Things to Do in Kapiti Coast

• Kapiti Island
  Once used as a base by the great Maori warrior Te Rauparaha, Kapiti Island became a forest and bird reserve in 1897 and a marine reserve in 1992.  The island is a sanctuary for endangered species such as the little spotted kiwi and saddleback. Native water fowel can be viewed at Okupe Lagoon.  Fishing, diving and sight-seeing excursions are available from Paraparaumu. A visitor's permit must be obtained before visiting the island and they are available from the Department of Conservation, or the Visitor Information Centre in Paraparaumu.
• Nga Manu Sanctuary
  A 15ha sanctuary including a kiwi house, native plant museum, alpine garden and fernery.
• Lindale Tourist & Agricultural Centre
  This complex north of Paraparaumu features specialised shops, a café, restaurant, wine bar, gallery, farm show and farm walks.  Lindale is the place to sample and buy delicious Kapiti cheeses and Kapiti ice cream, both of which are made on the premises.
• Southward Vintage Car Museum
  When Sir Len Southward bought a Model T Ford in 1956, it signalled the start of the largest private collection of cars in the Southern Hemisphere. About half of the 250 cars on its books are on display at any one time, such as Marlene Dietrich's Rolls Royce, a Chicago gangster's armour-plated limo, the 1955 Mercedes Gold Wing, the 1938 Bugatti, or the 1915 Stutz.
• Te Horo Vineyards
  Visit this vineyard which offers fruit and grape wines.
• Nikau Gardens
  A fine example of native coastal rainforest with bushwalks and a special butterfly enclosure featuring hundreds of native species.
• Paekakariki Railway Museum
  Re-live the steam engine era with these restored steam locomotives.
• Wellington Tramway Museum
  Some of the city's old trams still run along 2km of restored track. The park surrounding the museum has a beach frontage, with sand dunes, walking tracks and horse treks.
• Paekakariki Hill Lookout
  Panoramic views across to Kapiti Island, to the Marlborough Sounds and north to Mount Taranaki.
• Scenic Flights
  Enjoy a scenic flight around Kapiti with the Kapiti Aero Club.