Queen Elizabeth Park - WellingtonNZ

About the park

Queen Elizabeth Park has the largest area of naturally occurring sand dunes on the Kāpiti Coast. There are several trail options across different landscapes, and most are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. It suits people of all ages and abilities.

The main park entrance is at Mackays Crossing but there are multiple access points along the way.

Suggested routes

The most popular trails in the park are Te Ara o Whareroa and the Coastal Track.

Te Ara o Whareroa is an easy 6km sealed path running north to south through the park. It’s a popular way to travel between Paekākāriki and Raumati South by bike or on foot. The trail connects with the Kāpiti Expressway shared path via Poplar Avenue and to Whareroa Farm via the Mackays Crossing underpass.

As its name suggests, the Coastal Track follows contours of the coast. It’s an easy ride for walkers and bikers and boasts beautiful coastal views.

Unable to render element

Along with walking and cycling the trails, the park has many other activities to enjoy:

The Wellington Tramway Museum offers historic tram rides on weekends and public holidays. Tram rides run from the museum, located inside the park near the Mackays Crossing entrance.
Horseriders can enjoy easy trails over farmland, and easy access to horse-friendly beaches.
Kapiti Aeromodellers Club airfield is located inside the park — keep an eye out for model aircraft in the sky.
The park is rich in history and features historic pā sites at Whareroa and Wainui beaches, and a US Marine Corps Memorial.
The Ramaroa Centre, an award-winning heritage centre, has information on the park’s natural heritage and activities on offer.
The beach is ideal for swimming. For your safety, swim between the flags at Paekākāriki Surf Club in the summer months.
There are plenty of good picnic spots in Queen Elizabeth Park.

There are regular bus and train services to Paekākāriki, Raumati and the surrounding areas. Timetables are available from Metlink.
If you’re travelling by train, hop off at Paekākāriki railway station and walk or cycle 1.5km to the park’s southern entrance. From Paraparaumu railway station, take the Number 250 bus to Jeep Road, Raumati South.

The park has multiple entrances:

Mackays Crossing entrance. This is the main entrance to the park and is near the Tramway Museum. Take the Mackays Crossing exit off State Highway 1 and follow the signage.
Paekākāriki entrance (southern end of the park). Turn off SH1 into the Paekākāriki township and then turn right into Wellington Road. The entrance is at the end of the road.
Raumati South entrance (northern end of the park). Turn off SH1 at Poplar Avenue. At the end of the road turn left and drive about 1km to the park’s entrance.
Parking is available at Paekākāriki, Ramaroa and Whareroa Beach (via Mackays Crossing), and Raumati South.

The park lies between two towns — Paekākāriki (southern end) and Raumati South (northern end). Both towns have places to stop for food and toilet breaks.
There are three toilet blocks in the park. At the southern end near the campground, at Ramaroa visitor centre, and the central car park on Whareroa Road.
There are no shops in Queen Elizabeth Park. Ice creams and snacks are available to purchase when the tram is running.
Keep to marked beach access routes to help protect the dunes.
Most trails are shared with walkers, bikers and horses — be considerate of other users.
Take warm waterproof clothing and durable footwear, sun protection and water.
Check with Greater Wellington Regional Council for the latest park notices.
Parks are always open to foot traffic, and the vehicle gates are open from 8am to dusk.
There is a campground at the southern end of the park.
Dogs are welcome in all parts of the park, except for the Te Ara o Tipapa (Wetland Loop). They need to be on a lead in some areas, especially the busier tracks.
For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.

About the park

Suggested routes

Explore the trails