Here at Makara Peak Summit Viewing Deck prepare to be amazed. What was once gorse-covered farmland is now a world-class mountain bike park. It is also a haven for walkers and native wildlife.
Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park opened in 1998. Wellington City Council set aside 200 hectares for this purpose. It was in Karori southwest of Wellington. Now, it has grown to 250 hectares.
Volunteers have been crucial to Makara Peak’s success. They planted trees and removed pests. They also dug new tracks. By 2014, over 40 kilometers of hand-built single tracks existed. Over 35,000 native seedlings were planted. Pests like goats and possums were dramatically reduced. Volunteers maintain possum traps. They also maintain bait stations and mustelid traps. This allows new vegetation to flourish.
In 2024, Makara Peak received the Recreation Aotearoa Outstanding Park Award. This recognizes the park’s development. It also recognizes its outstanding natural environment.
The Makara Peak Supporters made a vow. They would plant at least one tree for every metre of new track. This offset the impact of bush clearance. Since the early days, supporters have planted many species. These include kahikatea, miro, matai and rimu. Also northern rata, tawa, kohekohe, and kamahi were planted to diversify the forest. When the park first opened, there were only three podocarps over four metres tall. Now there are 212.
Makara Peak offers over 45km of varied terrain. The world-class tracks offer stunning views. You can see Karori, central Wellington and the South Island on a clear day. The park is a pest-free haven. It provides an important habitat for native birds and wildlife.
Walkers are welcome on the trails. But Makara Peak is a bike-priority park. Walkers must give way to bikers.
The park is jointly managed. Wellington City Council and Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park Supporters Inc manage it together.
From the Makara Peak Summit Viewing Deck you get panoramic views. Once at the top of Makara Peak, you’re rewarded with stunning views. You can see across Wellington Harbour, Cook Strait, and the upper South Island. The trail network descends back down over a smorgasbord of trails. It offers many fun options, whatever your appetite. For a longer outing, you can link up your ride. Link to the Skyline walkway, Wright’s hill, Zealandia’s fence line, and Waimapihi reservoir.
So, take a moment to appreciate the views. Remember the hard work that has gone into creating this amazing space. It is a testament to community collaboration. It is also a dedication to preserving our natural environment.