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.

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