Here are 5 fun things to do with your Friends and Family in Kapiti. 

1. Go to the Beach!

There’s never a better place to kick back and relax than the beach. There are a number of beautiful beaches along the Kapiti Coast, we have some of the nicest beaches in New Zealand. Each beach comes with its own attractions, and it’s worth visiting them all.

Raumati Beach

Raumati beach is lovely, there’s lots of driftwood that little ones can make huts out of, a stream with a bridge connecting the car park and road to the beach, and the beach itself is actually connected to Paraparaumu Beach, meaning you can walk along it until you reach Paraparaumu Beach or visa versa.

It’s right next to the Waterfront Bar & Kitchen restaurant. You can make a stop there before or after your beach trip. Raumati Beach is also surrounded by Marine Gardens, the Raumati Beach pool, the miniature railway, rose gardens and shops. The splash pad at the park is a little gem that the kids love, where they can wash off after a fun day at the beach!

Paraparaumu Beach

Paraparaumu Beach is very spacious, long and stretched out. The sand is a unique grey colour, which is something special.

The beach is very close to the Kapiti Boating Club where you can launch your boat. As well as this, there is a boat service to Kapiti Island from this club.

It is right next to a great playground, skating area and basketball hoop. There is a walking track that runs alongside the beach where many people like to walk, skate or ride their bike. The beach is also close to shops, restaurants and a Kapiti ice-cream shop, so you can enjoy yet another one of Kapiti famous attractions 🙂

Paekakariki Beach 

Paekakariki Beach is seemingly always crystal clear, beautiful to walk along on a sunny day, although a walk along the pathway right by the beach still has its appeal, even on a gloomy day. There is a path right next to the beach that runs along it where you can walk or cycle, where the view of the beach and water is still visible, even without going down onto the sand.

Te Horo Beach

Te Horo Beach is truly gorgeous, with safe to swim in waters and beautiful scenery all around. You can launch your boat at the beach to go fishing, or go for a long relaxing walk along the sand. The beach is also a popular kayaking and surfing destination.

Otaki Beach

Otaki Beach is a great beach for families and is patrolled by both volunteer and professional lifeguards, provided by the Otaki Surf Life Saving Club over Summer months.

Holes and rips are often common, and the beach can sometimes be a bit dangerous. It is important to note the dangers and assess the waters before proceeding to swim or surf in the water. This aside, Otaki Beach is a wonderful place to swim and walk along, and is also a popular fishing destination.

Pekapeka Beach

Pekapeka Beach is a gorgeous beach, with beautiful views, grassy sand dunes and soft white sand. The water is lovely and shallow making it great for little kids and less confident swimmers to safely swim in. The beach is often described as quiet and tranquil and is generally uncrowded.

Waikanae Beach

Waikanae Beach is a popular place to go swimming, kayaking, fishing and whitebaiting. Waikanae Beach connects to the Waikanae River, so you can always start your day with a walk along the beautiful awa as well. The water is nice and warm on this beach, due to its shallow depths, and is generally very safe to swim in.

2. Ride the Tramway

There is an awesome vintage tram located in Queen Elizabeth Park in Paraparaumu. Its open from 11 am until 4:30 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and most public holidays – so long as the weather is looking okay.

The tramway runs for 2 km from Queen Elizabeth Park to Whareroa Beach. The ride is smooth and the inside of the tram is very neat. The tram drivers behold an extensive historical knowledge and are lovely to talk to. Trams have been operating through the park since 1965.

The tickets for a tram ride cost $12 for an adult and $6 for a child over 5 years. This issues you unlimited tram rides to the beach and back for the whole day. You can, alternatively, pay half price for a one-way tram ride. The last tram ride begins at 4 pm.

With the school holidays coming up, the tramway museum will also be open on the 18th of April and the 25th of April from 11 am until 3 pm, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 4 pm.

Between 1935 and 1953, 28 “Fiducia” class single-saloon trams were built in Kilbirnie, following their prototype No.232, built in 1933. These trams had modern features not found in the earlier models. No.260 was the last tram to be built and put into service in a traditional street tramway system in New Zealand on December 19th, 1952 and is now held on display at the Museum.

As well as the tramway and museum, the park also has lovely scenery to offer and it overlooks the sea, making it the perfect place to go for a walk or bike ride.

For more information about the tramway and museum, visit https://www.wellingtontrams.org.nz/

3. Southward Car Museum

Southward Car Museum is located in Otaihanga, Paraparaumu. The museum is massive and the display of cars they have to offer will definitely blow you away, with over 400 vehicles from different eras, as well as 3 aircraft.  

The admission fees are $18 for an adult, $15 for NZ Gold Card, $5 for children aged 5-15 and $40 for a family pass.

The collection includes Marlene Dietrich’s Cadillac cabriolet, a 1915 Stutz Indianapolis race car, gull-winged Mercedes-Benz, a 1950 Cadillac “gangster special”, once owned by Mickey Cohen, and an 1895 Benz Velo, imported to New Zealand in 1900. This impressive collection of cars was started by Sir Len Southward and Lady Vera Southward, who began collecting cars in 1956. Southwards Car Museum was opened in December 1979.

As there is a very wide variety of automobiles on display, we recommend you make a day trip out of this attraction. The museum is a must-see.

The facilities are spotless and everything is very well laid out. There is a nice cafe and souvenir shop worth popping into as well.

4. Go for a bike ride

Kapiti has some great bike tracks, check out our Top Four Family Bike Rides: https://whatsonkapiti.nz/top-four-kapiti-bike-rides/

5. … Or a walk.

Kapiti is full of beautiful walks. Take a look at our Top 5 Favourite Walks: https://whatsonkapiti.nz/top-5-walks-kapiti/