Wellington Regional Trails

In a region full of wonderful vistas, this short trail along a wild, rugged coastline leads to one of the most recognisable landmarks in New Zealand.

Walking time

30 min return

Length

821m

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easy: Walking track

Profile

45m climb

-45m descent

48m highest point

Dogs

No

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About the trail

The Castlepoint Lighthouse Walk is a short trail following the cliffs above Castlepoint Scenic Reserve.

Built in 1913, the lighthouse is one of the last in the country with a rotating beam. Standing 52m above sea level (the actual lighthouse is 23m high), it offers breathtaking views over the Wairarapa Coast. Fossick for fossil shells on the beach below, or if you’re lucky, you may encounter a colony of fur seals sunbathing in the reserve.

Wooden walkway leading to the Castlepoint lighthouse with hills in background and blue ocean.

The trail is an hour east of Masterton. Turn right onto Te Ore Ore Road on the northern outskirts of Masterton. This road becomes the Masterton Castlepoint Road and leads directly to Castlepoint Scenic Reserve.

There are regular train services from Wellington to Masterton, and timetables are available from the Metlink website. However, you will need a vehicle to get from Masterton to Castlepoint.

Looking for more?

A drone shot of two adults and two kids standing on a bridge over a river in Tararua Forest Park.

Donnelly Flat Loop Walk

An easy walk for the whole family among mature podocarp and broadleaf native trees in the Tararua Range.

Two adults and two kids cross a bridge surrounded by trees on the Gentle Annie Track to Mount Holdsworth in Tararua Forest Park.

Gentle Annie Track

Climb up to Mountain House Shelter along one of the most popular half-day trails in Tararua Forest Park.

Two people walking along a rocky canyon at the Putangirua Pinnacles track in the Wairarapa.

Putangirua Pinnacles Track

Get up close and personal with ancient rock formations that featured in The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King.

Two adults and two children are at the Rocky Lookout, on Mount Holdsworth in the Tararua Forest Park.

Rocky Lookout

An easy trail to a viewing platform with extensive views over Tararua Forest Park and the Wairarapa Plains.

A person walking along a swing bridge on the Atiwhakatu track in Tararua Forest Park.

Atiwhakatu Track

Walk alongside the Atiwhakatu River and return the same day, or rest at Atiwhakatu Hut overnight.

Three people are standing with their arms raised facing the view of the harbour in the background at Te Whiti Riser, a hiking trail in Lower Hutt Wellington.

Te Whiti Riser

A popular all-weather walking and mountain biking track overlooking Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt.

3 people walking along a boardwalk looking at the native trees on the Kowhai Street Track to Butterfly Creek.

Kowhai Street Track

East Harbour Regional ParkA zigzag trail with options for exploring more of the East Harbour Regional Park, including the popular Butterfly Creek picnic area and views over Wellington Harbour.

A dirt path cuts through green grass and hay paddocks on the Greytown to Woodside trail.

Greytown to Woodside Trail

The original Greytown to Woodside railway line provides a beautiful and family-friendly walking path.

2 adults and 2 children bike alongside the Hutt River.

Hutt River Trail

Follow the picturesque Hutt River all the way from Petone to Upper Hutt on this easy, well-maintained trail.

Four people ride bicycles on a path in Queen Elizabeth Regional Park in the Paraparaumu, New Zealand surrounded by nature.

Coast 35

Coast 35 connects Paekākāriki and Ōtaki through an off-road shared trail that runs parallel with the Kāpiti Expressway.