Kapiti Coast, from Otaki in the north to Paekakariki in the south, is the northern gateway to Wellington and enjoys a reputation as the recreational playground of the lower North Island.
Kapiti Coast is famous for its safe beaches and surf, gardens and Kapiti Island’s wildlife sanctuary.
From horse trekking, abseiling and museums to Kapiti Island tours Kapiti has an abundance of sights to see and activities to keep all ages entertained.

Coastlands
A shopping paradise on SH 1 of more than 70 stores ranging from supermarkets and cinema to specialty shops. Open 7 days with plenty of free parking.

Glow Golf
Ultra violet mini putt. Open weekdays from 1pm, weekends and school holidays from 10am. Te Roto Dr, phone 298 7874.

Kapiti Cheeses
Based at Lindale and producing delicious classics such as cheddar, havarti and brié, plus original NZ cheeses. Visitors may sample and purchase their own cheeseboard selections. Open daily 9am - 5pm.

Kapiti Fourx4 Adventure
Maungakotukutuku Rd Para-paraumu. Quad bikes, mud, rugged tracks, native bush, an adventure experience for all ages, anything from an hour to overnight. Full tuition, gumboots, waterproof clothing and helmets provided.
Phone 299 0020 (bookings essential).

Kapiti Island
A wildlife sanctuary 6.5kms off the coast. Discover rare birds and enjoy spectacular fauna and flora. Permits to visit the island can be obtained from DOC and visitor information centres. There are also regular authorised boat trips.

Lindale Centre
The great outdoor experience, open daily 9am - 5pm. Candy and cheese factories, specialist shops. Activities include a farm show. A wine bar and bistro and farm kitchen offer refreshments from breakfast to dinner.

Mangaone Track
Beginning at the northern entrance at Te Horo this 3 hour walk features beautiful farm, bush and river scenery through the Reikorangi Valley. An easy walk suitable for most ages and fitness levels. Access and conditions enquiries to DOC, phone 296 1112.

Nga Manu Nature Reserve
Off SH 1 Waikanae. Open daily 10am - 5pm, featuring native flora and fauna in a 15ha bush and wetland reserve with an active breeding programme. Picnic, roam the bush trails, visit the kiwi house.

Nyco Chocolates
Chocolate lovers can see – and sample – specialty chocolates made on the premises. Cnr SH 1 and Raumati Rd, phone 299 8098.

Otaki
A variety of factory outlet shops along the Otaki State Highway.

Our Lady of Lourdes
At the top of a walking track from Tongariro St Paraparaumu is the Shrine of Our Lady, a 16m monument erected in 1958.

Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
One of the world’s top 100 courses, featuring many major tournaments including the NZ Open. All golfers are welcome as green fee players, bookings essential,
phone 902 8200.

Prenzel Distillery
Visit the distillery and tasting room at 5 Lorien Ct, cnr SH 1 and Raumati Rd. Tastings for individuals or groups, phone 902 9559.

Pukekaraka Catholic Mission
Convent Rd Otaki. Founded in 1844 by the early French Fathers, this is one of the few marae in the country that is not associated with any particular tribe and therefore open to everyone. There are two meeting houses and a small cemetery containing graves of early missionaries.

Rangiatea Church
Te Rauparaha St Otaki. Originally built in 1851 under the leadership of Chief Te Rauparaha and the Anglican missionary Octavius Hadfield. Destroyed by fire in 1995, at the time the oldest surviving Maori church in NZ. Rangiatea has indeed “risen from the ashes, to stand once again in all its glory, a symbol of faith and cooperation”.

Steam Incorporated
Paekakariki, SH 1. Restored steam locomotives on display, open weekends for inspection. Engines fired up and steam train rides for the public as advertised locally.

Waikanae Estuary Bird Tours
For more species of coastal and aquatic birds visit Waikanae Estuary. Stroll along the sand spit/river bank and enjoy the magnificient scenery and a variety of water fowl that inhabit this wonderful area.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Kapiti offers abundant opportunities for surfing, canoeing, sailing, hunting, diving, tramping, orienteering, bowls, tennis, golf and more.

Airport
Paraparaumu Airport provides a variety of recreational aviation, charters, sightseeing, training, gliding, and helicopter charter and sightseeing. Phone 902 6536.

Beaches
Scenic beaches on the coast offer safe swimming and are good for flounder and shellfish, whitebait in season. Surf lifesaving clubs at Paekakariki and Otaki in summer.

BMX Track
Te Atiawa Park Donovan Rd Paraparaumu Beach.

Golf Clubs
The golfer is well catered for on the Kapiti Coast with top courses at the Kapiti, Otaki, Paraparaumu and Waikanae Golf Clubs.

Mini Golf
2 Stroke Mini Golf at Coastlands, family fun.
For seasonal opening hours phone 902 7876.

Skateboarding
Skate parks at Waikanae Park, Maclean Park Paraparaumu Beach and Otaki.

Swimming Pools
Raumati Beach has a heated, covered complex, open all year, phone 904 5787. At Ngarara Rd Waikanae there are learners’, toddlers’ and heated outdoor main pools and a 50m hydroslide in a park like setting with barbecue facilities, phone 904 5789.
Haruatai Park, Mill Rd Otaki, covered, heated pool and toddlers’ pool, open all year, phone 364 5542.

Tennis Courts
Te Atiawa Courts, Percival Rd Paraparaumu Beach; Raumati South, Tennis Court Rd; Waikanae, Pehi Kupe St next to Memorial Hall; Waikanae Beach, Tutere St; Otaki, Haruatai Park, Mill Rd; Otaki College, Mill Rd.

Tramping
Otaki Forks offers a variety of family walks, tramps, picnic areas and wilderness camping facilities. Maps of Tararua Forest Park, hut and camping tickets and information are available from the caretaker, Department of Conservation, Otaki Forks, phone 0-6-364 4311 and the Kapiti Coast Visitor Information Centre Otaki,
phone 0-6-364 7620.

Underwater Clubrooms
North End, Kapiti Boating Club. Visiting divers welcome. Open Sunday afternoons during the diving season. Phone 298 7024.

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

A variety of galleries and museums create an atmosphere rich in arts, culture and history.

Manakau:
Kirkwood Arts and Crafts. Ohau: Otarere Maori Craft. Otaki: Choices Arts and Crafts Coop, ZambARTa Studio. Paekakariki: One Eye Art Gallery. Paraparaumu: Artbeat, Art Attack, John Holden’s Gallery, Lindale Art Gallery. Raumati: Frameworks, Gallery Rosetta, Kapiti Arts and Crafts Society, Lush Gallery, McGregor Wright Gallery.

Waikanae:
Mahara Gallery, Reikorangi Pottery, Susie Mills Gallery.
Hyde Park Museum & Craft Village
SH 1 Te Horo. Contains many pioneer artefacts. Open 6 days 10am - 4pm. Admisson free. Parties by arrangement.

Kapiti Coast Museum
In Waikanae’s oldest public building, the former Post Office in Elizabeth St. Historical material in addition to a unique collection of historical communications equipment and artefacts. In addition, an amateur radio station (ZL6KCM) is located at the museum. Open weekends and public holidays 2 - 4pm, groups and schools at any time by arrangement phone Harold Macdonald 904 2865.

Museum of Aviation
Next to the airport control tower Kapiti Rd Paraparaumu. A collection point for the preservation and display of all historical matters associated with aviation. Open Saturday, Sunday, public holidays 2 - 4pm. Contact Jean Macdonald 299 4660. Groups by arrangement.

Paekakariki Rail & Heritage Museum
Displays relate to European settlement, the history of rail in the area and the encampment of 30,000 US marines during WW2. Located at Paekakariki Railway Station, open 11am - 3pm weekends and public holidays. For special viewings phone 905 7207 or 905 8079.

Southward Museum/Theatre
Otaihanga Rd 2kms north of Paraparaumu on SH 1. Open 9am - 4.30pm daily. The museum displays one of the largest and most fascinating collections of privately owned vintage cars in the southern hemisphere. Landscaped gardens and lake, bush walk, restaurant. Regular theatre performances (see local papers), conference facilities.

Tramway Museum
Queen Elizabeth Recreational Reserve just north of Paekakariki. Vintage tram service from McKay’s Crossing entrance on SH 1, travelling 1.85kms to Whareroa Beach and playground area. Open 11am - 4.30pm weekends and public holidays. Midweek operations by arrangement, phone 292 8361.

PARKS & RESERVES

Edgewater Park
Adjacent to Waikanae River with access off Fleetwood Gr. Swimming, picnic, barbecue, toilets.

Gardens
There are beautiful gardens open to the public – you can find roses, lavender, Chatham Island forget-me-nots, fuschias, begonias and natives, to name a few. Brochures are available from the Kapiti Coast Visitor Information Centre Otaki phone 0-6-364 7620.

Haruatai Park
Mill Rd, Otaki. Large play area for children, picnic and barbecue areas, toilets, tennis and squash courts. Heated and covered swimming pool, toddlers’ learner pool.

Kaitawa Reserve
Kaitawa Cres, Paraparaumu. Scenic reserve, playground.

Manakau
Waikawa Beach and Reserve, Manakau North Rd, birdlife, picnic and barbecue areas.

Tararua Forest Park, Manakau North Rd.

Otaihanga Domain
Makora Rd, Otaihanga. Picnic and barbecue area, toilets, small boat hire (summer holidays). Footbridge across the Waikanae River.

Otaki Beach Reserve
Marine Pde. Family amenities, boat ramp.

Queen Elizabeth Park
Wellington Rd/McKays Crossing on SH 1 Paekakariki. Tramway Museum, tram rides, picnic areas, beach access, walkways, cycle tracks, horse riding, adventure, playground, camping, public facilities, Memorial Gates where US Marines camped during WW2.
The Esplanade Raumati South. 20 minutes walking track from the car park into the park and leading to the stream at McKay’s Crossing.

Waikanae Park
Ngarara Rd. Heated swimming pool, skateboard ramp.

Waikanae Rivermouth Wildlife Reserve
Access from Hadfield Pl north end of Manly St Paraparaumu Beach. Worth a visit at low tide to view bird life. Short walking tracks and whitebaiting in season.

Waimanu Marina & Lagoon
Waikanae Beach, end of Tutere St; walking tracks around lagoon.

Waimeha Lagoon Wildlife Reserve
Waimea Rd, Waikanae Beach. Water fowl are being encouraged to live and breed within the reserve and a NZ Forest and Bird Society ‘hide’ affords good viewing.

PLAYGROUNDS

Marine Gardens
Adjacent to the Raumati swimming pool. Try the ride on train, adventure playground, picnic area, rose garden and paddling pool.

Matthews Park
Menin Rd Raumati. Adventure fort, slides, swings.

Maclean Park
Paraparaumu Beach. Children’s playground, barbecue area, skateboard ramp, boat ramp.

Queen’s Road Waikanae
Children’s playground and access to lagoon, board walks, bird hide and barbecue area.

Tasman Road Otaki
Close to beach, slides, swings, picnic area, adventure fort.

Te Atiawa Park
Donovan Rd Paraparaumu. BMX track, adventure playground.
Playing fields and tennis courts adjacent. For further information and bookings, call into the Visitor Information Centres at Coastlands, Waikanae DOC at Waikanae.