Kāpiti Coast
Two people sit in tall grass and admire a scenic vista with Kapiti Island in the background.

24 hours in the Kāpiti Coast

If you only have a day to spend in the Kāpiti Coast then you’ll need to get cracking. The sunny coast has a great selection of things to see, do, and eat. Most are a short drive or walk from each other. Here’s a starter pack for a day of fun.

Brunch by the beach

Relax into the easy, breezy beachside lifestyle with a fresh croissant at Olde Beach Bakery. Just north of Paraparaumu, this beloved bakery serves up superb coffee, French artisan pastries and classic Kiwi pies. Pull up a seat in their cosy courtyard or do as the locals do: dip in for a takeaway and head to the rolling sand dunes of nearby Waikanae Beach.

Two people sit at a table on a restaurant patio as a server delivers two dishes to their table.
An exterior seating area at Olde Beach Bakery in Waikanae. Three groups of people sit at tables enjoying coffee and pastries.
A family of eight sit and eat food on a picnic blanket under a shady spot on a sandy beach.
Two people walking along a wooden bridge.
Two people ride bicycles along a paved path surrounded by tall grass and trees.

One for the birds

After breakfast, drive ten minutes inland to the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. On your explorations of the 14 hectares of coastal swamp forest, make sure to visit the towering 400-year-old Kahikateas. The kahikatea is Aotearoa’s tallest indigenous tree and can grow up to 80m tall. There are plenty of native birds and reptiles around you and a special viewing centre to see kiwis.

Stroll the streets

Next, grab a bite to eat, and treat yourself to some shopping. The Paraparaumu township is the beating heart of the Kāpiti Coast. A fifteen-minute drive from the reserve, you’ll find plenty of artisan eateries and independent boutiques. Stroll through town and soak in the creative, laid-back vibes of this sunny town.

Six children jump off cement blocks on a sandy beach.

Get sand between your toes

Once you’ve eaten, it’s time for a relaxing walk in the sand. The beautiful Paraparaumu Beach township is about ten minutes by car from the town centre. The quiet and peaceful beach offers breathtaking views across Kapiti Island. The beach attracts sun seekers local and otherwise all year round. It’s ideal for swimming, picnics, walking, and fishing.

Classic Kiwi kai

Nothing is more Kiwi than a classic dinner of fish and chips on the beach. As your day of fun in the sun winds down and bellies start rumbling, drop into one of the many great takeaways the Coast has to offer. Order a few scoops and some delicious fresh fish, maybe a few oysters, and relax at one of the many picnic tables along the beach. Breathe the fresh sea air and admire the beauty of a Kāpiti Coast sunset. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

Two people enjoy fish and chips at Raumati Beach during Sunset.

Looking for more?

At start of items
Two people walk along Wellington's waterfront on a sunny winter day. The city centre is visible in the background.

Your guide to winter in Wellington

It’s cold? Well, the winter season in Wellington is hot. Rug up warm and head out the door to enjoy some huge music, sports, and food events.

The view of Wellington Harbour from Mount Victoria on a sunny day.

Your guide to cruise in Wellington

Wellington is the perfect cruise destination. As a compact and walkable city, it allows you to see and do a lot in one day. Here’s what you need to know when docking in Te Whanganui a Tara.

Two children climbing on a half-sphere climbing structure on a playground in Cobham Court, Porirua.

Twelve hours in Porirua

From dawn until dusk Porirua has you covered. Spending a day in the city will give you your fill of beautiful walking tracks, outdoor activities, and great food.

The patio at Golding's bar located in Te Aro in Wellington, with four tables, twelve stools and eight people sitting enjoying beer and pizza.

A long weekend in Wellington

How much hospitality, arts, culture, nature, and wildlife can you fit into three days? Come to Wellington to find out.

2 people airbrushing a large gorilla mask in the SFX area of the Wētā cave workshop tour.

Welly-would: A film buff’s guide to Wellington

Lights, camera, and action. With special effect tours, huge production studios, and boutique cinemas, get a taste of movie magic in Wellington.

A group of dancers in silver costumes are preforming on the street at CubaDupa.

Your guide to autumn in Wellington

The autumn leaves are numerous and so are the gigs, sports events, and festivals in Wellington. Head out into the crisp air and enjoy the buzz. 

Two people stroll along Oriental Bay Parade in Wellington holding hands on a sunny day.

Your guide to summer in Wellington

Visit an island, scream in a stadium, or indulge in ice cream. Here's how to enjoy some of Wellington's best summer days.

A drone shot of the runway at Wellington International Airport with a plane on the runway, a parking lot filled with cars located at Stewart Duff Drive, Rongotai with Hataitai, Evans Bay and Miramar seen in the background.

How to get to Wellington

Located in the middle of New Zealand, it’s easy to get to Wellington. By plane, train, car, or boat, here’s how you can cruise into the capital.

Two friends take a break from cycling in front of the colourful boatsheds at Oriental Bay in Wellington on a sunny day.

48 hours in Wellington

It’s compact and walkable, has a calendar full of events, and is stacked with great bars and restaurants. Wellington is the perfect weekend getaway.

Outside the Wellington Chocolate Factory, 2 people stand enjoying a coffee. A large black wall is to the left with the business name on it.

24 hours in Wellington

If you’ve only got a day in Wellington and want to get a feel of what the city is like – get ready for a whirlwind tour of tastes, sights, and sounds. If you don’t fit everything in, you can always come back for more.