Kapiti Island Overnight Stay

Accommodation - Review of Kapiti Island Nature Tours, Paraparaumu, New Zealand

It was my good fortune to be able to stay two nights on Kapiti Island with my woman and 3 kids (8, 6, 6). So we stayed overnight and were enthusiastic about the great friendliness and the landscape. There''s a lot to do, bushwalking, birdwatching and then watching kiwis at noon or just relaxing.

If you are a resident of Kapiti, we suggest that you take the journey. and we couldn't talk high enough about them.

Overnight on Kapiti Island, New Zealand

When you are looking for the only adventure in New Zealand, Kapiti Island is the place to stay. This predation-free area is known as a haven for the occasional indigenous bird such as the night kiwis, but even many natives are unaware that it is possible to spend the night on the island in a privately owned chalet.

Featuring nothing but bird chirping and rushing leafs to accompany you, it will often look like you are alone on the island's hiking trails - and you can do that. Lodges and their large families and a max. of 20 people are the only humans on the island.

From Paraparaumu Beach, one hours outside of Wellington, ferryboats take about 20 min. to Waiorua. Overnight guests can take a shuttle to the centre of the island (Rangatira), then by boot to the northern end (Waiorua, where the chalet is located) for wilderness lessons in the afternoons and other walks.

An easy one is a seasons itinerary, at an altitude above sealevel, which surrounds the top of the island and is quite shallow. In any case, solid footwear is a must; some parts of the trail are covered with pebbles or have some places where trees overhang. Remember that the island is a nature reserve and not a perfect play area, so wet weather can lead to messy road.

Plan your time: Hiking to the summit and back to the chalet will take about twoh. However, you will want to take more of your own free moments, especially if you want to take a few moments to enjoy the view, take a lot of pictures or just walk at a more relaxed speed.

There is a large central house, shared facilities and several cottages. If you are not on your way, you will spend most of your stay in the central part of the chalet, where the lunch briefings and all food will take place in the afternoons. There are two separate en-suite toilets, each with a wash basin and a small bunk bed between the central house and a small bunk bed.

Evening meal and breakfasts are provided with overnight stay and evening meal include choices for soups, veggies, meat and desserts. On Kapiti Island, which is powered by electricity from sun and generators, the idea of sustainable development is of great importance. There are a few sockets in the cabin that you can use for a short period of the day, but none in the booths.

Because of the finite amount of freshwater resources, the chalet proposes a two-minute shower break; we have decided to reserve ours when we return to the shore. It is run by the Barretts, Maori - New Zealand's native Polynesians - and their origins on the island go back to the 18th century.

As well as an insight into the island's savage people and the eagerly awaited Kivi tour, your guests will accompany you over a drink before supper, as well as over supper and toast. Nocturnals on the island can be cool, and the cottages have no electrical heat.

There is more to see than just the seabirds. You will see many of the island and you will see some of them up-close. All of this you will have to spend $355 NZD ($233 USD) for one of the two-person staterooms or spend the night in a "luxury tent". This is a great deal in our opinion, especially when one considers that one spends two morning on the island.

There is of course the freedom to come later and leave early if you have a busy timetable, but we are willing to wager that you want to stay as long as possible.