Cairn View Track

About the trail

Cairn View Track takes you on an uphill journey to the Cairn Lookout at Whareroa Farm. Enjoy views over the farm, Kāpiti Coast, the Camp MacKay site, and a historic water reservoir. 

The cairn at the lookout was built by the Whareroa Guardians Community Trust. It is dedicated to Whareroa’s tangata whenua — Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Haumia, and Te Āti Awa. It commemorates the ‘saving’ of the farm reserve from private development.

Return back down the hill along the same trail or carry on to the Ti Kouka track. Ti Kouka leads to the Rocks lookout, the highest point on the farm. From here, join the Te Ara Ramaroa track to do a full loop trip (about 3 hours).

Getting there

• Cairn View track is accessible from halfway along Farm Race Track at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve in Paekākāriki.
• There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from Metlink.

Know before you go

• Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list. Check MetService for an up to date weather report.
• Check Department of Conservation for alerts or closures before you visit.
• Summer open hours: 8am to 9pm. Winter open hours: 8am to 6pm.
• Take warm waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food and water.
• Toilets are available at the Whareroa Farm car park and at the top of Farm Race Track.
• This reserve is a working farm, and some trails cross through paddocks with livestock. If you open a gate, please close it. 
• Dogs are not allowed.
• Equestrian access through Whareroa Farm is controlled by locked gates. You can pick up a key from the Kāpiti Coast District Council depot on Riverbank Road. A deposit is required.

For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.