The area is hilly and has no road access; a walking and mountain biking track follows the coast line.

It is one of Wellington's most notable heritage locations and New Zealand's only female lighthouse keeper, Mary Bennett, worked here.

The area is under joint management by the Department of Conservation and the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

[7] Treated effluent from Seaview sewage works is discharged at Pencarrow Head, at the end of a 18 km (11 mi) pipeline built in 1962.

[8] Many ships have been wrecked on the rocks between the Head and Point Hinds to the north, including Henrietta in 1852,[9] Hunter in 1876,[10] Carlotta in 1878,[11] Magic in 1921,[12] Admiral in 1960[13] and Maria Luisa in 1996, in a collision with Sydney Express.