Otaihanga, Waikanae Estuary, Kapiti, New Zealand
Otaihanga
Otaihanga on the Waikanae estuary is a great place to base yourself to explore the amazing Kapiti Coast, or just relax and take in the spectacular sunsets. Centrally located, so it is handily placed for you to explore the area, from Paekakariki in the south, northwards to the unlimited beaches of Waikanae and Otaki. (Only 40 minutes drive to Wellington city & Picton ferry terminal)
Local attractions include opportunities for bird-watching at the Waikanae Estuary, Ngai Manu Reserve, Whareroa/QE Park wetlands, and Kapiti Island bird sanctuary, or visit the tame eels at the Paekakariki stream. Take the 7km inland bike and walking paths from Poplar Av in Raumati South, (or stroll along the beach and the coastal walkways of Whareroa/QE Park), to Paekakariki and enjoy a coffee or meal at one of the local Cafes when you arrive. The Paekakariki Escarpment walkway is a short distance to the south and provides scenic views of Cook Strait, Kapiti Island and the gorgeous Kapiti coast - take the train to Pukerua Bay and walk back to Paekakariki. To the north the Kapiti Coast cycleway continues to Waikanae and Otaki. Other attractions can be found including the heritage Paekakariki Steam Train Museum, the Otaihanga Southwards Car Museum, the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve, and Kapiti Island bird sanctuary (ferry at Paraparaumu beach).
Gallery
There may be no better way to communicate than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments tocheck out our image gallery and get a feel for the Kapiti Coast
Kapiti Coast
Local attractions
Paraparaumu Beach is the local shopping center: it features restaurants, cafés, takeaways, shops and dairies; there is discount petrol, a Saturday Farmers Market (8.00 am – 12.00 noon), children’s play area, golf course, and boat club. The beach north of the small Wharemauku stream is the main launching area for recreational fishers and the Kapiti Island ferries. Spectacular red-flowering pohutukawa trees line the foreshore in summer (for some obscure reason, presumably based in colonial minded bureaucracy, the local Council regards these trees as "not indigenous to the area" and actively discourages planting of this species, despite evidence of at least one specimen (location withheld) being over 500 years old). Climate change means we should actively encourage species diversity planting to increase resilience.
Raumati Beach Marine Gardens is a children’s water playground, a wide range of play equipment, picnic area and a cafe on the beachfront. A miniature train on the bank above the playground features a double loop track just under 1km long. The train runs between 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm on Sundays and is $1.50 per ride. Waterfront Bar & Café opens 11.00 am everyday except public holidays.
The Paekakariki Escarpment Track (10 km) extends from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay Station. Park at Paekakariki station, walk the track to Pukerua Bay and catch a train back to your car (and the local cafés). The track begins 750 m south of Paekakariki, at the State Highway rail over-bridge. The less adventurous can take a 2.5 km walk from Paekakariki along the escarpment as far as the Ngā Uruora Lizard Protection and Habitat Restoration project in the former quarry (60 minutes return).
Based at Paekakariki, Steam Incorporated is devoted to the restoration, maintenance of steam and diesel locomotives together with a fleet of heritage carriages that are regularly operated on the main line. Usually open Monday to Saturday with the main work-days being Saturdays and Thursdays. At these times working members are busy restoring and maintaining railway equipment and machinery, and visitors are welcome to look around the site. Free car parking is available a short walk away at Paekakariki. Free admission.
* Don't forget to check out the Southwards Car Museum at Otaihanga and the Tram Museum at QE Park
Waikanae Estuary reserve protects a mosaic of freshwater lakelets, saltwater lagoons, marshes, tidal sand flats anda sandy beach spit at the mouth of the Waikanae River. More than 60 species of bird breed here, including banded dotterel, NZ dotterel, Australasian coot, pukeko, dabchick, fernbirds, and variable oystercatchers. Flocks of white-fronted terns, shags, and gulls roost on the beach while migratory birds such as godwits and knots occasionally visit. Royal spoonbills have nested on Kapiti Island since the early 1990s, and up to a dozen or more may be seen roosting a short distance up the river. Keen birdwatchers hiking along the spit can observe and photograph nesting dotterels, oystercatchers and terns, but be aware of self-opinionated dog owners who feel it is their "Right" to exercise pets off-leash in one of the countries few Scientific Reserves (The reserve was established through the visionary efforts of Sir Charles Flemming), however, we won't mention the whitebait, after all - harvesting endangered species of fish, within a Scientific Reserve, often for the purpose of commercial sale, is an activity "clean, green New Zealand" doesn't promote widely.
Whareroa Farm/Park is a 1000 hectare reserve linking the beach to the foothills of the Tararuas. (The Whareroa- Ramaroa area is rather unimaginatively known as QE Park, and is named after the late Queen Elizabeth II's mother, representing an embodiment of the British aristocracy’s role in maintaining colonialism and promoting the imperial order). Once a working farm local groups are now working to fully restore the native vegetation and wetlands - many areas are now flourishing regenerating forest after years of sheep grazing paddocks. Explore the numerous walking and mountain bike tracks or take the 90-minute walk or 35 minute bike ride (7 km) to the cafés at Paekakariki via the coastal walkway (Return on the train or via the sealed inland cycleway route). Also the site of the local tramways museum - weekends and public holidays take a ride on one of the the historic trams from the park HQ to the beach.
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve is a nature and wildlife reserve in Waikanae, approximately 16 km north of Paraparaumu via the Expressway or Old Main Road. In addition to offering a sanctuary for native birds and other animals, the 14 hectare reserve preserves the largest remnant of coastal lowland swamp forest on the Kapiti Coast. Nocturnal House with brown kiwi; native birds in walk-through aviaries (Kiwi Encounter: Thursday/Saturday nights $35). Watch or participate in feeding endangered long-fin eels; also native geckos and tuatara. 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily. Entrance $18 adult, child $8, seniors $10.
Kapiti Island is a predator-free bird sanctuary. Rare birds such as kākā, kōkako, takahē, and stitch bird (hihi) can be seen, as well as tui, weka, bellbirds, and wood pigeons (kereru) in abundance. Although promoted as a sanctuary for rare birds, the reality has been lost in time. The island was established as a bird sanctuary in the early 1900s in order to protect the "countless thousands of seabirds nesting on the northern cliffs". Sadly these seabird colonies no longer exist, and even the most ardent of birdwatchers will be hard-pressed to sight a single gannet on the 20 minute ferry ride across to the island. There are walking tracks through the dense forest and to the top of the 521 m peak for panoramic views. Access is by approved tour operators only. At the north end, walks maybe limited during summer due to Royal Spoonbill and seagull nesting along the coast. Ferries depart Paraparaumu Beach (5 km north) around 9.00 am. Bookings recommended, especially for the popular summer season.
If you’d like more information about other local attractions, get in touch today.
Passing through?
Kapiti, New Zealand
Kapiti is approximately 35/40 minutes by car to Wellington city and Picton Ferries via Transmission Gully, or take the scenic route via Paekakariki and the coast road (During morning 7-9am and evening 4-6pm commuter times add +10-20 minutes due to traffic congestion between Wellington CBD & Ngaraunga Gorge).
Anyway if you've read this far, send an email and drop by instead.
