Giving the public access to West Wind was always a key part of Meridian’s vision for the wind farm, and recreation areas were created in collaboration with the Mākara community via a recreation group and community liaison group.
It has walking and mountain biking tracks, and the old Post Office building, which has been converted into a viewing platform, creates a space where views of the coast and the wind farm can be enjoyed.
From here visitors can take a short walk to the People’s Turbine, one of the wind farm’s 62 turbines and the only one the public can access on the site. However, substantial views of the wind farm are available from most parts of the recreation area.
There are also two other walking tracks of various lengths and difficulty that offer fantastic views of the coastline and access to Mākara Beach from the recreation area.
Two mountain biking tracks, designed and constructed by Wellington mountain bikers Jonathan, Paul and Simon Kennett, provide some wonderful challenges for keen mountain bikers.
West Wind recreation area opening times
| Summer |
1 Oct – 31 Mar |
9am – 6pm |
| Winter |
1 Apr – 31 Jul |
9am – 4pm |
| Lambing |
1 Aug – 30 Sep |
Closed |
Public access to the recreation area is via Opau Road. Car parking is available for 60 cars. Please note that dogs are not allowed in the recreation area. Livestock may also be present in the recreation area.
Visitors should also be mindful of kiwi when visiting West Wind. The likelihood of our native birds being visible is increasing as more are released on Mākara Farm.
Opau loop track
The Opau loop track is closed until further notice due to the felling of trees deemed a risk in the area.
The felled trees will remain to provide food and shelter for native plantings that will grow up to replace the pine trees as part of Meridian’s Forever Forests programme. In the short term we’re working to re-route part of the Opau Bay loop track, and in the longer term we intend to create a bush walk in the replanted area.
