Yankee Trail

About the trail

The Yankee Trail retraces the steps of the US Marines who used this track to travel between Camp Mackay and Paekākāriki in 1942 and 1943.

The trail begins at the Paekākāriki entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park on Wellington Road. It follows the Wainui Stream and finishes up at the Marines Memorial, where you can learn about the US troops stationed in Paekākāriki, Mackays Crossing, and Whareroa Farm during World War II.

The surface is mostly unsealed so it's suitable for mountain bikers. The biking is not challenging and covers a few small up-and-down sections. One section of the trail is steeper, so hop off and walk your bike over if you need to.

Just before you reach the Memorial, the Yankee trail joins Te Ara o Tipapa (Wetland Loop). The wetlands attract a wide range of native coastal birds and noisy frogs. The Wetland Loop is a 2km side-track around the water’s edge that takes about 45 minutes return if you're walking. There is plenty of information about the birds and native plants in this area.

Getting there 

• The Yankee Trail starts near the southern entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park. It is clearly signposted.
• You can also access the north end of the trail from the Mackays Crossing entrance to Queen Elizabeth Park on Whareroa Beach Road.
• If you're driving there is plenty of car parking at both ends of the trail.
• Public transport is available from Wellington to Paekākāriki. Timetables are available from Metlink. Queen Elizabeth Park is a 20-minute walk from Paekākāriki Railway Station.

Know before you go

• Visit Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list.
• Get an up-to-date weather report from MetService before setting off.
• Toilets and drinking water are available at Mackays Crossing.
• Take warm waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food, and water.
• Take a camera and enjoy some quiet bird-watching while you’re in the wetlands.
• Please be considerate of the regenerating bush and wetlands and try not to disturb the fragile environment around you.
• Dogs are not permitted on or near farmland.
• This is a multi-use track. People on bikes must give way to walkers and other track users.