Mākara Beach

Can you imagine a beach that was once bulldozed? Mākara Beach, a beautiful stretch of coastline on the western edge of Wellington, has a fascinating past. It is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike, with its stunning views of the Tasman Sea, rocky cliffs, and the nearby Kapiti Island. The beach has been a popular fishing spot for generations. In the 19th and 20th centuries, local fishermen used solid clinker-built dinghies to catch their catch. Leopold Haupois was one of these fishermen. He was known as French Louis and had arrived from Normandy in France in 1875. The area has also been impacted by the turbulent history of New Zealand. During World War II, the New Zealand government built gun emplacements at Fort Opau, located within a small foreshore reserve of sand dunes. The government built these defenses because they feared an invasion by the Japanese. Unfortunately, for that purpose, they bulldozed the sand dunes thinking they could be hiding places for an invading army! This damaged the native ecosystem that was found there. Today, local groups are dedicated to restoring it. Nowadays, the beach is still a popular spot for fishing and diving. It is also a designated off-lead dog exercise area. You can walk along the coast from Mākāra Beach, through farmland, up to the historical gun emplacements. The path is managed by the Department of Conservation and is 7km long. You can also take a two-hour coastal walk to Boom Rock, if you cross the Mākara Stream. As you stand here on Mākāra Beach, surrounded by the beauty of the natural landscape, you can imagine the stories that have unfolded here over the years. The past is alive and well today in the beautiful place we’re standing.