Baring Head/Ōrua-pouanui, Historic lighthouse complex at Wellington's southern coast, New Zealand
Baring Head is a historic lighthouse complex situated on a headland at Wellington's southern coast, positioned between Wellington Harbour and Palliser Bay. The site features coastal walking tracks, protected natural reserves, and commanding views across the water from its elevated location.
The lighthouse complex was built in 1935 and replaced the Pencarrow lighthouse that previously served the area. The site initially operated with diesel generators for power until it was connected to the electrical grid in 1950.
The headland holds deep meaning for Māori communities as Ōrua-pouanui, a place where food was traditionally gathered and resources were collected from the ocean. This cultural connection remains visible in how local communities interact with and care for the site today.
The site can be reached via a three-hour loop walk from East Harbour Regional Park, with parking available at the entrance. Visitors should bring appropriate clothing for changeable coastal weather and will find toilet facilities near the lighthouse.
The Baring Head Atmospheric Research Station has been recording carbon dioxide levels continuously since 1972, maintaining the Southern Hemisphere's longest-running dataset on air composition. This scientific work makes the headland an important modern observatory that complements its historical role as a maritime marker.
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