Wellington Region

Natural wonders in Wellington Region

Wellington's landscape is defined by its dramatic interaction between land and sea. This collection highlights geological rarities like the Putangirua Pinnacles' badlands erosion and the raised beach platforms of Turakirae Head. Coastal landmarks include Cape Palliser, the North Island's southernmost point, and the historic Castlepoint Lighthouse. From the tidal inlets of Porirua Harbour to the native bush-clad Korokoro waterfall and the distinctively weathered Honeycomb Rock, these sites showcase the region's diverse geomorphology and rugged southwestern shoreline.

Wellington's Natural Wonders — Map

Touko Maksimainen / CC BY 2.5

A

Putangirua Pinnacles

The Pūtangirua Pinnacles are a geological formation and one of New Zealand's best examples of badlands erosion.

Karora / Public domain

B

Cape Palliser

Cape Palliser is a promontory on the southern coast of New Zealand's North Island and is the southernmost point of the North Island; it is…

C

Castlepoint Lighthouse

Castle Point Lighthouse, located near the village of Castlepoint in the Wellington Region of the North Island of New Zealand, is the North…

D

Korokoro waterfall

Located in Belmont Regional Park, this waterfall is accessible via a bush walk starting from the historic Korokoro Dam.

Paul Moss Photographer Artist NZ / CC BY-SA 2.5

E

Te Raekaihau

Te Raekaihau Point is a rugged coastal landform in Wellington, New Zealand, adjacent to Princess Bay, between Houghton Bay to the west and…

Karora / Public domain

F

Porirua Harbour

Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour, commonly known as Porirua Harbour, is a natural inlet in the south-western coast of the North Island of New…

Arnhemcr / Public domain

G

Aotea Lagoon

Aotea Lagoon is an artificial lagoon surrounded by a 7-hectare public park

Andrewgprout / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Turakirae Head

Turakirae Head is a promontory on the southern coast of New Zealand's North Island.

I

Trickle Falls

A small waterfall located within Trelissick Park in the suburb of Ngaio, accessible via the park's walking tracks.

J

Mitre Falls

Situated in the Tararua Forest Park on the South Mitre Stream, reachable via the track to Mitre Flats.

K

Castlepoint Beach

Sandy shoreline sheltered by a limestone reef and the 162-metre-high Castle Rock. It is the only known habitat of the Castlepoint daisy.

L

Riversdale Beach

A four-kilometre sandy beach on the Wairarapa coast, used for surfing, swimming, and fishing.

M

Glendhu Rocks

Coastal rock formations situated along the rugged Wairarapa shoreline south of Glenburn.

N

Thoms Rock

A prominent rock feature on the Karori coast within the remote Terawhiti Station area.

O

Luna Rock

A rock formation located along the Makara Walkway on Wellington's western coastline.

P

Honeycomb Rock

Coastal formation featuring honeycomb-like 'tafoni' weathering patterns. It is located on the Glenburn Station coastline and reached via a designated walking track.

Other Lists

Wellington Region: Unmissable Highlights Wellington Peaks and Viewpoints Wellington Alpine & Wilderness Huts Wellington's Sacred Sites