Last updated May 2026
Petone Beach is a long sandy foreshore on the northern shore of Wellington Harbour, in the suburb of Petone, Lower Hutt. The beach is formed from sediment carried down by the Hutt River, giving it a wide, shallow sandy character that is safe for swimming and popular with families in summer. Toilets, changing rooms and ample parking are available along the foreshore, and a swimming raft is anchored offshore from Labour Weekend until Easter. The beach is not patrolled by lifeguards, so supervision of children in the water is important.
Practical Information
| Location | Petone Esplanade, Petone, Lower Hutt — northern shore of Wellington Harbour |
|---|---|
| Access | Ample car parking along the esplanade; bus from Lower Hutt and Wellington |
| Entry | Free |
| Swimming | Sandy, shallow beach — generally safe for swimming; no lifeguard patrol |
| Swimming raft | Anchored offshore from Labour Weekend until Easter (off Oriental Street) |
| Beach grooming | Beach is groomed over the summer period |
| Facilities | Toilets, changing rooms, ample car parking, adjacent parkland |
| Views | Wellington Harbour, Wellington city, surrounding hills |
About Petone Beach
Petone Beach stretches for over two kilometres along the Petone Esplanade, offering panoramic views across Wellington Harbour to the city and surrounding hills. The beach’s sandy, shallow character makes it safe for young swimmers in calm harbour conditions, and the beach is groomed during the summer season. The swimming raft anchored off Oriental Street from Labour Weekend to Easter is a traditional feature of summer at Petone for local children.
The Petone Foreshore is the broader recreational area along the beach — an open grassy space used for picnics, walking and cycling that runs the length of the beach. The foreshore connects Petone township to the Lower Hutt CBD and is popular for walking and running year-round.
Petone Township
Petone has a significant place in New Zealand history as the landing point of the first European settlers in 1840 — the Petone Settlers Museum on The Esplanade commemorates this history. Jackson Street, running parallel to the beach one block inland, is one of Wellington’s most intact Victorian-era commercial streets and a popular destination for antique shopping, cafés and dining. Combining a morning at Petone Beach with a walk along Jackson Street is a natural half-day for visitors to the Lower Hutt area.
Hutt City Council — Beaches has current information on Petone Beach facilities and grooming. Swim Guide — Petone Beach provides current water quality monitoring data.
FAQ
Is Petone Beach safe for swimming?
Yes — Petone Beach is generally safe for swimming with its shallow, calm harbour water. The beach is not patrolled, so supervision of children in the water is essential.
Is there a swimming raft at Petone Beach?
Yes — a swimming raft is anchored off Oriental Street from Labour Weekend until Easter each year.
Are there facilities at Petone Beach?
Yes — toilets, changing rooms and ample parking are available along the Petone Esplanade.
How do I get to Petone Beach?
Petone is accessible by bus from both Wellington city and Lower Hutt CBD. Ample car parking is available along the Petone Esplanade.
Browse all Wellington swimming spots at Swimming in Wellington. Rona Bay Beach in Eastbourne is another calm harbour swimming option in the Lower Hutt area.
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