Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
is well located, 1.5km north of the township at the southern entrance to Queen Elizabeth
Park.
Finn's
HOTEL, PUB $$$
( 04-292 8081;
www.finnshotel.co.nz
;
2 Beach Rd; d $135-150; )
Finn's is the flashy beige
suit of the low-key railway village, but redeems itself with spacious rooms, good-value
meals (mains $17 to $29), craft beer on tap and an in-house 26-seat cinema. The hush
glass keeps the highway at bay.
Beach Road Deli
CAFE $
(5 Beach Rd; snacks $3-8, pizzas $13-22; 7am-8pm Wed-Sat, to 4.30pm Sun)
Bijou deli and
wood-fired pizzeria, stocked with home-baked bread and pastries, cheese, charcuterie
and assorted imported goodies. Heaven-sent for the highway traveller, picnicker, or those
looking for a sausage to fry and a bun to put it in. Ace coffee.
WORTH A TRIP
KAPITI ISLAND
Kapiti Island is the coastline's dominant feature, a 10km by 2km slice that since
1897 has been a protected reserve. Largely predator-free since 1998, it is home to
a remarkable range and number of birds including many species that are now rare
or extinct on the mainland.
The island is open to visitors, limited each day to 100 at
Rangatira
, where you
can hike up to the 521m high point, Tuteremoana; and 60 visitors at the
northern
end
, which has short, gentle walks to viewpoints and around a lagoon.
To visit the island, you must make your arrangements in advance with one of
three licensed operators. Remember to reconfirm your arrangements on the
morning of departure, as sailings are weather-dependent. All boats depart from
Paraparaumu Beach, which can be reached by train. Services are provided by
Kap-
iti Marine Charter
( 027 442 4850, 04-297 2585;
www.kapitimarinecharter.co.nz
; adult/child $95/
65)
; and
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
( 021 126 7525, 06-362 6606;
www.kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz
; boat transport adult/child $95/55)
, run by the Barrett and
Clark whanau(family), who have a long-standing connection to the island. The lat-
ter offers day tours as well as a very special overnight stay (adult/child from
$369/215), which includes an introduction to wildlife, history and Maori traditions,
but also an after-dark walk in the bush to spot the cutest-ever bird, the rare little
spotted kiwi. The price includes lodge accommodation in sole-occupancy rooms or
bunk houses, with meals included.
