Explore Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is a huge coastal reserve on the Kāpiti Coast, Wellington, stretching between Paekākāriki and Raumati. Covering more than 600 hectares of dunes, wetlands, farmland, and open space, it protects one of the last remaining areas of natural duneland in the lower North Island. The park is easily reached from State Highway 1 via the Paekākāriki off-ramp, where the main entrance leads to picnic areas, parking, and wide open rural landscapes.
A Park of History and Heritage
During the Second World War, Queen Elizabeth Park was home to a large US Marine Corps camp. Thousands of troops trained here before being deployed to the Pacific, and today a memorial and interpretation panels recall their presence. Remnants of the camp, including foundations and pathways, can still be found, giving the park a layered sense of history that sits alongside its natural beauty.
The land also has deeper connections to Māori, particularly Ngāti Haumia of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, who lived in the area and used the coast for fishing and gathering shellfish. Place names and archaeological sites reflect centuries of occupation before the park became a Crown reserve in the 20th century.
Landscapes, Wildlife, and Recreation
The park offers a mix of restored wetlands, regenerating forest, open grassland, and a long stretch of wild Whareroa Beach. One of the highlights is the re-established lagoon just beyond the Marine Memorial, where reflections of sky and dunes are often alive with birdlife. On a calm day, the lagoon is filled with the fluttering of pīwakawaka (fantails), swallows, and other native birds.
Extensive tracks criss-cross the park for walking, cycling, and horse riding. These trails connect to the wider Kāpiti cycleway and to Paekākāriki village. Beach access is easy, and the broad sands offer opportunities for walking, fishing, and horse treks with views across to Kāpiti Island. The wetlands also support important habitats for native fish, eels, and bird species, part of an ongoing restoration programme led by the regional council and community volunteers.
How to get there
If you are coming along the motorway (State Highway, take the signposted off-ramp onto Whareroa Road and drive directly into the centre of the park. From the main car park, you will have easy access to the main tracks and facilities. You can also enter the park from the northern end of Paekākāriki, with the main entrance on Queen Elizabeth Road, or from the Esplanade in Raumati South.
