Like a jigsaw, East Harbour Regional Park is made up of 3 separate blocks:
- The Northern Forest, spanning hills from Eastbourne to Wainuiomata the forest has towering northern rata teeming with wildlife
- Parangarahu Lakes, at the south end of Eastbourne and popular mountain biking around the coast to Pencarrow Lighthouse
- Baring Head Ōrua-pouanui, accessed from Wainuiomata and offering rugged and remote landscapes with lighthouses and sweeping views of the Cook Strait
“This park has contrasting environments of native forest, waterways, beaches and headlands. If you’re new to the area then Butterfly Creek walk is a good way to start exploring.” Jo Greenman, Park Ranger
Know before you go
Access can be restricted by fire risk, so please check before you set off so you won’t be disappointed.
- Dogs are welcome in the Northern Forest but must be leashed.
- No dogs allowed in Baring Head or the Parangarahu Lakes.
- Dogs must be on a leash on the Pencarrow Road south of Burdans Gate to the lower Pencarrow Lighthouse between 31 October to 31 July.
- No dogs are allowed on the Pencarrow Road between 1 August to 30 October.
- Read these tips to respect the environment, the trail, and other trail users before you visit. The weather can be changeable and extreme on the southern coast so be prepared.
- Watch for vehicles on Pencarrow Coast Road and in Baring Head.
- No swimming in Lake Kohangapirpiri or Lake Kohangatera.
- We do not recommend swimming on beaches south of Burdans Gate or in the Cook Strait as the currents are strong.
- No quad bikes or trail bikes.
- No vehicles on beaches.
- Please stay out of fenced areas, these are nesting areas for Banded Dotterels / Pohowera.
- No fires.
Download the park brochure
This brochure (pdf 1.7MB) contains everything you might want to know about the park – copies may also be available at the entrances to the various walks around the bays.