Must see places to visit nearby

The Kapiti Coast has a number of seaside villages worth visiting. We’ve listed some of these must see places below:

Paekakariki – 20mins south

Paekakariki is a quirky small seaside village full of artists, writers, poets, actors & musicians. There are two cafes and hotel with garden bar and restaurant and a couple of interesting art galleries all within the village. There is also another funky retro design store which serves coffee on the beachfront.

Raumati Beach & Raumati South – 20 mins south

Two neighbouring villages both with cafes and art galleries. Raumati Beach village has an interesting collection of boutique shops. It is popular for designer fashion and has a good quality gift shop selling arts and crafts from the local creative community. The hanging baskets of flowering plants along Margaret Street, gives the village its special trademark.

If fishing is your passion, Raumati Beach has an active recreational fishing community. Its annual surf casting competition held late January draws entrants from afar.

Paraparaumu Beach – 15 mins south

The gateway to Kapiti Island, where visitors come to catch their boat to the world famous nature reserve.

Hungry or thirsty............ just across from the beach you can find everything you need. There is a great choice of restaurants and cafes. Nothing beats fish and chips on the beach followed by a Hokey Pokey ice cream.

The Village is a good place to buy local. It has its art galleries, specialty lingerie outlets as well as an array of quaint and quirky shops.

The Saturday Market is a morning affair and is a special community experience. It’s a great place to meet local people, local growers and local producers.

Paraparaumu is also famous for its golf course. Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club is regarded by many as one of the greatest links course in the southern hemisphere. Tiger Woods has played this course.

Coastlands – 10mins south

A shopping paradise on SHI with more than 70 stores ranging from supermarkets to specialty shops and a new 3D cinema is now open. Open 7 days with plenty of free parking.

Waikanae – 5 mins south

This is a proud gardening community, regularly featured in national magazines. They have a super garden trail which is held late January. The lovely long beach and pristine Waikanae River offer a range of walks. Where the river meets the sea you may meet local birdman, Mick Peryer, guiding visitors to spot the rich birdlife on the protected estuary.

Waikanae’s small township is situated on SH1 where there is a selection of shops and restaurants, cinema and art gallery.

Te Horo – 5 mins north

A small beach community with cafe & nursery up on SH1. Te Horo is home to the famous Ruth Pretty Cooking School.

Otaki – 10 mins north

Otaki Town houses Kapiti’s oldest community and has a wonderful Maori presence.

Otaki is the place for bargains. What was once a run in the mill functional stop to fill up the car or grab a quick bite and move on, has now become a shopper’s paradise and a must visit retail therapy destination. You have to check out the range of outlet stores offering quality clothing at bargain prices.