Hidden gems of Kāpiti
Relax and take in our spectacular landscape.
Get active outdoors.
Shop in one of the friendly coastal villages or go for a rejuvenating walk on one of the seven beaches along the Kāpiti Coast. Discover some of the best hidden gems for you to explore.
Bus Stop Cafe
55 Sims Rd, Te Horo Beach
A unique indoor, outdoor café, located off the beaten track in Te Horo, proving people will go anywhere for good food. A must visit in this coastal town, filled with homemade treats, rustic dishes and great coffee.
Kaitawa Reserve
The reserve is made up of a mix of open space and remnant planting- over 43,000 native trees, shrubs, flaxes and grasses have been planted since 1996 by Kāpiti Mana Forest & Bird and the Friends of Kaitawa Reserve.
A brand new outdoor classroom completes the reserve and allows visitors to learn about their surroundings.
Nikau Reserve
Otaihanga, Paraparaumu
Home to native birds including Fantail, Grey Warbler, Tui, Bellbird and Kereru, the 11 hectare Barry Hadfield Nikau Reserve is an important link in a chain of forest between the Tararua Ranges and Kāpiti Island.
Just half an hour on the easy loop. Incredible views from the lookout over Kāpiti and the coast north where you can see Mt Taranaki on clear days.
Olde Beach Bakery
3 Ono St, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae
Olde Beach Bakery is the first bakery in Waikanae Beach, and little sister to Long Beach Tavern.
A casual, cheerful, friendly and beautified corner of Waikanae Beach, where people of all walks of life enjoy the delicious baked goods as well as the garden and seating area. The open kitchen design provides customers the opportunity to see the processes involved in creating world class baked goods and this also helps promote dialogue between our bakers and our community.
Olde Beach Bakery offers the best cheese scones, traditional French breads and pastries, delicious handmade pies, as well as milkshake syrups made from scratch.
Peka Peka Beach
Peka Peka Road, Peka Peka
Peka Peka may be the smallest of the seaside towns, but the beach is one of the most beautiful! This stunning wide beach has an unaffected view of Kāpiti Island and has the protection of sand dunes.
Secluded and tranquil, it is a great spot to sit and relax or go for a gentle surf, while the busy world behind the dunes continues on without you.
Shopping
With so many options available, and the idyllic coastal setting, exploring the stores on offer is a great reason to visit for the day.
The Kāpiti Coast has boutique, retail and outlet shopping to suit all styles and budgets. Whether you want to explore local boutiques in each village, visit the big retailers at Coastlands Mall, discover your next favourite artist, stroll around Raumati beach village or grab a bargain at the outlet stores in Ōtaki, each township on the Coast will have something to tempt you.
Once you've had your retail fix, stop in to one of the horticultural gardens and stock up on locally grown fruit and vegetables, or even take the kids and pick your own!
