Kapiti Coast

The Kapiti Coast is an easy 45 — 60 minute drive north of Wellington (or a scenic train ride on the Kapiti Line). It's known for long sandy beaches, the beautiful Kapiti Island nature reserve, and a relaxed seaside lifestyle.

Kapiti Island

A protected nature reserve and one of NZ's most important bird sanctuaries. Take a guided tour to see little spotted kiwi, weka, saddleback, and kākā in their natural habitat. The walk to the summit offers incredible views of the South Island. Bookings are essential: only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day. Ferry departs from Paraparaumu Beach. Full-day trips cost around NZ$100 — $150 per adult.

Paraparaumu Beach

Excellent beach for swimming, walking, and fishing. The beachfront has cafes, fish and chip shops, and a golf course. The Kapiti Coast's longest pier is great for a stroll. Don't miss the Paraparaumu Beach Markets on Saturday mornings in summer.

Ekapō (Waikanae)

Visit the Kapiti Coast Museum, the Waikanae Estuary bird-watching area, and Nga Manu Nature Reserve: a great option for families with eels, tuatara, and native bush walks.

Martinborough Wine Region

Martinborough is the heart of the Wairarapa wine region, famous for its pinot noir. It's about a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Wellington over the Rimutaka Hill, or you can take the train to Featherston and arrange a wine tour.

Wine Tasting

Martinborough's wineries are mostly within cycling distance of the town square. Top wineries include:

Palliser Estate: Award-winning pinot noir and great cellar door experience
Te Kairanga: Beautiful setting with excellent wines
Escarpment: Outstanding pinot noir from a boutique producer
Martinborough Vineyard: One of the pioneers of the region
Margrain Vineyard: Family-friendly with a lovely garden

Most cellar doors charge a tasting fee (NZ$10 — $20) that's waived with a purchase. Bike hire is available in the village for about NZ$40 — $60 per day.

Martinborough Village

The charming village square has cafes, restaurants, and boutique accommodation. The Martinborough Hotel is a historic landmark. The Sunday market (seasonal) offers local produce and crafts.

Wairarapa Towns

Greytown

New Zealand's first planned inland town, Greytown is famous for its beautifully preserved Victorian architecture, antique shops, art galleries, and excellent cafes. Main Street is a delight to wander. The Greytown Hotel is a classic country pub with good food.

Carterton

A charming town with a growing food scene. Visit the Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History. In March, the annual Wairarapa Balloon Festival fills the skies with hot air balloons: a spectacular sight.

Cape Palliser

For a more adventurous day trip, head to Cape Palliser for the beautiful coastal scenery, the Cape Palliser lighthouse (climb the 253 steps for panoramic views), and the fur seal colony at the base. About 2 hours from Wellington.

Across the Harbour

Eastbourne

A 30-minute drive or a scenic ferry ride from Queens Wharf. Eastbourne has a beautiful beach, the Muritai School zone (very popular with families), and excellent walking tracks. The Point Howard and Days Bay areas are particularly lovely.

Petone

Just across the harbour and 15 minutes from the CBD, Petone has a fantastic beachfront, Jackson Street (the main strip with shops, cafes, and the famous Petone Fisherman's Table fish and chips), and the Petone Settlers Museum.

Getting There

Train: Kapiti Line goes to Paraparaumu and Waikanae; Wairarapa Line goes to Featherston, Carterton, and Masterton
Car: The quickest option for most trips. Parking is easy at Wairarapa and Kapiti destinations
Ferry: East By West Ferry to Days Bay (30 minutes, scenic)
Bus: Metlink buses connect to many Hutt Valley destinations; there are also intercity buses to the Wairarapa

How to Plan a Day Trip That Goes Smoothly

Wellington day trips run on two rules: book the activity, and check the weather and transport before you leave. Kapiti Island is the strictest example — only a limited number of visitors are allowed per day, and the ferry from Paraparaumu Beach books out weeks ahead in summer, so reserve 2–4 weeks out and confirm the sailing time the day before. The mechanism behind the birdlife: the island is a predator-free sanctuary, so the birds (little spotted kiwi, weka, kākā) are far more visible than on the mainland, but only the guided tour areas are open to visitors — the DOC permit system protects the rest.

For Martinborough, the wine-tasting economics favour cycling: cellar door tasting fees ($10–$20, waived with purchase) add up fast across five wineries, and bike hire ($40–$60 a day) both saves money and keeps you safe. Book bikes the day before on weekends, and note the last Wairarapa train back to Wellington if you're not driving — it's earlier than you'd expect.

Seasonal Tips and a Ready-Made Itinerary

Autumn (March–May) is the golden window: the Wairarapa vines are in harvest, Martinborough's streets are quiet, and the Rimutaka Hill road is at its most scenic. Summer (December–February) suits the Kapiti beaches and Eastbourne's Days Bay ferry. Winter (June–August) is for Cape Palliser's seal colony and the balloon festival month in March (Wairarapa Balloon Festival). Spring (September–November) brings the quietest beaches and the best bird activity on Kapiti.

A proven day loop: drive or train to Martinborough in the morning, cycle the cellar doors (Palliser, Te Kairanga, Escarpment, Margrain), lunch at a vineyard or the village square, then return via Greytown for an afternoon wander down its heritage main street. For nature lovers, swap in Kapiti Island: morning ferry, summit walk, lunch at the beach, afternoon bird-spotting, late ferry back. Either way, leave Wellington by 8am to beat the weekend traffic over the hill and fill the tank before you go — petrol is limited in the Wairarapa villages.