Queen Elizabeth Park
http://www.gw.govt.nz/QEP
Queen Elizabeth Park
Mackays Crossing, SH 1
The Mackays Crossing entrance off SH1 gives access to Whareroa Beach and surrounding dunes, picnic areas, walking, cycling and horse riding trails, the Tramway Museum, WWII Marines displays, several wetlands and the kahikatea forest remnant.
For more information about other entrances check the Getting there tab in left hand menu.
Opening hours
8am till dusk
Dogs are welcome in some areas.
Dogs are not permitted on or near farmland.
Please keep your dog on a leash in the picnic areas.
Fireworks are prohibited in all Regional Parks and Forests
Park notices
COVID-19 update
Posted 7/9/21
At Alert Level 2, we need to play it safe. Park trails are very busy at present, be aware of other walkers and bikers.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Keep a 2m distance from people you don’t know
- The ranger’s office will remain closed at level 2
- Dogs must be on leads
- When using public facilities please wear a mask
- Wash your hands regularly
- Stay home if you are unwell
Possum monitoring
Posted 10/6/21
Tonight we will be undertaking a possum monitor to ensure that Whitireia head is maintaining its possum free status. If you are near the park tonight you might see some spotlights in the trees.
To ensure the site remains free of possums, night-time surveillances are undertaken by Greater Wellington Biosecurity staff every three months.
Dangerous tree removal
Posted 21/5/21
There are 17 dangerous pine trees that need to be removed. They are bordering Te Ara O Whareroa (walkway/cycleway) at the Raumati South end of the park near Rainbow Court.
Our contractors will be on-site to set up on Monday 24 May. Work on tree felling will commence on Tuesday 25 May. They will also remove the mulch and logs.
To ensure the safety of park users, there will be temporary traffic management in place for pedestrians and cyclists on a section of Te Ara O Whareroa from 25-29 May. Please respect and follow the instructions of Greater Wellington staff and our contractors.
See a map showing the affected area.
About
Queen Elizabeth Park has something for everyone; stop in at our award winning arrival centre, Ramaroa for information on what’s on offer.
We have picnics, sand dunes and wetlands, bird watching, walking, cycling, horse riding trails, a pony club and a historic tram to take you to the beach where you can swim and fish. The tram operates 11:00 am - 4.30pm Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays (except Christmas Day).
Park history
US Marines camp at Mackays Crossing
The coastal setting, plentiful food and central location of what is now Queen Elizabeth Park have long attracted people to the area. Maori have been living here for hundreds of years and there were major settlements at Wainui and Whareroa up until the mid-1800s. Although the land was covered in forest, the numerous waterways were deep enough for canoes to be paddled from Paekakariki to Waikanae.
