Activities galore - fishing, boating, hiking, or just relaxing...
Just so many choices - definitely something for everyone!
Being centrally located makes the Kapiti Coast a great base for visitors to the region. It is an exciting vacation destination that provides a varied range of attractions and activities; whether it be swimming, boating or fishing in the local area. From walks through the bush and along the breathtaking coastline to relaxing and sampling wine at the region's world-class wineries, there is something to interest everyone.
Popular Kapiti Coast Vacation Attractions
With plenty of wonderful cafes and restaurants nearby you are spoilt for choice. Shop at the local markets. Visit Lindale. See a movie, play golf, enjoy the vintage cars and planes at Southwards Car Museum. Go horse riding, visit antique and craft shops, wineries and potteries. It is all here for you!
To get you started we have put together a list of popular activities and attractions:
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Dining OutKapiti Coast restaurants offer a delicious range of food, with choices of fine dining, family dining, buffet-style food or takeaway services. Dine out in a Kapiti Coast restaurant serving traditional Kiwi food, or international cuisine such as Thai, Indian or Italian. |
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Kapiti Island Nature ReserveKapiti is one of New Zealand’s most valuable nature reserves, and it is the only large island sanctuary for birds between the Hauraki Gulf in the north and New Zealand’s southern outlying islands. It provides an opportunity for people to observe birds that are either very rare or absent from the mainland, and to see the recovery of vegetation after intensive modification during last century. |
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Nga Manu Nature ReserveNga Manu Nature Reserve offers the unique opportunity to have a hands on experience related to the natural history. The reserve offers the opportunity to see a diverse range of native flora and fauna while gaining an understanding of conservation and preservation. |
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Kapiti Bird ToursThe Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve is home to over 63 species of birds. Many of these can be seen in their natural and native habitats during a bird tour with Mik Peryer. Stroll along the sand spit / riverbank and enjoy the magnificent scenery while observing the current residents which may include Caspian Terns, Royalspoonbills, Shags, Dabchicks, Scaup, Herons, Shovelers, Pukeko and many more species of birds who reside in the Estuary. |
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Kapiti Region ToursThe Kapiti Coast, Wellington, enjoys a warm climate and relaxed lifestyle and offers visitors a wide range of tours including eco, nature and wildlife tours, food tours, garden tours, helicopter tours, scenic tours, small group tours, train tours and wine tours. |
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Paraparaumu Golf CourseRegarded by many as one of the greatest links course in the southern hemisphere, Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club is a world renowned layout on the undulating dune land of the Kapiti Coast. Located just 45 minutes drive from Wellington, the course has hosted the New Zealand Open 12 times. A record unsurpassed by any other course. In 2002 it hosted Tiger Woods. |
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Waikanae Golf CourseLocated less than a kilometre from Kefalonia Luxury Retreat, towards the beach. The 18 hole golf course is a beautiful venue that is enjoyable to play but still offers plenty of challenges for the keen golfer, whilst providing social and golfing facilities for the casual player as well. |
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Kapiti 4x4 AdventuresNow Closed Permanently |
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Tramway Museum at Queen Elizabeth ParkAn interesting and rewarding experience for people of all ages. Using real old Wellington trams, you can take a return ride of nearly four kilometres through the Wellington Region’s premier coastal park - through the coastal dunes and with views of Kapiti Island. The trams date from the 1920’s and 1930’s and were used in Wellington city until closure of the last tram routes in the early and mid 1960’s. |
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Shona Moller Art GalleryNew Zealand artist Shona Moller has her gallery opposite Te Papa in Wellington and her studio on the beach front at Paraparaumu Beach, Kapiti Coast. The studio also has a small art gallery which is open to the public. |
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Mahara GalleryMahara Gallery is the district public gallery for the Kapiti Coast. It offers a diversity of curated group and solo exhibitions in contemporary art and cultural heritage. |
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HeliworxHeliworx can take you, your new love, wife or partner to a real treat they won’t forget. Get dropped off in an isolated part of the wilderness with a bottle of Champers or wine and a deluxe packed lunch. They then come back and pick you both up at a prearranged time. Please Note: By arrangement, guests may arrive or depart via helicopter landing directly on the Kefalonia Luxury Retreat lawn. |
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Southward Car MuseumThe world renowned Southward Car Museum houses the southern hemisphere's largest private car collection and is home to over 400 automobiles and various other exhibits including aircraft, bicycles, a range of vintage tools and other automobile memorabilia and even a vintage Fire Engine. The collection includes many famous makes and models of classic and vintage cars. Among the most popular are Marlene Dietrich's 1934 Cadillac Town Cabriolet, a 1915 Stutz Indianapolis race car, a gull-winged Mercedes-Benz, a 1950 Cadillac "Gangster Special" that had belonged to gansgter Mickey Cohen and an 1895 Benz Velo imported to New Zealand in 1900. |
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GlidingWellington Gliding Club now operates out of the Wairarapa and offers a wide variety of gliding activities for people of all ages. |
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Kapiti LandsailingLandsailing Kapiti will familiarise you with what you need to know to take command in their own single seater New Zealand designed land yacht. Westerly winds propel you along the Waikanae Beach at low tide with a sense of freedom and speed. Experience the joy of sailing but without getting wet, accelerate through your skill in harnessing the winds to reach speeds akin to an Americas Cup catamaran. Please Note: Weather and tide dependent. |