Pencarrow

Whether you are on foot or two wheels, Pencarrow and the lakes of East Harbour Regional Park make for a stunning day of adventure.

Getting there: Follow SH2 to Petone and take the turn off. Follow the road around the coast to Eastbourne, and from there continue along Muritai Road to the very end, where you will find the carpark. Alternatively, there are buses and the Days Bay ferry service that will take you to Eastbourne, from which you can walk or bus down to the end.

Having driven out, we opted to pick up some bikes from The Bike Shed, located in the carpark, in order to get the most out of our day. It doesn't get much better than a leisurely ride around the coast on a sunny day, and the extra speed means that you have plenty of time to explore the lakes and wetlands as well! The Bike Shed has a tonne of bikes, and with incredibly friendly and efficient service, it couldn't be easier. More info is available on their website here.

The first part of the track is very straightforward, just follow the coastal road for about 8km until you reach the lighthouses at the point. There are two lighthouses: the historic Pencarrow lighthouse (New Zealand's first permanent lighthouse), which sits on the top of the hill and can either be reached from the Kohangapiripiri Loop track (more on that soon) or via a winding goat track up the side of the hill (look out for the path going off the coastal road); and the newer lighthouse which sits at the bottom of the point.

Continuing on around the coast, you will soon come across a path leading inland called the Lake Kohangapiripiri Loop. This track is a beautiful 7.5km ride or walk, although if you are walking note that this combined with the walk out means you will be looking at a pretty long and tiring 30km. The loop takes you around the edge of the lake, across a boardwalk crossing the Cameron wetland, and up a steep hill and onto the Cameron Ridge track. The ridge offers views back across Lake Kohangapiripiri and towards the lighthouse in one direction, and across Lake Kohangatera towards Bearing Head in the other. It is also particularly fun by bike, with swooping downhills getting the adrenaline pumping.

As one (of many) alternatives, rather than doing the full Kohangapiripiri Loop, about 1km into the track there is a turn off onto the Lighthouse Loop track. This will take you up to the Pencarrow Lighthouse, and you can then return via the goat track. Maps are everywhere in the area, and also available here.

Please note that the weather can change quickly out there, so be prepared with warm, waterproof, windproof clothing and plenty of snacks and water. The weather can also make the tracks pretty muddy in the lakes area, especially in winter, so be prepared to get dirty and, unless you are an experienced mountain biker, walk up and down some of the steeper hills.

Bikes kindly provided by Everyone's Adventure - check them out here.