Wellington Regional Trails
Brown and green farm landscape on the Ti Kouka Loop with the ocean and Kapiti Island in the distance.

Climb up Ti Kouka valley, past tī kōuka (cabbage) trees to the Rocks Lookout — the highest point of Whareroa Farm.

Walking time
1 hr 30 min
Length
1.6km
Uses
Walking/Running, Horse Riding
Type
Single track
Walking difficulty
Advanced: Tramping track
Profile

365m highest point

Dogs
No

About the trail

Ti Kouka/Rocks Track is a tramping and horse riding trail with scenic views across Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.

From the Farm Race Track, climb up the steep ridgeline and take in the views at Ti Kouka Lookout. The track then continues uphill to the Rocks Lookout — the highest point on the farm at 360m elevation. The lookout has 360-degree views over the Akatarawa Valley, Kāpiti Coast, and South Island, and nearby Kapiti Island.

You can complete this trail as a there-and-back journey, or a loop connecting with Te Ara Ramaroa Track. There are several seats and picnic tables along the way to stop for a rest.

Looking west over Whareroa Farm's rolling hills towards Kapiti Island surrounded by deep blue water.

Getting there

  • The trail starts from the lower end of the Farm Race Track, just before the Guardians’ Caravan in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, located 3.5km north of Paekākāriki on the Kāpiti Coast.
  • Take the Mackays Crossing exit off State Highway 1 to Queen Elizabeth Park. Parking is available for cars and buses at the entrance to the park.
  • There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from Metlink.
The Ti Kouka loop in Whareroa Farm a grassy trail up a small hill with views of the bush.

Tī kōuka (cabbage) trees at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.

Know before you go

  • Check Department of Conservation for alerts or closures before you visit.
  • Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list. For weather forecasts, check MetService.
  • Summer open hours: 8am to 9pm. Winter open hours: 8am to 6pm.
  • Take warm, waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food and water.
  • The track can be muddy after rain. There are many small stream crossings, and good footwear is advised.
  • Toilets are available at the Whareroa Farm car park and the top of Farm Race Track.
  • This reserve is a working farm, and some trails cross through paddocks with livestock. Be respectful, close gates behind you, and don’t bring dogs.
  • Equestrian access through Whareroa Farm is controlled by locked gates. To rent a key, contact Kāpiti Coast District Council. Leave gates as you find them.
  • For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails, check out our before you go section.

Looking for more?

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Four mountain bikers at the top of the Red Tape Track on Whareroa Farm, overlooking Kāpiti Coast and Kapiti Island.

Red Tape Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveIntermediate riders will enjoy Red Tape Track, a downhill mountain bike trail in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, with fantastic views of the Kāpiti Coast.

Two people walking up a grassy hill on the Link Track in Whareroa Farm.

Link Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveLink Track is the main uphill trail for walkers and mountain bikers at Whareroa Farm. It connects to many other tracks in the park.

Sheep graze in a field of grassy hills under a cloudy sky. Kapiti Island is barely visible on the horizon.

Cairn View Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCairn View Track is a quick uphill climb in Whareroa Farm, rewarding you with serious views over Kāpiti Coast and beyond.

A section of the Farm Race Track in Whereroa Farm. The trail is on a large gravel road through the centre of the farm.

Farm Race Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveFarm Race Track takes you to the centre of the Whareroa Farm trail network on the Kāpiti Coast.

Looking through trees and the view of the ocean and farmland from Forest Loop Walk in Kāpiti Coast.

Forest Loop

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveForest Loop is an easy walk or run through an ancient kohekohe forest with views over Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve and the coastline beyond.

A section of the Coastal Lookout Walk in Whareroa Farm on the Kāpiti Coast. The grassy hills give a view out to Kapiti Island.

Coastal Lookout Walk

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCoastal Lookout Walk is a half-kilometre walk to find views across the Kāpiti Coast and beyond.

Four cyclists stop to rest by a bush in the early morning sunlight on Red Take Track at Whareroa Farm.

Campbell’s Mill Road

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCampbell's Mill Road is an easy walk used to gain access to tracks in Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve and is the western entry into the Akatarawa Forest.

The Catchment View Track in Whareroa Farm, a grassy hill that climbs above the farm with views of the Kāpiti Coast.

Catchment View Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveCatchment View Track is a steep, rough and unmown track. It offers great views of the Kāpiti Coast from the top of Whareroa Farm.

Three people ride on horseback on a dirt road.

East Ridge Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveEast Ridge Track is a steep but easy climb to the top of Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve with rewarding ocean views. The trail is suitable for horse riders.

A narrow path along a grassy hillside under a cloudy sky.

Intake Valley Track

Whareroa Farm Recreation ReserveIntake Valley is a key connector track for walkers and mountain bikers in the middle of Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve.