Roadside Views Over Twin Lakes
Marua Lookout is a short roadside stop for drivers heading between Wellington and the Wairarapa, on State Highway 2, before you reach the steep winding climb of the Remutaka Range. It is an easy place to stretch your legs with panoramic views across the striking twin Macaskill Lakes and surrounding forested hills.
Artificial Lakes Framed by Native Bush
From the wooden lookout platform, you get a wide-angle view over the Macaskill Lakes, two side-by-side artificial reservoirs. Their distinctive parallel shape and blue-green water stand out against the steep bush-covered hills, especially in morning light when reflections are clearest.
The surrounding slopes are thick with regenerating native forest, including rimu, beech, and podocarps, with tall tree ferns under the canopy. High rainfall and steep terrain encourage dense vegetation and fast regrowth.
Short Walk with Big Views
The walk from the roadside car park to the lookout takes about five minutes each way along a gently graded and well-maintained gravel track. It’s suitable for all, making it an easy detour for families or anyone needing a scenic break on the Remutaka crossing. Photography is popular here, with wide views across the lakes and hills. The soft, angled morning light is best for capturing the forest’s textures and the calm reflections on the water.
While the lookout isn’t a destination for long walks, it functions well as a brief scenic stop. Most people spend around 10 to 15 minutes at the site before continuing their journey.
From Hydroelectric History to Scenic Stop
The Macaskill Lakes were constructed in the mid-20th century as part of the Kaitoke water catchment project. These twin reservoirs serve as water storage and flow regulation for the scheme. Building the reservoirs required significant engineering due to the steep terrain and thick forest cover — a reflection of the region’s rugged topography.
The lakes were named after the Macaskill family, who had longstanding ties to the area. The lookout was later established to provide public access to this striking landscape and the hydro scheme’s features, blending natural and engineered elements into a single vista.
How to Get There
Marua Lookout is located on State Highway 2, roughly 8 kilometres south of the Remutaka Hill summit when driving from Wellington. The drive from Wellington takes around 45 minutes. From Upper Hutt, the lookout is approximately 25 minutes away by car.
Nearby places to visit include Kaitoke Regional Park, Remutaka Rail Trail, Featherston and Martinborough.
