About

Cape Palliser is Wairarapa’s wild and rugged southernmost beach, it’s more than 125 years old lighthouse a beacon out into the Cook Strait. An hour from Martinborough, Cape Palliser is home to one of New Zealand’s largest colonies of fur seals and rich in Māori heritage.

The sunsets here are out of this world! And on a clear day, you can see right across the sea to the South Island and Kaikoura Ranges.

Cape Palliser highlights

• Cape Palliser Lighthouse
  Climb the epic 253 steps to the lighthouse! If the stairs don’t take your breath away, the stunning ocean view will. Standing on the cliffs since 1897, the Cape Palliser Lighthouse shines brightly every night.
• Fur Seal Colony
  Cape Palliser is home to the North Island’s largest fur seal colony and if you visit between November and January, you might just see some seal pups! Remember to stay well back (at least 20 meters) and keep dogs on lead.
• Māori Heritage
  South Wairarapa has a strong connection to local Māori with archaeologists believing Tangata Whenua first settled in the Cape Palliser area in the 1300s.

Things to do nearby

• Putangirua Pinnacles
  Made famous by the Lord of the Rings trilogy, these magnificent natural rock formations are WOW. It’s a good one-hour bush walk from the car park to the pinnacle viewing platform, and sturdy shoes, water bottles, and sun protection are recommended.
• Places to eat and drink
  • Cape Palliser Bar & Grill, known for incredible seafood and much more. A retro restaurant with stunning views.
  • The Captain's Table Food Truck has fresh seafood straight from the boat.
  • The Land Girl cafe is perfect for a great coffee and lunch on your way out.
• Waimeha Camping Village
  Sitting right on the beachfront just a few kilometres north of Cape Palliser and Ngawi, Waimeha Camping Village is a gem of a coastal camping experience.

Accommodation

• Check out places to stay on the Wairarapa Coast.