Catchment View Track

About the trail

Catchment View track takes you up along the farm ridgeline. It will get you puffing, but you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over the sea and hills of the Kāpiti Coast.

The track begins in the middle of the farm at the painted caravan. Find the entrance to the trail at the end of Intake Valley Track. Follow the steep ridgeline up to the Whareroa Farm south access, onto Campbell’s Mill Road. The track joins up with others in the reserve for a challenging 2-3 hour return loop walk from Whareroa Farm car park.

Getting there 

• The trail starts from the end of the Intake Valley Track at Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, in Paekākāriki.
• To get to Whareroa Farm, take the Mackays Crossing Exit to Queen Elizabeth Park off State Highway 1. The entrance is through the underpass to the east. Parking is available for cars and buses at the park entrance.
• There are regular train services from Wellington to the Kāpiti Coast. Timetables are available from Metlink.

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, as there is none available on the farm. The track can be muddy after rain.
• Toilets are available at the Whareroa Farm car park and at the top of Farm Race Track.
• If you are venturing further into nearby Akatarawa Forest Park, go with someone who has been before. Remember to take a GPS compass and map, as signage is limited and cell phone coverage is patchy over the hill.
• This reserve is a working farm, and some trails cross through paddocks with livestock. Be respectful, Leave gates as you find them, and don’t bring dogs.
• Whareroa Farm is a working farm and you may encounter livestock on the track. Some trails or areas may occasionally be closed for farming reasons.
• Logging trucks may use Campbell’s Mill Road so beware of machinery.
• For more tips and advice before heading out on Wellington’s trails check out our before you go section.