Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
More information can be found in the Department of Conservation (DOC) Kapiti
Island Nature Reservebrochure or in person at the DOC Wellington Visitor Centre
(
Click here
).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Waikanae & Around
Heading north beyond Paekakariki, it's not long before it's time to slow down for another
Kapiti Coast town. The first is
Paraparaumu
(population 17,190), the region's major
commercial and residential hot spot. The town has two hubs: the main town on the high-
way, with shopping galore, and Paraparaumu Beach with its waterside park and walkway,
decent swimming and other beachy attractions, including the stunning view out to Kapiti
Island. The correct pronunciation is 'Pah-ra-pah-ra-oo-moo', meaning 'scraps from an
oven', which is said to have originated when a Maori war party attacked the settlement
and found only scraps of food remaining. It's a bit of a mouthful to pronounce; locals
usually just corrupt it into 'Para-par-am'.
Around 15 minutes' drive (20km) north of Paraparamu is
Waikanae
(population
10,640), traditionally a retirees' favourite but in contemporary times a growing, go-ahead
town encouraged by first-time-home-buyer flight from Wellington city. It's a pleasant
and sunny seaside town, and a rewarding stop for some salt-tinged R&R.
Sights & Activities
Nga Manu Nature Reserve
WILDLIFE RESERVE
(
www.ngamanu.co.nz
; 281 Ngarara Rd; adult/child/family $15/6/35; 10am-5pm)
Waikanae's
main visitor attraction, Nga Manu Nature Reserve is a 15-hectare bird sanctuary dotted
with picnic areas, bushwalks, aviaries and a nocturnal house with kiwi, owls and tuatara.
The eels are fed at 2pm daily, and guided tours run on weekends at 2pm (Sunday only in
winter). To get here, turn seawards from SH1 onto Te Moana Rd and then right down
Ngarara Rd and follow the signs.
Tuatara Brewery
BREWERY
(
www.tuatarabrewing.co.nz
; 7 Sheffield St, Paraparaumu; 11am-7pm Wed-Sun)
Visit the oldest
and most famous of Wellington's craft breweries at its industrial-estate premises where
you can enjoy a tasting along with simple bar snacks (biersticks, pizza…) or preferably
