Whareroa Guardians is a Charitable Trust of volunteers which was established to protect and develop Whareroa Farm Reserve (WFR) as a reserve for environmental and heritage conservation and public enjoyment.
WFR links the Akatarawa Forest to the east with Queen Elizabeth Park and the coast to the west.
There are a variety of recreational opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding, running, picnics and just “being” in bush, by streams, on open pasture and high up on the hills.
The Guardians, in co-ordination with the Department of Conservation and the Farm Managers, enhance WFR with planting working bees, pest control, track development, offering guided tours for primary school visits and raising the public awareness as well as many other events and activities.
There are volunteer working bees usually the first Sunday in every month, more often during planting season – join in, you don’t have to be a member – working bee info can be found on the Facebook & Whareroa Guardians pages or check out the Department of Conservation’s website for further information on the park.
Thinking about going to Whareroa? Try these….
Map of Whareroa Farm Reserve
A map of all the walking, biking and horse tracks can be found here.
Visitor Activities at Whareroa Farm
In addition to just hanging out enjoying the bush, you can find a list of all the activities at Whareroa Farm here.
See below for some selected highlights for visitors.
The Marines Heritage Walk
A 50 minute walk with story-boards (maps, pictures and information) at 7 sites. Well worth a look at how the Marines were using Whareroa Farm 1942 – 1943. You can find more information here.
Caravan Mural at the Hub
Come and see the Caravan Mural at the Hub. This caravan is the result of a collaboration between many on the Kāpiti Coast.
To get the caravan to where it is we owe many thanks to:
- Kapiti Menzshed (www.menzshedkapiti.org.nz) for restoration work
- Dulux (www.dulux.co.nz) for donating paint
- Wellington Community Trust (wct.org.nz/) for grant for artist and display cabinets
- DOC for grant towards foundations and deck and picnic table
- DOC staff for help with history and general support
- Whareroa Guardians’ volunteers who built foundations, deck and seat and helped with mural
- And especially, Julie Oliver, artist with partner Tim Gilbertson: www.oliversart.co.nz
Picnic tables
There are plenty of picnic tables scattered through Whareroa (near the entrance, at the Hub, two in the Dell, near Matai Bush, along the Race, a few minutes into the Ramaroa track, near the Marines Water Intake/Silt Trap, up at Five-Ways near Campbells Mill Road and a few others around the place)
Geocaching
There are a number of geocaches hidden throughout the Whareroa Farm Reserve. You can discover them on the Geocache site.
Mountain biking
Check out the map of Whareroa Farm Reserve for bike tracks as well as the Department of Conservation and Kapiti Mountain Bike Club.
Horse riding
Equestrian access through Whareroa Farm and along Campbell’s Mill Road is controlled by locked gates. To rent a key contact Kāpiti Coast District Council Phone: +64 4 296 4700. Leave gates as you find them.
Know before you go:
- Water provided is not fit for drinking – please bring your own drinking water
- Off-road vehicles and motorbikes are not permitted
- There is no public access to the grazed areas
- Dogs are not permitted
- Fires are not permitted
- It is part working farm, so do follow any instructions/signs especially during lambing season
- Please take your rubbish with you when you leave