not allowed), and watching the 4WDs navigate steep and rugged parts of the trail can be quite the spectacle! It’s definitely become one of my favourite places to hike in Wellington. I’d happily come back. There’s also a small open-plan museum near the entrance that offers some insight into the history of the reserve and the local wildlife- worth a quick stop. Another highlight for us was discovering a little caravan café parked near the carpark, serving up excellent coffee and Chelsea buns at reasonable prices- such a treat after a solid three-hour hike! Seems like a popular track, we visited on a Saturday during a long weekend, and the carpark was buzzing with cars, four-wheel drives, campervans and even a large tour bus.

   almost 11 months ago
2. Alex&Yuliya ★★★★★

   I recently visited the beach, and it was an amazing experience. The walk along the shore with my dog and kids was absolutely perfect—plenty of space to roam and explore. The views were breathtaking, with the expansive ocean stretching out in front of us. If you're lucky, you might even spot some seals lounging nearby, which was a real highlight of the day. A perfect spot for a family outing, with nature at its finest!

   1 year ago
3. brian aoake ★★★★★

   Whether you're into walking or cycling offroad or have a 4wd, you will enjoy this place and all its sights from the hills of the south island to the seal colonys just please be mindful of others that use this place and remember to keep it clean and what you take in bring out so we can all have it for our kids' future

   almost 2 years ago

1. Radiant Chua ★★★★★

   One of the best walks with great views all the way of the rugged coastline, mountains and sea esp on a sunny day. Just an less than an hour's bus ride from the city as well. Spotted almost 30 seals in total at Sinclair Head.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Luke Dienes ★★★★★

   Nice coastal walk from the carpark to the rocks, they are indeed red! Short walk further round to see the seals lazing around @Ldienes on instagram

   almost 2 years ago
3. Stephen Adams ★★★★★

   I recently went for a trail-run from Redrocks Paiwhero to Newtown and I have to say the scenery was absolutely gorgeous! The majority of the coastal section is on a 4WD track, with the rest being on gravel and mud, which made for an interesting and varied terrain to run on. While there were some steep sections that I had to walk up, most of the trail was very runnable and I had a great time exploring the area. Overall, I would highly recommend Redrocks Paiwhero as a starting point for anyone looking to go for a trail run or hike in the area. The views are breathtaking and the terrain is challenging enough to keep things interesting without being too difficult. Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or just starting out, you're sure to have a great time here.

   almost 2 years ago

1. Light Begets Light ★★★★★

   It's almost an "out of this world" experience. The terrain is rugged & rocky. Walking mostly on gravel, so wear good walking shoes and take water & snacks if you need. Cover up with clothing, sunscreen, and a hat. My strava map recorded 5m elevation, so expect flat most of the way, with a couple of mounds. If you do the full walk to Devil’s Gate at Sinclair Head, it's about an 8km there & back walk. Or 6.5kms if only going to the Red Rocks & back to carpark. Thoroughly enjoyed this walk, took my family and I, 2 hours, but we only went a little past the Red Rocks, where we enjoyed seeing a seal. So, I guess that means we will return one day to do the full walk and maybe the 6-hour walk in the reserve. Neat to see the bachs along the path. What an amazing place to live! This walk is highly recommended! Free & you can even 4 wheel drive it if you need to. We walked it on New Years Eve (Saturday), so it was very busy. It did read on a website that it was closed to vehicle's on Sunday from 9am to 6pm. That would be a far better day to walk!

   almost 3 years ago

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