- Watch wild fur seals hauled out on the rocks at Sinclair Head, no tour or guide needed.
- Easy 3.7km return walk along the Wellington south coast, about 50 minutes each way.
- Unmarked track that just follows the shoreline, hard to lose your way.
- Free parking and toilets at the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre car park at the start.
- Dogs must be on a lead and kept well back from the seals.
Quick facts
| Location | Owhiro Bay, south coast of Wellington |
| Distance | 3.7 km return |
| Time needed | 50 minutes |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Route | Return (out and back) |
| Elevation gain | 1 m |
| Wheelchair access | No |
| Wet feet | No |
| Toilets | Yes, at Te Kopahou Visitor Centre car park at the start |
| Dogs | On lead, keep at least 20m from the seals |
| Mobile coverage | Yes |
| Best time to see seals | Year round, most seals in winter |
Getting there
Sinclair Head is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Wellington. Head out along Adelaide Road through Newtown to Island Bay, then follow the coast road (keep the sea on your left) through to the end of Owhiro Bay Parade.
There is a free car park at the end of the road next to the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre, which has toilets on site. That is the start of the track.
If you do not have a car, Metlink bus route 29 runs to Owhiro Bay, leaving you about a 1.2km walk along the road to reach the start.
Beyond the car park the coastal road continues as an unformed 4WD track that runs all the way to Sinclair Head. On Sundays the gate past the Te Kopahou entrance is locked to motor vehicles from 9am to 6pm, so it is walkers and cyclists only during that window, the quietest time to go.
The walk to Sinclair Head seal colony
From the car park the track is really just the old quarry road, sand, rock and loose stones, hugging the coastline the whole way. You are never more than about 20 metres from the sea, so there is no way to lose the route.
A short way in you pass the old Owhiro Bay quarry, a big scarred hillside that must have been a serious operation in its day.
Keep following the coast past Red Rocks (Pariwhero), with the South Island visible across Cook Strait on a clear day.
The track eventually squeezes through a gap in the rocks that locals call Devils Gate. Fur seals haul out on the rocks just beyond it, and often you will smell them before you see them.
Go slowly through here and check behind the boulders, not just the obvious rocks. Seals tuck themselves into gaps you would not expect.
What you will see
Fur seals are the main event, hauled out on the rocks around Devils Gate and beyond. Big males turn up through winter and can weigh in at around 160kg.
Along the way you get the old Owhiro Bay quarry, the sculpted rock formations at Red Rocks, and open views across Cook Strait to the South Island on a clear day.
Who it is for
This is an easy, flat walk that suits most fitness levels, families included. The surface is loose sand, rock and stones though, so it is not suitable for wheelchairs or standard pushchairs.
If you have got more time and legs for it, the coastal route continues well beyond Sinclair Head. See the Turakirae Head Seals Walk for the longer version out to the next seal colony along this coast.
When to go
Fur seals haul out at Sinclair Head all year round. Numbers build through winter, then drop off over summer when it is mostly non breeding males left behind.
Watch out for cold, strong southerly winds along this stretch of coast, even on an otherwise still day in town it can be blowing hard out at the heads.
Important stuff
- Dogs must be on a lead here. Fur seals haul out right around Devils Gate and DOC asks dog walkers to keep at least 20 metres back from them at all times.
- Fur seals are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act. Stay at least 20 metres away, never get between a seal and the water, and do not stand downhill of one, they move faster than you would think.
- The track doubles as a road for 4WDs, mountain bikers and trail bike riders outside the Sunday closure, so stay alert for vehicles coming up behind you.
- Wellington City Council has closed the Owhiro Bay gate to vehicles before during periods of high fire risk in dry summer weather, while keeping the reserve open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Check the current rules before you go if you are relying on driving in over summer.
My honest take
I walked this one out and back and never once wondered if I was on the right track, the sea keeps you honest the whole way. The smell hits you before Devils Gate does, and true to form, the seals I found were tucked behind rocks I would never have thought to check first. Big males average around 160kg, I did not fancy my chances arguing with one over a good rock. Bring a jacket even if it looks calm in town, it gets cold and blowy out at the heads.
Common questions
Is this the same as Turakirae Head?
No. Sinclair Head sits at the end of the coastal track from Owhiro Bay. Turakirae Head is a separate seal colony further along the coast toward Wainuiomata. See the Turakirae Head Seals Walk for that one.
When is the best time to see the seals?
Fur seals are at Sinclair Head year round. Numbers peak in winter, dropping over summer when mainly non breeding males remain.
Can I get there without a car?
Metlink bus route 29 runs to Owhiro Bay, leaving about a 1.2km walk along the road to reach the start of the track.
Can I drive all the way to the seals?
The unformed coastal road continues past the car park but it is shared with 4WDs, mountain bikers and trail bikes, and the gate beyond Te Kopahou is locked to vehicles from 9am to 6pm on Sundays. Most people just walk it.
Can I camp overnight near the start?
Te Kopahou Reserve has a few freedom camping spots near the visitor centre car park for self contained vehicles only, up to four nights a month.
Other walks nearby
A few other south coast walks worth pairing with this one:
Back to the Wellington Walks hub.
