6 Kāpiti Coast Adventures & Where to Treat Yourself Afterwards

Begin your day by following the gentle flow of the Ōtaki River Trail: a scenic pathway that threads between river flats, gliding past the wide sweep of the water and up toward views of the Tararua Ranges. An easy, accessible track suitable for the whole family, you’re also likely to encounter people exploring the route on bike or by horse.

After your walk, head to the main Ōtaki township and slip into the bright, lively Kōwhai Eatery to refuel. The team here serves beautiful brunch and lunch dishes, think whipped feta on ciabatta with pomegranate and hot honey, in a cute space that feels fresh and friendly. And if your legs still have some energy left in them, you can stroll around the shopping outlets that surround the cafe’s immediate vicinity.

You can dedicate an entire day to exploring Kapiti Island, one of New Zealand’s most important nature reserves. Hop on board with Kapiti Island Nature Tours and let the guides take you around this predator-free sanctuary, where native birdlife thrives and bush tracks run through ancient forest. The excursion delivers not only plenty of walking and beautiful scenery, but also full immersion in the form of wilderness, viewpoints, and the thrill of being in a protected haven.

Once you’re back on the mainland, in time for dinner, treat yourself at 50-50 on Paraparaumu Beach. This is a fine-dining restaurant where chef Helen Turnbull delivers an exquisite six- or nine-course menu with local ingredients, seasonal creativity, and a vibe you won’t forget in a hurry. A perfect reward for a day spent learning about New Zealand at its natural best.

The lush remnant bush of Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve presents you with 11 hectares of nīkau palms and kohekohe trees, with a short stair climb that rewards you with expansive views across the coast and of Kapiti Island. It’s a versatile spot, and you can link the track with the Bright Ridge Skyline track for optimum exploration, or take the shorter and easier loop option (which is wheelchair-friendly). To top it all off, you’ll come across a population of pīwakawaka, riroriro, tūī, korimako, and kererū, who deliver a tranquil soundtrack for your walk.

Afterwards, head to Sheffield Street in Paraparaumu, an unlikely foodie spot where you can grab sweet Dutch street food at Montfoort (poffertjes and stroopwafels, anyone?) and some rich brews at Dark Horse Coffee, the Kāpiti artisan roastery.

Located east of Waikanae, the Mangaone Walkway follows an old tramway corridor through gentle, shady bush and lush native forest, before opening up to sunny open meadows. Starting at the southern end of the walkway, entering Kaitawa Reserve, will present you with the most picturesque part of the trail, and you can explore a number of smaller trails taking you to the Waikanae River.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dive into a hearty, American-inspired meal at Salt and Wood BBQ. Bold, smoky BBQ flavours are the name of the game here, from smoked ribs to chunky burgers dripping with sauce. The perfect, post-walk protein fix.

The dramatic and spectacular Paekākāriki Escarpment Track, known for cliff-hanging trail sections and phenomenal views of the seaward escarpment and sea, is simply one of the best walks in the Wellington region. It’s suitable for all ages, but will challenge most, with around 1,200 steps, narrow pathways, and two swing bridges to navigate.

You can walk the track in either direction, starting at either Pukerua Bay train station or Paekākāriki train station. If you’reending your journey at Paekākāriki, you’ll find a selection of cafes to recharge at. Our top pick is Beach Road Deli, a bright, beach-oriented eatery serving bagels, cabinet treats, hearty sandwiches, fresh salads, pizza, sweet treats, and plenty more.

Bird watchers will love this one. The Waikanae Estuary is a vital native habitat corridor linking mountains, river, and sea. An easy 1.6 km boardwalk trail takes you on a gentle stroll past salt marsh, freshwater channels, and sand flats, with more than 60 species of birds, from oystercatchers and dabchicks to pūkeko, to discover, as well as both freshwater and marine fish.

Olde Beach Bakery, on nearby Waikanae Beach, is the ideal place to grab a delicious pastry to end the visit on a high note. The artisan pies here are among the best in the lower North Island, with bold flavours such as creamy mushroom and chicken curry. You can also tuck into one of their generously sized Turkish sandwiches, and it’d be rude not to try a cinnamon roll or a filled doughnut.