Houghton Bay
Houghton Bay is the south coast valley suburb of Wellington between Island Bay and Lyall Bay, with two beaches at the bottom of the road and the coast walk in both directions.
Why people love it here
Houghton Bay is a valley that opens onto Cook Strait. The houses run down the slopes on either side of Houghton Bay Road to the beach at the bottom, and Princess Bay, the sandy cove round the corner, is where the suburb swims.
It is one of the coast's small communities. Houghton Valley School sits in the middle of the valley, Sinclair Park is the green above it, and the neighbours know each other by name.
The coast is the reason. The south coast walkway runs west along the shore to Island Bay and east to Lyall Bay, the surf comes into the bay itself, and the divers and snorkellers work the rocks off Princess Bay.
Island Bay's village and Lyall Bay's cafes are a few minutes either way, Newtown and the hospital are over the hill, and the Southern Walkway comes down through Melrose to finish here.
Houghton Bay, counted
Stats NZ figures for the statistical area Houghton Bay, Place summaries. Population is the estimated resident population; the rest are the 2023 Census. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
The best of Houghton Bay
Every pick checked against its own listing on 13 September 2026.
What you can buy here
The house on the valley side
Up the slopes either side of Houghton Bay Road, with the sea at the bottom of the street.
The renovated original
The 1950s and 1960s houses the valley was built with, opened up to the view.
The newer build
Later houses on the upper streets, designed around the coast.
Two beaches and a walkway
Princess Bay
The sandy cove for swimming and snorkelling, round the point from the main beach.
The coast walk
Along the shore in both directions, Island Bay one way and Lyall Bay the other.
What people ask about Houghton Bay
Where is Houghton Bay?
Houghton Bay is on Wellington's south coast, about 7 km from Lambton Quay, between Island Bay to the west and Lyall Bay to the east, below Melrose.
How far is Houghton Bay from Wellington's city centre?
About 7 km by road through Newtown, and the bus runs through Island Bay or Newtown into the city.
What is Houghton Bay known for?
Princess Bay and Houghton Bay beach, the south coast walkway and the end of the Southern Walkway.
What kind of homes are in Houghton Bay?
Houses on the valley sides with the sea at the bottom of the street, renovated 1950s and 1960s originals and newer builds on the upper streets.
What schools are in Houghton Bay?
Houghton Valley School is the primary in the middle of the valley, and Wellington High School and Wellington East Girls' College are the zoned secondaries.
How many properties has Jason Lange sold in Houghton Bay?
5 properties, from my own sale records, counting every title once. Every one is on the results page with its address. See them→
5 properties I have sold in Houghton Bay
From my own sale records, read 17 September 2026. Sale prices are not published here.
Tell me your street and I will send you your Houghton Bay performance report, with specific sales and data.
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