Category: Walks Beyond Wellington.

Waikanie to Otakai:Walks Beyond Wellington

  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

UA-22479197-5

Waikanae Riverbank/Scientific Reserve.Walks Beyond Wellington

 This track is well made and follows Waikanae river from the bridge at SH1 just before you enter Waikanae from Wellington, all the way to the coast at Waikanae and the Waikanae Reserve.
 There is a track either side of the river, with 2 places where you can cross.Both bridges are close to either end of the walk.

  There are a number of entry/exit points along the track with most on the Northern Side. The track is well maintained and good underfoot with the Southern side having track’s wide enough for 4WD.

 There are some places where a track will lead down to the river where you will find the water can be shallow enough for a paddle during the summer. During and after high levels of rain care will be required and to be safe it would not be suitable to enter the water.

 This is a good easy walk for the family as its on the flat. The tracks are also great for cycling with plenty of room for both bikes and walkers.
 Don’t be surprised  that you will also come across runners with or without prams and horses.Along the banks you may come across those trying there luck with a fishing rod or a family having a quite picnic, whilst enjoying the quiet. 

  Along both sides of the river you will come across sections of the bank that has been cleared or being cleared over a number of years and have been replanted or completely new planting.

 After about 5km the area opens up into a park where you will come across the second bridge just before the Waikanae reserve.

 If you are on the Northern side of the river you can either continue along the track that follows the river. You will see some houses to your right. The tracks follows round some of the marsh land and then after about 15/20 minutes you will see the main point where the river meets the sea. You then climb over some sand dunes and in front of you is the beach and the Kapiti Island to your left.

 For the Scientific Reserve: At the wooden bridge keep to the Southern side of the river.There is a clearly marked walking/cycling track as you exit Makora Rd and cross Otaihanga Road. The roads can be  quiet and there are signs that  show the Kapiti cycling route. You enter the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve off Hana Udy Place.You will find a number of tracks that you through the reserve.

 

Waikanae Reserve and area  Google Map

Waikanae Reserve Information.  Good info on the reserve.

Waikanae-Estuary Care Group. Local group that looks after the Waikanae Estuary.

Waikanaie to Otaki Walk  

Queeb Elizabeth Park and Area

 If feeling that you wish to go further the reserve boarders onto the main coastal beach. Head South and you will end  in Paraparaumu and a well earned rest.

Information:   Distance  approx 10km for the round trip for river walk.
                        Getting there. Train from Wellington to Waikanane
                         From Waikanae station to Waikanae Beach  No 280 bus.
                         From Waikanane to Paraparaumu via beach. Approx 4km.
                         From/to Paraparaumu. Train from Wellington.
                         From Paraparaumu Station to Paraparaumu Beach. Buses 260,261,262

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club

UA-22479197-5