Elaine's Guidebook
Local adventures
Gorgeous golden waikanae beach, spectacular in all weathers. Sunset at low tide creates beautiful reflections of the sky in the wet sands. Walk south towards Waikanae estuary (navigating a stream which can be anything from toe to thigh deep - depending on tide!). Or north to pekapeka
34 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Waikanae Beach
Gorgeous golden waikanae beach, spectacular in all weathers. Sunset at low tide creates beautiful reflections of the sky in the wet sands. Walk south towards Waikanae estuary (navigating a stream which can be anything from toe to thigh deep - depending on tide!). Or north to pekapeka
Just ten minutes drive gets you to Nga manu bird santuary (kiwi house, kaka, kea etc) , gorgeous bush tracks and picnic spots.
65 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Nga Manu Nature Reserve
Just ten minutes drive gets you to Nga manu bird santuary (kiwi house, kaka, kea etc) , gorgeous bush tracks and picnic spots.
This is the latest addition to Te Araroa walking track (spanning between the most northern spot of NZ to the most southern. Spectacular views. 100s of steps up and down plus a swing bridge! Paekakariki Escarpment track is between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki - ideal to drive to the station car park at one end and catch a train ride back after your walk.
The escarpment is quite narrow and steep - Not for anyone nervous of heights !
59 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Escarpment Walkaway
State Highway 1This is the latest addition to Te Araroa walking track (spanning between the most northern spot of NZ to the most southern. Spectacular views. 100s of steps up and down plus a swing bridge! Paekakariki Escarpment track is between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki - ideal to drive to the station car park at one end and catch a train ride back after your walk.
The escarpment is quite narrow and steep - Not for anyone nervous of heights !
Bird lovers love Waikanae estuary - known as the bird capital of New Zealand! More than 60 bird species are resident, including banded dotterel, variable oystercatcher, pukeko, dabchick, white-fronted tern, caspian tern, pied stilt, scaup, brown teal, grey duck, royal spoonbills, shoveler and mallard.
Common to also see egrets & kotare.
10km walking tracks from the estuary mouth to Waikanae. (Plus a variety of bridges if you want a shorter walk!). Popular for walking, biking, picknicking and swimmers!
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve
Bird lovers love Waikanae estuary - known as the bird capital of New Zealand! More than 60 bird species are resident, including banded dotterel, variable oystercatcher, pukeko, dabchick, white-fronted tern, caspian tern, pied stilt, scaup, brown teal, grey duck, royal spoonbills, shoveler and mallard.
Common to also see egrets & kotare.
10km walking tracks from the estuary mouth to Waikanae. (Plus a variety of bridges if you want a shorter walk!). Popular for walking, biking, picknicking and swimmers!
Multiple gravel tracks weave throughout the QE Park up. You can head from Raumati to Paekakariki or choose a short wander. Great for bikes or walkers. Check out the Tramway Museum, WWII Marines displays, several wetlands and the kahikatea forest remnant.
Bikers head up to Whararoa for a decent range of mountain bike trails.
43 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
สวนราชินีเอลิซาเบธ
Multiple gravel tracks weave throughout the QE Park up. You can head from Raumati to Paekakariki or choose a short wander. Great for bikes or walkers. Check out the Tramway Museum, WWII Marines displays, several wetlands and the kahikatea forest remnant.
Bikers head up to Whararoa for a decent range of mountain bike trails.
Dedicated to restoring ex NZ Government Railways steam or diesel locomotives and rolling stock. Book a short or long range trip and take a ride on a piece of history. Destinations include: Waiouru, Woodville (via the Manawatu Gorge), or Feilding for craft markets.
8 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Steam Incorporated
219 State Hwy 1Dedicated to restoring ex NZ Government Railways steam or diesel locomotives and rolling stock. Book a short or long range trip and take a ride on a piece of history. Destinations include: Waiouru, Woodville (via the Manawatu Gorge), or Feilding for craft markets.
Whareroa Farm is a recreation reserve offering walking, picnicking, biking, and horse-riding, with links to the adjoining Akatarawa Forest and Queen Elizabeth Park across SH1
DOC works closely with the Whareroa Guardians Community Trust to manage the reserve.
Whareroa is a successful example of land being managed for conservation, recreation and farming.
From one hour ambles to overnight tramps.
10 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Whareroa Farm
Whareroa Farm is a recreation reserve offering walking, picnicking, biking, and horse-riding, with links to the adjoining Akatarawa Forest and Queen Elizabeth Park across SH1
DOC works closely with the Whareroa Guardians Community Trust to manage the reserve.
Whareroa is a successful example of land being managed for conservation, recreation and farming.
From one hour ambles to overnight tramps.
Head to the hills!
Great bush walks and epic views from 500m high. The Scenic Reserve holds the largest area of kohekohe forest left in New Zealand.
The Kohekohe bushwalk can be done in 30 minutes, while the Parata track leads to an awesome lookout with views overlooking the Kapiti Coast. Combine it with the Te Au Loop for a 3-hour hiking experience.
15 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Hemi Matenga Memorial Park
Head to the hills!
Great bush walks and epic views from 500m high. The Scenic Reserve holds the largest area of kohekohe forest left in New Zealand.
The Kohekohe bushwalk can be done in 30 minutes, while the Parata track leads to an awesome lookout with views overlooking the Kapiti Coast. Combine it with the Te Au Loop for a 3-hour hiking experience.
Food scene
Great lively vibe: indoor plus outdoor (sheltered from all weathers including under seat heaters in the garden) Delicious food and good range of wines and beers.
Don’t miss live music (often Sunday afternoon)
45 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Long Beach Cafe
40 Tutere StGreat lively vibe: indoor plus outdoor (sheltered from all weathers including under seat heaters in the garden) Delicious food and good range of wines and beers.
Don’t miss live music (often Sunday afternoon)
Pub with a difference. Popular both inside and outside seating.
26 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Salt and Wood Collective
11 Ngaio RdPub with a difference. Popular both inside and outside seating.
A wee gem in Te Horo. Popular with anyone in the know!
Quirky retro cafe set in a creative garden. Tasty morsels. Stunning coffee. Set in a much loved garden, with a multitude of funky seating areas. Perfect summer and winter.
11 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Bus Stop
55 Sims RdA wee gem in Te Horo. Popular with anyone in the know!
Quirky retro cafe set in a creative garden. Tasty morsels. Stunning coffee. Set in a much loved garden, with a multitude of funky seating areas. Perfect summer and winter.
A 15 minute drive away from surprising taste sensation (opposite sports fields so a tad hectic on saturdays). But on all other days delight in the best tasting delights for your health
8 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Tom Thumb Cafe
2C Donovan RdA 15 minute drive away from surprising taste sensation (opposite sports fields so a tad hectic on saturdays). But on all other days delight in the best tasting delights for your health
Tuatara brewery. Great food, vibe and of course the beers. Often live music or comedy. Well worth a visit.
28 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Tuatara Brewery
7 Sheffield StTuatara brewery. Great food, vibe and of course the beers. Often live music or comedy. Well worth a visit.
Consistently the best fish and chips ever experienced, fresh good quality fish (including blue cod) light crunchy batter / delicious crumb. Beautiful fresh oil. Generous quantity. Clean and fast. Highly recommend!
Cj's Seafood Waikanae
36 Main RdConsistently the best fish and chips ever experienced, fresh good quality fish (including blue cod) light crunchy batter / delicious crumb. Beautiful fresh oil. Generous quantity. Clean and fast. Highly recommend!
A total must. Even if you think you’re not into freshly baked pies and cakes - this place will change your mind. And then there are the coffees!! Takeaway to the beach or hang out in the little garden.
It’s just down the road on Ono St, deceptively hidden away - the popular crowds of locals give it away! Friendly fast and delicious.
34 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Olde Beach Bakery
3 Ono StA total must. Even if you think you’re not into freshly baked pies and cakes - this place will change your mind. And then there are the coffees!! Takeaway to the beach or hang out in the little garden.
It’s just down the road on Ono St, deceptively hidden away - the popular crowds of locals give it away! Friendly fast and delicious.
Lovely friendly staff, great food options including nice vegan options. Great vibe and aesthetic.
A great online service for catering and baking.
Joe & Joy Eatery (formerly known as Kiss and Bake Up)
11 Mahara PlaceLovely friendly staff, great food options including nice vegan options. Great vibe and aesthetic.
A great online service for catering and baking.
Entertainment
Our independent boutique cinema owned by a Kapiti local (Peter Avery) with a passion for film and hospitality.
Offers an eclectic mix of films that both inspire and entertain.
Great range of wines, delicious nibbles and of course coffees!
36 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Shoreline Cinema
10 Mahara PlaceOur independent boutique cinema owned by a Kapiti local (Peter Avery) with a passion for film and hospitality.
Offers an eclectic mix of films that both inspire and entertain.
Great range of wines, delicious nibbles and of course coffees!
Places to visit
Local public gallery for the Kāpiti Coast. Founded by artists and volunteers as a charitable trust in 1996.
A great balance of quality local and national content, works in partnership with local iwi and reflects the diversity of the Kāpiti arts community.
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Mahara Gallery
20 Mahara PlaceLocal public gallery for the Kāpiti Coast. Founded by artists and volunteers as a charitable trust in 1996.
A great balance of quality local and national content, works in partnership with local iwi and reflects the diversity of the Kāpiti arts community.
A local museum on Elizabeth Street in Waikanae. Displays and collections focus on the natural, social and cultural heritage of the Kapiti region.
Plus a collection of radios, telephones and historical telecommunication equipment as the museum is housed in the original 1907 Waikanae Post Office building recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Category 2).
Kapiti Coast Museum
9 Elizabeth StA local museum on Elizabeth Street in Waikanae. Displays and collections focus on the natural, social and cultural heritage of the Kapiti region.
Plus a collection of radios, telephones and historical telecommunication equipment as the museum is housed in the original 1907 Waikanae Post Office building recognised by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Category 2).
Saturday local community market on Park road 7am to 1pm. Great vege stalls, local foods, espresso plus a full range of bric a brac stands
Waikanae Market Gardens
154 Te Moana RdSaturday local community market on Park road 7am to 1pm. Great vege stalls, local foods, espresso plus a full range of bric a brac stands
Health & fitness
A popular local 33.5-metre outdoor heated swimming pool. Lane swimming plus hydro slide and barbecue. Sadly closed in winter months.
14 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Waikanae Swimming Pool
Ngarara RoadA popular local 33.5-metre outdoor heated swimming pool. Lane swimming plus hydro slide and barbecue. Sadly closed in winter months.
An 18 hole golf course just minutes away (Te Moana Road). Warmly welcomes both casual players and new members onto the course. A beautiful course that is enjoyable to play but still offers plenty of challenge for the keen golfer.
The Waikanae Golf Club has been the host to several National Events including qualifying for the New Zealand Open, the National Women’s Stroke Play and the National Women’s Under 19 Championships.
9 คนท้องถิ่นแนะนำ
Waikanae Golf Club
97 Te Moana RdAn 18 hole golf course just minutes away (Te Moana Road). Warmly welcomes both casual players and new members onto the course. A beautiful course that is enjoyable to play but still offers plenty of challenge for the keen golfer.
The Waikanae Golf Club has been the host to several National Events including qualifying for the New Zealand Open, the National Women’s Stroke Play and the National Women’s Under 19 Championships.
Waikanae Bowling Club
356 Te Moana RdKāpiti has an excellent network of cycling, walking and bridleway trails suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Get out and enjoy the scenery of the Kāpiti Coast.
Check out “Stride n Ride”
Kapiti Coastal Cycle Route
Kāpiti has an excellent network of cycling, walking and bridleway trails suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Get out and enjoy the scenery of the Kāpiti Coast.
Check out “Stride n Ride”