Wellington

An easy day’s walking after the rigours of Tararua tramping! The trail is virtually level walking for the whole 22km, taking in some of the Kapiti District’s icons – the Waikanae River, an estuary and scientific reserve, Kapiti Island in full view from the beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the distinctive cafes and local art outlets in Paraparaumu, Raumati and Paekakariki.

Waikanae River - 4.5km / 1¼hr

From the Waikanae Bridge take track down river on the true right bank (north).
Follow main track downstream for 4.5km. Pass a footbridge over the river and continue under the expressway. Cross the second footbridge towards the Otaihanga Domain.

Exit bridge into Otaihanga Domain.
Immediately turn sharp right on river side of toilets.
Follow the true left bank (south side).
After 500m veer left to boardwalk and track through the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Ignore side tracks.  After 15min join an older section of  the Reserve Track that exits on to Manly Street. 
Turn right and follow grass verge for 5min skirting the lagoons.
Just before the houses, turn right, leaving the verge to enter another section of the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Follow boardwalks over swamp, sand dunes and on to beach.


Paraparaumu Beach to Raumati South - 8.5km / 3hr

At beach turn left (south) by yellow Marine Reserve triangles.
Weather and tide permitting keep on beach heading south for 8km.
Walking along the beach is safe and accessible right to Queen Elizabeth Park except in extreme high tides; in which case use local roads running parallel with beach. All major streams are bridged.
When near to high-rise apartments, you can divert to cafes at the boat launch area.
At the end of Raumati South Beach, turn inland through piles of driftwood where you see a triangular "Total Fire Ban" sign. Continue for a short distance then turn right on to the Coastal Track. 

 
Queen Elizabeth Park - 3.5km / 1½hr

Follow undulating Coastal Track - the one nearest to the sea - for about 1.5km to picnic and toilet area.
Turn left (inland) onto sealed road for 100m.
Turn right at next road intersection and follow along another 100m before rejoining the coastal track.

August 2018, the Coastal Track at Raumati South is closed due to coastal erosion.The alternatives are to continue along the beach at low tide, continue on the Coastal Track at your own risk, or use the alternative Inland Track. Follow a track uphill to the north briefly, this soon joins up with the Inland Track. Head along this, down a hill and join a major sealed track. Turn right (south) and a short distance along turn right onto a small track signposted "Coastal Track 900 metres". This takes you back on to the Coastal Track - continue as above.

Continue along The Parade for 1.7km then turn left into Beach Road, Paekakariki's main street.
Cross over the pedestrian crossing to the right-hand side of the road and head past the shops toward the railway lines.

• Vehicles on road or track
• Tides, waves & rivers - safer at low tide . Will need to walk along road in certain conditions
• Small stream crossings
• Track exposed to sun, wind or cold
• Do not be tempted to take a short cut through the Waikanae Estuary, the sand can be very soft and dangerous at low tide

An easy day’s walking after the rigours of Tararua tramping! The trail is virtually level walking for the whole 22km, taking in some of the Kapiti District’s icons – the Waikanae River, an estuary and scientific reserve, Kapiti Island in full view from the beach, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the distinctive cafes and local art outlets in Paraparaumu, Raumati and Paekakariki.

Waikanae River - 4.5km / 1¼hr

From the Waikanae Bridge take track down river on the true right bank (north).
Follow main track downstream for 4.5km. Pass a footbridge over the river and continue under the expressway. Cross the second footbridge towards the Otaihanga Domain.

Exit bridge into Otaihanga Domain.
Immediately turn sharp right on river side of toilets.
Follow the true left bank (south side).
After 500m veer left to boardwalk and track through the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Ignore side tracks.  After 15min join an older section of  the Reserve Track that exits on to Manly Street. 
Turn right and follow grass verge for 5min skirting the lagoons.
Just before the houses, turn right, leaving the verge to enter another section of the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve.
Follow boardwalks over swamp, sand dunes and on to beach.


Paraparaumu Beach to Raumati South - 8.5km / 3hr

At beach turn left (south) by yellow Marine Reserve triangles.
Weather and tide permitting keep on beach heading south for 8km.
Walking along the beach is safe and accessible right to Queen Elizabeth Park except in extreme high tides; in which case use local roads running parallel with beach. All major streams are bridged.
When near to high-rise apartments, you can divert to cafes at the boat launch area.
At the end of Raumati South Beach, turn inland through piles of driftwood where you see a triangular "Total Fire Ban" sign. Continue for a short distance then turn right on to the Coastal Track. 

 
Queen Elizabeth Park - 3.5km / 1½hr

Follow undulating Coastal Track - the one nearest to the sea - for about 1.5km to picnic and toilet area.
Turn left (inland) onto sealed road for 100m.
Turn right at next road intersection and follow along another 100m before rejoining the coastal track.

August 2018, the Coastal Track at Raumati South is closed due to coastal erosion.The alternatives are to continue along the beach at low tide, continue on the Coastal Track at your own risk, or use the alternative Inland Track. Follow a track uphill to the north briefly, this soon joins up with the Inland Track. Head along this, down a hill and join a major sealed track. Turn right (south) and a short distance along turn right onto a small track signposted "Coastal Track 900 metres". This takes you back on to the Coastal Track - continue as above.

Continue along The Parade for 1.7km then turn left into Beach Road, Paekakariki's main street.
Cross over the pedestrian crossing to the right-hand side of the road and head past the shops toward the railway lines.

  Download Map 1 (map072)

  Download Map 2 (map073)

  Download Trail Notes (Kapiti Coast)