If you are visiting New Zealand soon or you may already be here and want to discover something unique then I think a quick stopover in the Kapiti Region is definately worth your time.
The great benefit of the Kapiti Region is that it is on the main Highway between Auckland, Taupo and Wellington. Access by road, rail and bus is very easy.
Kapiti Coast from Paekakariki Hill
In such a small place it's not often one will find an Internationally significant Nature Reserve, a Marine Reserve, an Estuary Scientific Reserve a Forest Park with a nationally significant 3 day tramp, lots of easy walks, 40Kms of unspoilt beaches, great food, Boutique Beer Breweries, the largest Motor Museum in the Southern Hemisphere, should be enough to keep you busy for a day or two, don't you think.
Otaki Beach, Kapiti Coast
Waikanae River Estuary
Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve is connected to the Kapiti Marine Reserve and to Kapiti Island Nature Reserve, providing a rare sequence of protection for animals which move between sea, river and land habitats.
This nationally-significant reserve protects a natural mosaic of freshwater lakelets, saltwater lagoons and marshes, tidal sand flats and sandy beach at the mouth of the Waikanae River.
Kapiti Marine Reserve
Kapiti Marine Reserve—
The fourth marine reserve established in New Zealand—was implemented in 1992 to protect nationally significant recreation, education, ecological and scientific resources, including some of the finest underwater scenery in the Wellington region.
Paraparaumu Beach
Kapiti Island Nature Reserve -
Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand's oldest and most important nature reserves. It is 1900 hectares of preditor free paradise 10km long by 2km wide and 5km from Paraparaumu Beach.
Get up close and personal with rare birds such as kākā, kōkako, takahē and hihi. Wander tracks fringed with dense forest or climb the 521 m peak for panoramic views.
Tararua Forest Park
Tararua Forest Park -
At 116,535 ha it is the largest conservation park managed by DOC in the North Island.
