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Makara wind turbine walk, Wellington

Get up close to a wind turbine on this easy walk with stunning views.

The Makara West Winds farm has over 60 wind turbines on top of coastal hills. Best visited on a calm day (there's a reason this is the perfect spot for a wind farm!), you can do an easy 20-minute round-trip walk that takes you right up to a wind turbine. The walk goes through a pine forest and comes back along a gravel road closed to traffic.

Be sure to take a warm jacket, even in summer. You do need to drive to the start of this walk (about 20 minutes from Wellington City). From Karori, simply follow the signs for the West Wind Farm located at the end of Opau Road, Makara. There's plenty of car parking once you get there.

On a clear day, there are amazing views of the wind turbines, sea, surrounding farmland and hills. This is a working farm so leave your dog at home. Remember to close gates after you, stick to the tracks and only admire the sheep from a distance. Get more information