Last updated October 2026
Lowry Bay is a small coastal suburb on the eastern shore of Wellington Harbour in Lower Hutt, part of the string of Eastern Bays that run south toward Eastbourne.
Known in te reo Māori as Whiorau, it sits along Marine Drive with a narrow gravel beach, bush-clad hills behind, and easy access to the harbour for swimming, kayaking and boat launching.
The bay forms one of the quieter residential pockets between Point Howard and Days Bay, popular with people seeking harbour views and a village feel close to the city. Visitors and residents share the shoreline with the Tupua Horo Nuku shared path project and local reserves. It remains an accessible day-trip destination from central Wellington and the Hutt Valley.
Practical Information
- Ward or local board
- Harbour Ward; Eastbourne Community Board
- Getting there
- Marine Drive (the coastal road linking Seaview and Petone with Eastbourne). Regular bus services run along the Eastern Bays to Eastbourne; ferry services operate to nearby Days Bay from central Wellington.
- Main shopping
- Local needs are met in Eastbourne (Rimu Street and surrounding streets a short drive or bus ride south); limited facilities within Lowry Bay itself.
- Schools
- Muritai School (state primary, Eastbourne); Wellesley College (independent boys’ primary, Days Bay). School bus stops serve the bays.
- Nearby landmarks
- Whiorau Reserve and boat ramp; Lowry Bay beach (Cheviot Road); Skerrett Boat Shed; Days Bay and Williams Park; Point Howard; East Harbour Regional Park tracks.
About Lowry Bay
Whiorau (often rendered as the place of many blue ducks, or whio) is the Māori name for the bay. Before the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake raised the harbour shoreline, a gravel bar enclosed a swampy area where waterfowl gathered.
The English name commemorates Richard Lowry, first mate on the New Zealand Company survey ship Tory in 1839. The bay lies within the traditional rohe associated with Te Ātiawa and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika.
European settlement began early. James and Emma Jackson, who arrived on the Duke of Roxburgh in 1840, took up country acres here and built the first house in Lowry Bay in 1841 from handmade bricks on the northern ridge. Timber from the area helped build early Wellington.
The house was damaged in the 1855 earthquake and later demolished; bricks and a plaque remain on a track in East Harbour Regional Park. Access in those years was largely by boat or over the hills, as the coastal road did not yet exist in its present form.
Today Lowry Bay is a low-key residential suburb of harbour-front and hillside homes, many with views across Wellington Harbour. The beach is a narrow gravel strip bounded by rocky outcrops, with the road running close alongside.
Parking and a boat ramp are available at the southern end near Whiorau Reserve. There are no toilets or changing facilities immediately beside the main beach stretch. The area forms part of the wider Eastbourne community and retains a strong residents’ association presence on local issues such as coastal protection and path design.
The Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays shared path is progressively improving walking and cycling links, beach access and coastal resilience along Marine Drive, including through Whiorau/Lowry Bay.
The project name was gifted by Te Ātiawa Taranaki Whānui and references traditional harbour creation narratives. Informal beach access has long been a feature; design work has considered formal access points, seating and planting while managing space constraints beside the road and seawall.
History and Heritage
In the late nineteenth century Lowry Bay was a popular excursion destination. Ferry operators, including the Williams family, ran picnic and day-trip services; a wharf once served the bay before attention shifted to Days Bay. The Skerrett Boat Shed, a Category 2 historic place on Marine Drive, has stood since around 1906.
Built for Sir Charles Skerrett (later Chief Justice of New Zealand) and Robert Turnbull without initial Harbour Board consent, it is regarded as one of the oldest boat sheds on Wellington Harbour still in original condition. It is now owned by Hutt City Council and remains a local landmark.
When Eastbourne Borough was formed, York Bay and Lowry Bay initially remained in Hutt County at residents’ request before the wider eastern bays were integrated into the modern Lower Hutt city structure. The suburb continues to sit under the Eastbourne Community Board for local advocacy.
Getting Outdoors
The gravel beach at Cheviot Road is used for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and dog walking (check current Hutt City Council dog rules). Water quality is monitored by Greater Wellington Regional Council as part of the recreational programme; avoid swimming for two to three days after heavy rain. Whiorau Reserve provides boat-ramp access and parking at the southern end.
Bush tracks climb into East Harbour Regional Park from the bays, including routes near the old Jackson house site. The developing Tupua Horo Nuku path improves safe walking and cycling connections between Point Howard, Lowry Bay and Eastbourne. Nearby Days Bay offers a larger park, wharf and ferry link.
Getting Around
Marine Drive is the sole road corridor. It is a scenic but sometimes busy coastal route; speed limits have been reviewed for safety, with consistency around 50 km/h in sections of the Eastern Bays. Buses serve the bays through to Eastbourne.
The East by West ferry to Days Bay provides an alternative harbour crossing from central Wellington. Parking at the beach and reserve is limited, especially in fine weather. Cyclists and walkers increasingly use the shared-path sections as they open.
Where to Learn More
Hutt City Council: Official information on Eastern Bays projects, community boards, transport and local facilities.
LAWA – Lowry Bay at Cheviot Road: Recreational water-quality monitoring, beach description and swim guidance for the site.
Hutt City Libraries Heritage: Detailed account of early European settlement, the Jackson house and the meaning of Whiorau.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lowry Bay?
Lowry Bay is a coastal suburb of Lower Hutt on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour, along Marine Drive between Point Howard/Sorrento Bay and York Bay/Days Bay, within the Eastern Bays and Eastbourne Community Board area.
What does Whiorau mean?
Whiorau is the Māori name associated with the bay, commonly explained as referring to many blue ducks (whio) that once gathered in the swampy, gravel-bar landscape that existed before the 1855 earthquake raised the shoreline.
Is there a beach at Lowry Bay?
Yes. A narrow gravel beach runs beside Marine Drive at Cheviot Road, bounded by rocky outcrops. Parking and a boat ramp are at the southern end near Whiorau Reserve. There are no toilets or changing rooms right at the main beach strip.
Can you swim at Lowry Bay?
People swim, snorkel and kayak here. Check LAWA or Greater Wellington water-quality predictions before entering the water, and avoid swimming for two to three days after heavy rain.
How do you get to Lowry Bay from Wellington or Lower Hutt?
Drive via Marine Drive from Petone or Seaview, or take a bus along the Eastern Bays route toward Eastbourne. A passenger ferry runs between central Wellington and nearby Days Bay.
Are there schools in Lowry Bay?
There is no school inside the immediate bay. Local primary options include Muritai School in Eastbourne and Wellesley College (boys’ independent primary) in Days Bay. School buses serve the bays.
What is the Skerrett Boat Shed?
It is a Category 2 historic place on Marine Drive in Lowry Bay, built around 1906 for Sir Charles Skerrett and Robert Turnbull. It is one of the oldest boat sheds on Wellington Harbour still in original condition and is now owned by Hutt City Council.
Is Lowry Bay good for walking and cycling?
Yes. The Tupua Horo Nuku Eastern Bays shared path is being built along Marine Drive to improve walking and cycling safety and coastal access through Lowry Bay and neighbouring bays. Bush tracks also lead into East Harbour Regional Park.
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