Makara Beach on Wellington's west coast has long been an attraction to Wellington residents. As early as 1865, residents pressured the government to construct a road through the area - "to open up a source of recreation and pleasure..... and the means of passing through some of the finest scenery in the province".

At present, only the coast and beach, the escarpment covenant and the Makara Walkway are accessible for recreation. These are open to the public year round, and are extremely popular on fine weekends. Some weekend days 500-1000 people visit the beach and Walkway.

The attraction seems to be the natural and open space 'to do your own thing', and the undeveloped feel of the area.

This natural character led to the 1975 government proposal to make the Makara Farm and Quartz Hill a Regional Reserve, and the subsequent efforts to improve public access to this unique place.