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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -41.21893, 174.70205. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 7 km loop
- Walking time
- Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Mākara Beach area
- Seasonal restrictions
- Part of track closed for lambing season between 1 August and 30 September. Access to the gun emplacements is via Mākara Beach during this time.
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This loop walk climbs to vantage points with spectacular views – farmland, a beach and gun emplacements will keep kids interested.
This DOC directory entry covers Mākara Walkway in Wellington, within Mākara Beach area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 7 km loop
- Walking time: Not specified in the checked DOC directory
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
Part of track closed for lambing season between 1 August and 30 September. Access to the gun emplacements is via Mākara Beach during this time.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
The track climbs to vantage points with spectacular views, and returning along the beach.
The high cliffs and spectacular views for centuries have provided the people of the area with good vantage points for the defence of their land. A Ngāti Ira pā site lies on the promontory at the western end of Fisherman's Bay.
Gun emplacements at the top of the cliffs mark the position of Fort Ōpau, which was garrisoned by 100 soldiers during World War II.
Getting there
Mākara Walkway begins and ends at Mākara Beach, 16 km north of Wellington. The beach is at the end of Mākara Road which runs from the south end of Karori Road.
Know before you go
Carry food and drink. There is no drinkable water on the track.
Mākara Beach is sheltered from southerly winds, but is very exposed to northerlies. The hilltops are especially prone to gale force winds.
The concrete roofs of the gun emplacements are in poor condition and could collapse. Keep out of the fenced-off areas.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is published in DOC's official route gallery with an explicit reuse licence. Its original caption and credit are retained; it does not establish current track conditions.
