Wellington THE KĀPITI COAST TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE ISLAND OFF ITS SHORE WHICH IS A TRANQUIL BIRD HAVEN. THE COASTAL TOWNS AND THOSE IN HOROWHENUA ALL HAVE THEIR OWN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER AND BEG TO BE EXPLORED FOR THEIR RICH HERITAGE AND RURAL CHARM.
HOROWHENUA & Kāpiti Coast STUNNING COAST
Kāpiti Coast © Johnny Hendrikus INSET: Wellington Night Market © PIVOT Photography
Levin is the main town in
Paekākāriki is close to the
Horowhenua and has wild beaches and bush plus farming and clothing industries. Visit Waitārere Beach for its surf and dunes and learn about the Hydrabad, lost off the coast in 1878. Take a walk in Papaitonga's sand dune lake reserve or see the morepork at Owlcatraz.
Akatārawa Forest Park, a blend of native and exotic flora and popular with quad and trail bikers. The Paekākāriki Steam Museum and the Tramway Museum are interesting.
Paraparaumu’s golf course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times and is considered the game’s spiritual home. See vintage vehicles at the Southward Car Museum. Catch a guided boat tour to Kāpiti Island and encounter rare takahē and kōkako.
Just 20 minutes north of Wellington,
Porirua has a reputation for energy, creativity and outdoor action. The city is a collection of villages, each with its own personality and attractions. Papakōwhai is home to the Royal New Zealand Police College Museum and the tranquil Aotea Lagoon. Nearby is the exciting Adrenalin Forest: aerial
obstacle courses of rope swings, flying foxes and other high-wire challenges.
trips to Mana Island, a conservation sanctuary, make a great day out.
Don’t miss the Pātaka Art + Museum, which showcases the best in contemporary Māori, Pacific Island, New Zealand and international arts and culture.
In the rural town of Ōtaki you'll find the Ōtaki Forks, one of the Kāpiti District’s best-kept secrets, a casual campground adjoining a truly magical stretch of river with deep swimming holes and rocks for jumping off.
Porirua is surrounded by twin harbours, hills, ocean and a rugged coastline with walks and cycle tracks. You can also kayak or sail up the Pāuatahanui Inlet. Mana and Plimmerton have excellent beaches. Scuba diving, fishing, and
Waikanae is home to Nga Manu Nature Reserve, an idyllic bird sanctuary where you can see New Zealand's rare brown kiwi, spot native geckos, get up close to the ancient tuatara and feed endangered long-fin eels.
ŌTAKI 74km N of Wellington on SH 1 OTAKI MOTEL
• 4 studio units (sleep 2-3), 1 x 2-brm unit (sleeps 4-6). • Air-conditioning, free WiFi, Sky Guest Select 50+ channels. • Ferry 50min. Near cafés, outlet stores, train, racecourse, park. • Tariff: $110 (single), $125 (2 persons), 2-brm unit $140 (2 persons), extra person $20. Peak rates may apply, RSA & senior discounts. 260 SH 1, Otaki • P: +64 6 364 8469 • Res: 0800 66 22 43 www.otakimotel.co.nz • E: info@otakimotel.co.nz
PARAPARAUMU scraps of food found in earth oven • 50km N of Wellington
KAPITI LINDALE MOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTRE IDEAL FERRY STOPOVER 3-7 Ventnor Dr, Paraparaumu P: +64 4 298 7933 E: book@kapitimotel.com
www.kapitimotel.com RES: 0800 168 1628
86
FREE
• 10 quiet, self-contained WIFI air-con units. • Conference facilities. Central with easy access to Kapiti Coast attractions including beaches and travel links to Wellington. • Park-like grounds offer outside seating. • Extensive on-site off-road parking forcars, buses, trucks, trailers & boats.
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY ZEALANDIA This enormous, protected valley is home to endangered birds, reptiles and insects. The guided tours and night tours are excellent and a free shuttle bus facilitates the sanctuary from the city’s i-SITE. WELLINGTON MUSEUM SHIP 'N’ CHIP TOUR Enjoy a guided museum tour followed by a fish 'n' chip lunch on-board the ferry to Matiu/Somes Island; a wild and rugged motu home to walks, wildlife and a lighthouse. WELLINGTON ZOO Learn about dozens of species alongside animal talks, feeding
times and The Nest Te Kōhanga: the zoo’s animal hospital and native wildlife centre. LORD OF THE RINGS Tolkien fans will love a tour of the city’s film locations. There are several companies offering a range of escorted walks and tours to locations where scenes from the movie trilogies were shot.
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