5 glorious destinations on the Kāpiti Coast - summer 2021

The Kāpiti Coast is less than an hour north of Wellington, and is a tranquil spot with gorgeous beaches, nature reserves, and plenty of native wildlife. For those of us longing for an escape from city life, Kāpiti is an idyllic place to spend a relaxing few days in nature.

If you’re exploring the Kāpiti Coast this summer, here are our top five destinations and outdoor activities to get you started – plus the best places to stay if you’re traveling in a motorhome or tent.

Paraparaumu

Paraparaumu is the main town in the Kāpiti Coast, and the departure point for ferry trips to Kāpiti Island. It has plenty of gourmet food producers, including cheeses, ice creams, honey and olives - and, of course, Tuatara Brewery, which you can book for a beer tasting.

You can camp on a range of private properties or at the Paekākāriki Holiday Park.

Kāpiti Island

For any nature lover, a trip to the Kāpiti Coast isn’t complete without a visit to Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve. A peaceful and accessible bird sanctuary, Kāpiti Island is home to rare native birds including Kākā, Kōkako, Kiwi, Takahē and Hihi.

There are a range of tracks available, including easy walks through the dense forest or the track to the 520 metre peak of the island. Access to Kāpiti Island is exclusive to approved tour operators, and only 160 people are permitted to visit each day. You can book ferry trips, guided tours, and overnight Kiwi spotting tours here.

If you’d love to do some bird watching and walking but aren’t visiting Kāpiti Island, check out Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Waikanae.

Visit the Kāpiti Coast beaches

The Kāpiti Coast has 40 kilometres of stunning beaches, a number of which are secluded and serene, and all glorious at sunset. Here are a few of our favourites…

Pukerua Bay

Pukerua Bay is a dramatic beach with soft sand on the northern end and stones, driftwood, and an archway through the rock at the southern end. The bay is off the main highway north and can be reached from Pukerua Beach Road, or from the parking area toward Paekakariki. You can stay on private properties by Pukerua Beach with Campable.

Paekākāriki

Paekākāriki is a long, sweeping beach with magnificent views of Kāpiti Island and the South Island. Some days it’s calm, while others it’s a touch wild, perfect for surfing and boogie boarding. Nearby is Paekākāriki village, which has cafes, a museum, an artist co-op and a second hand bookshop. You can camp nearby at the Paekākāriki Holiday Park.

Peka Peka beach

Peka Peka is one of the loveliest beaches on the Kāpiti Coast, with a long sandy bay, direct views of Kāpiti Island, turquoise water, and surrounding sand dunes. It’s often deserted, as Peka Peka is the smallest of Kāpiti's seaside towns. Perfect for relaxing or gentle surfing, and you can stay in your motorhome right by the beach.

Paekākāriki Escarpment Track

The Paekākāriki Escarpment Track is a 9.1km walking track that runs high above the Kāpiti Coastline, between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay. The walk has stunning views of the coast and Kāpiti Island.

The entire track takes between three and four hours to complete, beginning along the Kāpiti railway line then climbing 220 metres (including around 1,200 steps!) above sea level. The track is steep and narrow in places, including portions across ridgelines and two swing bridges. If you don’t feel up for the walk, you can drive up the road to a viewpoint on top of the hill.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park is a large area of sand dunes and wetlands along the coast. There are plenty of easy tracks for cycling, walking, and horse riding, as well as safe beaches for swimming and kayaking. Picnicking here is a must do, and keep an eye out for native birds as you wander!

One standout cycling track is the portion of the Te Ara o Whareroa track that runs through the park between Paekākāriki and Raumati South, and you can see a full range of track options in the map.

Within the park there’s also the Tram Museum, horse stables, and a memorial for the US Marine Corps, which used Queen Elizabeth Park as a base during the Second World War.

Book your Kāpiti Coast accommodation with Campable

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