This is the final section of the coast that starts at Paekakeriki and stretches all the way to Otakai. In doing this section of the East Coast of the North Island you will pass some interesting places and varied sections of the coast beyond the beach itself.
Take a look over the dunes and take a look at what there is which is easily missed.
Starting at Wakainiae beach you head along the sand beach which at low tide is a joy to walk along. When at low tide you will come across many people walking or walking the dogs, horse riding or youngsters using there imagination.
Also imagine what the drift wood looks like from a distance. A seal raising its head or the Grim Reaper
About 40minutes walk you will come across a small village of Peka Peka, which hit the headlines in 2011 when a Emperor Penguin from the Antarctic took a 3000km detour and arrived on the beach.. At the beach access for Peka Peka you will find a information board that is dedicated to its short but now famous stay on the beach.
About 10 minutes or so will be a steam that will require crossing, so be prepared to get your feet wet.
A further 1hr or there abouts you will see some houses that is the beach side place called Te Horo. Here is another but larger stream. At times of the year you will see people with nets waiting for the Whitebait. The Whitebait season generally runs from mid August to the end of November.
As the stream can be deep and fast flowing the best option is to head inland along a road for about 50m until you come across a bridge. Cross over and continue along the road and after about 30 minutes the road curves round to the left. A couple of minutes later you will see a change from the sandy dunes and sandy beach to one of stones and a scrubby area.
There is no beach of such as the stones head all the way to the waters edge, a marked change in a very small area.
Follow the dirt track and on the way you will see some amazing shacks made of some what ever the person can find.
After a short walk head up to the bank to you right. Here gives you some good views of the small lake left from the high tides and the Otaki river as it heads out to sea.
On the other side is Otaki and the only was that you can get over to it is to carry along the bank until you arrive at SH1 and cross the bridge (care required and there is a path). Once across along he other side and you will end up at the Otaki Beach Reserve.
Here you will a lot of work to restore and replant part of the area.
Also a group of locals have been helping to restore and replant the river banks.
This is the theme along this stretch of coast from Paekakeriki to Otaki where groups are working hard to maintain the beauty of this area.
It will take around a 2hrs to around around the river.
At the reserve continue along the road which will take you to Marine Parade where you will end up near the Surf Club.
From here you can wait for the bus (or if feeling up to it walk back into Otaki) to take you back to Waikanae if heading back to Wellington.
Getting to and from. The easy part is getting to Waikanae and walking to Otaki. The hard part is ensuring that you give yourself time to catch the bus back from Otaki as there is a limited service Mon to Fri and less so over the weekend.
It would be better to start early and get the earlier bus from Waikanae to Otaki then do the walk to Waikanae where the bus service offers a better frequency.
Earthsky: Happy Feet Article
Waikanae and Riverbank Scientific Reserve
Queen Elizabeth Park and Area
Distances. Total approx is approx 27Km
Waikanae to Peka Peka. 3.5Km
Peka Peka to Te Hoho 5.5Km
Te Hoho to Eastury 3.4Km
To Otaki Beach Via
river bank and Reserve 10.4Km
Otaki Beach to Town 2.5Km
Allow around 6/7 hrs.
Be prepared for changes in weather. Take food and water and wear good foot wear.
Bus 280 offers good service to Waikanae Beach and rail station.
Bus 290 is the Waikanae Rail Station to Otaki.
Metlink Bus/Rail Service
James/Windy Hill Flying Club
WildBay 