Te Kopahou Visitor Centre, Wellington 6023, New Zealand

Te Kopahou Visitor Centre, Wellington 6023, New Zealand 

Te Kopahou Reserve entrance is at the west end of Owhiro Bay. It provides a stopping point for people visiting the south coast or continuing further around the coastline.

Previously a quarry, it is at the beginning of an easy walk or off-road cycle ride to Red Rocks and the seal haul-out area at Sinclair Head. This area is also open for 4WD vehicles on every day other than Sundays, when the gate is closed and it is only open for walkers and mountain bikers. The western end of Taputeranga Marine Reserve is below the quarry face.

The area was redeveloped as part of an overall landscape upgrade in 2008. Features include the old quarry building, now a Visitor Centre with displays on the old quarry and the south coast history, and the unique flora and fauna native to this part of the south coast.

There are good views out to Cook Strait and the south coast from the area around Te Kopahou Visitor Centre with seating and gathering areas. The area also features a bronze sculpture of a shark (Frenzy) by Colin Webster-Watson.

Epic New Zealand Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound