Paraparaumu

Raumati is a friendly beachside village that offers a refreshing view of Kapiti Island. Right on the beachfront is the hub with the swimming pool and restaurant with the best views of the coast line.

By car

It's a 40 to 90 min drive from the nearest cities of Palmerston North and Wellington.

By train

Tranz Metro suburban trains run regularly (generally 1 or 2 every hour) from Wellington on the Kapiti Line, which terminates one stop further on at Waikanae. It takes 69 minutes from Wellington to Paraparaumu.
Tranzscenic has long-distance trains three times per week that start from Auckland.

By bus

InterCity operates several daily scheduled bus services throughout this region and most backpacker buses stop here.

By plane

• Kapiti Coast Airporthas Air Chathams flights from Auckland, and Sounds Air flights across Cook Strait from Nelson and Blenheim. The nearest other airports are at Palmerston North and Wellington.

Mana Coach Service provides a bus service between Paraparaumu and Paraparaumu Beach to Coastlands and the railway station to get you where you need to go. There is an hourly bus from Raumati to Paraparaumu, which takes 10 minutes. There is also a local taxi service available.

• Southward Car Museum

  phone: +64 4 297-1221
  address: Otaihanga Rd
  The largest private collection of cars and motorbikes in New Zealand, with over 200 cars

• Wellington Tramway Museum

  address: MacKays Crossing Entrance, Queen Elizabeth Park, Paekakariki
  A short section of track is used to run trams dating from the 1920s and 1930s, and these operated in Wellington until 1964.

• Statue of Our Lady of LourdesA 14m-high statue of the Madonna looking over the town from a hill behind the railway station. The statue was commissioned in 1958. Although there is a track up to the statue, the surroundings are not inspiring and it may be best to view from a distance.

For a bit of exercise try your luck at the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club or some bowling practice at one of the local greens.

• Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

  address: 376 Kapiti Rd, Paraparaumu Beach
  Course designed in 1949 which has been used for the New Zealand Open several times. Dress code applies

• Marine Gardens

  address: Raumati
  Home to Kapiti Miniature Railway, which offers train rides for the kids, indoor swimming pool complex open all year round and the outdoor playground and paddling pool. The gardens are a nice area to have a picnic and let the kids run around.

• Queen Elizabeth Park

  address: Raumati
  Opened by Queen Elizabeth II during the 1953 royal visit, this large coastal park has dunes and grassland.

• Paraparaumu BeachParaparaumu Beach is the gateway to Kapiti Island where the visitors and locals come to catch their boat to the world famous nature reserve. The Kapiti Island visit is an experience and one that can be made even more alluring because of seasonal weather making it inaccessible. Sheltered by the island, the popular yet unspoilt beach is a safe haven for children to play, build sandcastles, and swim. A neat children's playground and a challenging skate park for the older ones make boredom here a slim chance.

Kapiti Island

DOC permits are required to visit Kapiti Island. These are included in the price of ferry tickets, and you are not allowed to visit in your own boat. Biosecurity measures include bag inspections before departure.

• Kapiti Explorer & Marine Charter

  phone: +64 4 905 6610
  address: 1 Manly Street, Paraparaumu Beach
  11m jet boat taking 31 passengers.

• Kapiti Island Nature ToursFerry, day tours and overnight stays in cabins.

• Kapiti Marine Charter

  phone: +64 4 905 6610
  ferry and guided walks.

The village is a good place to buy local. The Saturday market is a special community experience. Drop in to have your breakfast and have a look. It's a great place to meet local people, local growers and local producers.
The Raumati shopping strip houses women's fashion, a cycle store for those who are into something with speed, a renowned butcher and bakery and those stores which will cater for your small needs.

• New World

  address: 159 Kapiti Rd
  Supermarket

• Pak'nSave

  address: Rimu Rd
  Supermarket

• Thriftway Four Square

  address: 16 Seaview Rd
  Small supermarket near the beach.

• Coastlands

  phone: +64 902 9899
  address: Main Rd, Paraparaumu
  Shopping centre with a large range of chain stores and a few locally-owned businesses.

There are many cafes and restaurants both in town and near the beach making this a great stop for those needing to refuel. When ordering fish and chips down at the beach ask them to point you to Fish and Chip Hill where locals soak up the sun, picnic and at times feed the many seagulls that hang around.
Raumati is home to a small selection of restaurants ranging from Italian to Thai and cafes only a short stroll from the beach.

• Maclean Street Fish Supply

  address: 6 Maclean St, Paraparaumu Beach
  Fish and chip shop

• Waterfront bar

  address: 3 Marine Garden, Raumati Beach
  If you are keen for a drink and meal on those sunny days when there are perfect views of Kapiti Island and the South Island, visit the Waterfront bar for a couple of cool beverages and a meal.

• Tuatara Brewery Tasting Room

  address: 7 Sheffield Street
  Try a wide selection of beer (and pizza) at this major brewery. Tasting session on Saturday afternoon have to be booked in advance.

With many motels and hotels this town is not short of a place to stay and accommodation rates suit those wanting a quick stop over or a relaxing weekend on the coast.

• Asure Kapiti Court Motel

  phone: +64 4 298 7982
  address: 341 Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu Beach

• Paekakariki – a small town to the south
• Waikanae – another small town very close by to the north