Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, Kāpiti Coast

Two bikers rounding a corner on the MTB No.2 track on Whareroa Farm. In the background are Kapiti Island and coastal hills.

About the park

Whareroa Farm is a large recreation reserve north of Paekākāriki with regenerating native bush and wetlands. The Kāpiti Coast farm has seven remnant blocks of native forest and numerous streams home to over 30 bird species.

It doubles as a working farm and has a network of walking, mountain biking and horse riding trails through retired pastureland, native bush, and wetlands. There are sixteen different trails to explore, many of which lead to superb views of the Coast. There are also wide open picnic areas and a tranquil dell.

This local gem is also a valued connection between Queen Elizabeth Park to the west and the Akatarawa Forest Park to the east (the “hills to sea”). It is a great location whether you’re a walker, runner, mountain biker, horse rider, or want to take the family on an adventure.

Ride the infamous Red Tape downhill track (a passion project of the Kāpiti Mountain Bike Club), or take a hike up several trails to the Five Ways lookout, a picnic spot with an extraordinary view of Kapiti Island and the Coast. If you’re up for an adventure, come and take part in the ultimate mountains-to-sea triathlon at the Xterra Wellington Festival.

Getting there

There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from the Metlink website. Paekākāriki is the closest train station.
Whareroa Farm is 3.5km north of Paekākāriki on State Highway 1, an hour’s drive north of Wellington. Take the Mackays crossing exit to Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Whareroa Farm entrance is east through the underpass. Parking is available at the entrance.
You can ride through Queen Elizabeth Park from either Paekākāriki or Raumati South to the Mackays Crossing underpass, which takes you directly to the Whareroa Farm entrance.

About the park

Explore the trails

Getting there

Know before you go