Red Rocks Fishing: South Coast Rock Fishing at Pariwhero, Wellington

Last updated October 2026

Red Rocks (Pariwhero) is an outcrop of red pillow lava on Wellington’s wild south coast, about an hour’s walk west of the Ōwhiro Bay quarry along a flat gravel coast road. It lies outside Taputeranga Marine Reserve, whose western boundary is at the quarry face, so you can fish here, but you cannot fish the shore in front of the car park.

The coast is exposed to Cook Strait currents and southern swell, and reef fish such as butterfish and blue moki live among the kelp. Two things to know before you go: health officials advise against collecting kaimoana on this coast after the 2026 Moa Point wastewater failure, and fur seals rest here in winter.

Red Rocks at a Glance

Location

South coast, west of the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre at the end of Ōwhiro Bay Parade

Water

Open south coast, Cook Strait (sea)

Reef fish

Butterfish and blue moki on the reefs of this coast

Walk

Just under an hour from the quarry gate; 7.4 km return to Devil’s Gate, 2 to 3 hours

Marine reserve

Taputeranga starts at the quarry face: no fishing east of it, including in front of the car park

Kaimoana

Health NZ advises not to collect or eat kaimoana from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay

Toilets

Te Kopahou Visitor Centre car park only

Tide port

Wellington, adjusted for Cave Bay (LINZ secondary port)

Rules

MPI Central fishing area; no licence needed for sea fishing

Cost

Free

What to Expect

Red Rocks is an outcrop of ancient volcanic pillow lava set in younger greywacke, with red and green siltstone. Red Rocks Scientific Reserve was created in 1972 after public concern about quarrying, and Pariwhero is also a historic reserve. The land behind the coast is Wellington City Council’s Te Kopahou Reserve, which climbs steeply to the ridge.

Early Māori came to this coast to fish and to gather bull kelp for storing fish, rather than to live. Legends explain the red colour: Māui’s blood used as bait before he caught Te Ika a Māui, or Kupe cutting himself on a pāua. Te Rimurapa, Sinclair Head, further west, is named for its bull kelp.

The old fishers’ boat ramps carved into the reefs and the small group of baches from the early 1900s along the road show how long people have fished this coast. The gravel quarry at Ōwhiro Bay worked from 1905, was bought by the council in 2000, and is now the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre.

DOC describes this coast as swept by strong tidal currents from Cook Strait and pounded by swells from the Southern Ocean, with long finger reefs separated by gravel channels running offshore, covered in kelp and large brown seaweeds.

How to Fish Red Rocks

Where and when

Walk or bike west from the quarry gate, past the marine reserve boundary at the quarry face, and fish the rocks and reef edges towards Red Rocks.

The kelp-covered finger reefs and gravel channels hold reef fish, but they also snag gear, so fish the edges and carry spare rigs. Fish on calm days only: this coast takes the full force of southerly swell, and the sea can change fast.

What to catch

• Butterfish and blue moki: DOC lists both among the reef fish on this stretch of coast, and blue moki is a signature fish of Wellington’s south coast.
• Other species: DOC records more than 180 fish species on the south coast. Ask at a local tackle shop for what has been caught recently.

Bait

Bring your bait with you. Health NZ advises not to collect kaimoana between Ōwhiro Bay and Breaker Bay, and shellfish baits are a common choice for moki on Wellington’s rocks.

Getting There and Facilities

• Parking: a large car park at the Te Kopahou Visitor Centre, at the end of Ōwhiro Bay Parade.
• Toilets: at the visitor centre. There are none further along the coast.
• Walking and biking: the coast road is flat but uneven and unformed beyond the quarry. Red Rocks is just under an hour’s walk; the full walk to Devil’s Gate is 7.4 km return, 2 to 3 hours. Mountain bikes are allowed.
• 4WD vehicles: the road is open to 4WDs every day except Sunday, when the gate is closed. It is not suitable for 2WD cars. Watch for vehicles as you walk.
• Bus: Metlink route 29 serves Ōwhiro Bay.
• Dogs: on a lead, and at least 20 m from seals and other wildlife.

Rules and Safety

• Taputeranga Marine Reserve: no fishing or taking anything. Its western boundary runs due south from the quarry face, so Red Rocks is outside it but the foreshore at the car park and Ōwhiro Bay is inside. Check DOC’s map or the MarineMate app before you cast.
• Moa Point wastewater: after the Moa Point treatment plant failed in February 2026, Health NZ advises: “Do not collect or eat kaimoana from South Coast waters (Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay).” It says pāua, kina, crayfish and fish are generally lower risk but can still be contaminated while discharge continues. Red Rocks is just west of that stretch, so check the Health NZ and LAWA pages before you take anything home.
• Fur seals: DOC asks people to stay at least 20 m from seals, never get between a seal and the sea, keep dogs on a lead and away, and keep vehicles 50 m off. Most seals haul out beyond Devil’s Gate at Sinclair Head in winter, from about May to August. Seals are protected by law.
• Sea fishing follows MPI’s Central area rules, and set-net restrictions apply on this coast. No licence is needed. Check the MPI page or the NZ Fishing Rules app for current limits.
• Strong currents, southern swell and slippery rocks make this a coast for experienced rock anglers. Watch the sea, never turn your back on the waves, and stay off the rocks in a southerly.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Pete Lamb Fishing, 15 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai: tackle, bait and local south coast advice, open seven days.

Useful Links

Common Questions

Can you fish at Red Rocks?
Yes. Red Rocks is outside Taputeranga Marine Reserve, which ends at the Ōwhiro Bay quarry face. You cannot fish east of that line, including in front of the car park.

Is it safe to eat kaimoana from Red Rocks?
Health NZ advises not to collect or eat kaimoana from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay after the Moa Point wastewater failure. Red Rocks is just west of that stretch, so check the latest advice first.

How close can I get to the seals?
DOC asks you to stay at least 20 m away, never get between a seal and the sea, and keep vehicles 50 m away.

How long is the walk to Red Rocks?
Just under an hour each way from the quarry gate on a flat gravel road.

Can I drive to Red Rocks?
Only in a 4WD, and not on Sundays, when the gate is closed. The road is unsuitable for 2WD cars.

What fish live around Red Rocks?
Reef fish such as butterfish and blue moki live along this coast among the kelp.

Do I need a fishing licence?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, but MPI’s Central area rules apply.

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Sources and data notes 1

• Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Wellington using LINZ secondary port offsets.