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Activities

Activities on Kapiti Island

You have the choice of two locations:

Rangatira, halfway along the eastern shore or
The north end

Follow short and easy, low-level tracks through the forest to view the bird life and see the historic whare. From the whare, two tracks (Wilkinson and Trig) climb through mature forest to the highest point of Kapiti Island, Tuteremoana (521 m). Both tracks can be very slippery when wet, and require sturdy footwear. Please take care, particularly on the way down. There's a shelter and toilets at Rangatira Flats.

Wilkinson Track

Well-formed 3.8km track with a steady uphill climb.
Gentler gradient than the Trig Track.
You'll pass a picnic area and hihi feeding station a third of the way up.

Trig Track

2km steady uphill climb, considerably steeper than Wilkinson Track, with narrow, uneven sections.
Requires a medium to high level of fitness.

Walking times

Allow 2 hours to climb to the summit, and 1 ½ hours to return.
Tuteremoana summit is 20 minutes from the top track junction.

Bird and wildlife watching

Forest: tui, bellbird, weka, kaka, kereru, and north Island robin are common. Saddleback, hihi and takahe are often seen.
Shoreline: various shag and gull species, white-fronted terns, variable oystercatchers and reef herons.

Bird feeder stations

Wilkinson track: The picnic table and hihi (stitchbird) feeder are approximately a third of the way up.
Trig track: the feeder is 10 - 15 minutes from the junction of the two tracks.

Historic sites

At the start of the Wilkinson and Trig Tracks is a historic whare, the oldest building on the island and the oldest associated with nature conservation in the country. It is thought to originate from the early 1860s when it was built as the homestead for the McLean family who farmed the island at the time. It was later home to caretakers on the island including Richard Henry, the world's first state-sponsored conservation officer. It is now a base for scientists, trappers, students and numerous dignitaries and visitors.

Near the landing area you'll find whaling trypots-artefacts from the island's whaling history

Specialist activities: Photography

Make sure you bring along a camera to capture images of native wildlife and the spectacular views from the Tuteremoana summit. Takahē, kererū, kākā and weka are the most obliging photo subjects, but the North Island robin may get close enough for a good shot. You might also have an opportunity to photograph a hihi at the feeding station.

North end

Tracks and walks

View of Okupe Lagoon from the north
end track on Kapiti Island

Walking tracks pass through grassland, shrubland, regenerating forest and coastline, and provide views of the freshwater Okupe Lagoon. Facilities available are a shelter and toilets.

Lagoon Walk

850m/1.5 hr return. All-year track to the northern coast of the island.

Okupe Loop Walk

4.8 km/1.5 h return. Winds up a fairly gentle ridge through regenerating bush leading along the ridge top to the north-western lookout.
The track is accessed from the visitor shelter by following the track around the edge of the Okupe Lagoon.
Requires a low to medium level of fitness.
Suitable for all terrain prams around entire length.

Boulder Bank Loop Track

Follow the coastline around the boulder bank.
Closed from October to March due to seabirds nesting within the track's vicinity.

Bird and wildlife watching

Shrubland and forest: tui, bellbird, weka, kaka, kereru and North Island robin are common.

Lagoon: scaup, grey teal, and black swans are often seen. Royal spoonbills and brown teal can be frequently seen.
Coast: shag and gull species, white-fronted terns, oystercatchers and reef herons.

Specialist activities: Photography

Photo opportunities abound on the north end, with good vantage points on the walks and plenty of wildlife.

While on Kapiti Island

After landing, go to the public shelter to listen to the introductory talk. This will explain conditions of entry and safety on the island, as well as information about flora, fauna, and human history.
Keep to marked tracks.
Ensure that your belongings are placed out of reach of weka and kaka. They are very inquisitive and expert at getting into bags.
Be ready to leave the island at the departure time announced by your boat skipper.