Family Activities on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand
Situated southeast of Australia, New Zealand is a popular travel destination, especially since gaining attention as the shooting location of the "Lord of the Rings" films. Stunning landscapes, snowy mountains, sheep-filled pastures and beaches on the Pacific make the Kapiti coast a prime family vacation spot.
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Animal Life
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Lindale Farm and Barn allows families to interact with goats, donkeys, pigs, cows and emus. At certain times of the year, you might even have the opportunity to bottle-feed calves or lambs. You can also book a farm show for informative talks on farming in New Zealand, observe sheep shearing and have the chance to assist in milking cows. Staglands Wildlife Reserve also offers opportunities to get close to animals. It has several sections, one of which is the stables with piglets, chicks and donkey rides. It also has a re-creation of an old bush settlement so you can explore how the pioneers lived.
Vintage Transportation
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Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu has a collection of more than 400 classic cars. You can see a vintage fire truck, a 1915 race car and an 1895 Benz Velo. It also has aircraft and bicycles on display. If trains are more your family's speed, check out Steam Incorporated in Paekakariki. It's dedicated to restoring trains from the '50s and '60s. On Saturdays and Thursdays, families can watch workers restoring the locomotives. You can also book short steam engine rides, food excursions and a trip to Manawatu Gorge.
The Great Outdoors
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Otaki Gorge is a place for picnics, fishing and rafting. The road below Waiohanga Bridge leads to a swimming hole and nearby Otaki forks has several walking trails. Kapiti Island Nature Tours offers wildlife experiences and overnight stays on Kapiti Island. You can go night-spotting for little spotted kiwis, abalone gathering, to a seal colony or learn about traditional weaving. There are also half-day and one-day tours, if you don't have time on the itinerary to spend the night.
Activities for Young and Old
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Family members over age 16 can enjoy an adventure tour with Kapiti Four x 4 Adventure. It has quad-bike treks lasting from one hour to all day, traversing rocky terrain, farmland and river beds. Marine Gardens has a playground for kids that includes a large tunnel slide, water play feature and a miniature railway with rides on Sunday. It is situated close to the beach and a shopping village.
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