The Red Rocks Coastal walk is a uniquely Wellington experience. The walk starts at Owhiro Bay on the city’s rugged South Coast where there is ample parking and public toilets, and heads though Te Kopahou Reserve.
It takes 2-3 hours to walk the 7.4km return to reach Devils Gate at Sinclair Head (or go as far as you like!) and wander back again.
The Red Rocks Coastal Walk trail is flat and very popular. You can walk your dogs but they must be kept on a leash and at least 20 metres from any wildlife.
On a fine day, you can expect to see views of the South Island, but on a grey public holiday with low visibility we still had views back towards Wellington and Cape Palliser. Despite the lower visibility were still plenty of people out walking and taking four wheel drive vehicles out to picnic spots.
The first real site along the Red Rocks Coast Walk is a group of historic baches (holiday homes) which were built in the 1900’s.
Further on, the famous area of red rocks was quite a bit smaller than I had imagined but the colour is spectacular. Coloured by iron compounds, various Māori legends explain their red colour.
Finally, just beyond the red rocks at Sinclair Head you’ll find a colony of fur seals living their best lives, lying on the rocks and playing in the water.
There were drivers out for a joy ride, particularly over the Devils Gate formation at Sinclair head and we saw one recreational vehicle get stuck near the Owhiro Bay carpark.
On Sundays between 9am and 6pm the area is closed to vehicles which would make it safer for walkers. The track is no wider than the four wheel drive path is places which can mean diving out of the way onto the stony beach.
