Gear Homestead is a grand colonial villa built in 1882 by James Gear, a wealthy Wellington butcher whose meat-freezing works at Petone were among the first in the country. The house sits on a hill above the eastern arm of Porirua Harbour with views back down the inlet.
The homestead is now a council-run heritage property used for events and weddings, with the grounds open to the public during the day. The high-ceilinged rooms, the deep verandah and the original kauri panelling are all intact, and a small heritage display covers the Gear family and the early industrial history of the Porirua district. Free to wander; the cafe in the old stables is a pleasant lunch stop on a sunny day.