This article was first published in Tararua Tramper May 2025, p.15, with a map and photos
Kāpiti Coast and Whareroa Farm: sea, sand, birdsong and bush
Wednesday 2 April 2025 - EM
On an ideal day for hiking, 17 fit and enthusiastic members of the club trekked a 19-kilometre circuit that included part of Kāpiti Coast and the native bush and grassy hills of the Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve. The hike commenced at Paekākāriki township at 9 a.m. and was completed in less than six hours. The route took us along the sandy coastline from Paekākāriki, across the coastal plain to the Whareroa Farm Recreation Reserve, along the Te Ara Ramaroa Track and through vibrant native bush. It included a sharp climb up a zig-zag farm track to the Ti Kouka/Rocks lookout at an elevation of 360 metres. The return route involved a gradual descent to the coastal plain before traversing the coastal lowlands back to Paekākāriki.
Some highlights of the day were the sight of well- formed waves rolling onto the Kāpiti coast as we commenced our hike, and konini trees and birdsong, especially from tūī, in the Ramaroa Bush. An extended lunch at Ti Kouka/Rocks lookout was enhanced by magnificent views of Kāpiti Island and the coastline.
Bob Buckle (leader and scribe), Alistair Beckett, Linda Beckett, Karen Brown, Chris Bryan, Janet Dobbie, Claire Douglas, Trish Gardiner-Smith, Caroline Jenkins, Andy Leslie, Cheryl McDonald, Jeanette Martin, Peter Smith, Angela Vanderpoel, Ann Walker, Helena Weller-Chew, Jill Wild.