Family Fun

Every town has recreational facilities ranging from skateboard ramps, BMX tracks, roller blading areas and tennis courts to playgrounds, pools and picnic areas.

The excellent Levin Adventure Playground (State Highway 1, Levin) offers fun for everyone, with train rides, roller blading, flying fox and climbing as well as a dog exercise area, barbeques, an indoor picnic area with microwave and hot water for tea and coffee, baby changing facilities and toilets.

Otaki’s Haruatai Park has an indoor swimming pool, playground, tennis courts, and a soccer field and picnic area. Marine Gardens (Raumati Beach) has a paddling pool, playground, toilets and is next to the Raumati Pool. At weekends, the Kapiti Miniature Railway offers train rides. Campbell Park (Paekakariki Beach) has a children’s playground and plenty of room for cricket and other games. There are swimming pools open all year at Levin, Otaki and Raumati Beach. The Levin Aquatic Centre (Gladys Taylor Park, Queen St, Levin) includes a children’s pool, a 70-metre enclosed hydro slide, spa pools and a outdoor picnic area with cooking facilities. Pools at Foxton, Shannon and Waikanae are open only during the summer months.

You can meet wildlife and animals almost everywhere in the region. There are places to see kiwi, owls, parrots and other native and migratory birds; tuatara, eels, wetas and farm animals, including horses and alpacas.

Owlcatraz

An Owlsome Family Experience

NOTE: Owlcatraz will be temporarily shut for maintenance from Monday 30 January 2012 and reopening on Saturday 11 February 2012.

Also Owlcatraz will not be open on Sunday 26 February as they (all staff) will be supporting the Shannon Spectacular Car Show being held in the Shannon Domain.

Owlcatraz, owl house, glow worm cave and nature park.
Enter the mysterious world of the Native NZ Owl - the morepork, or Ruru. Meet Owl Capone, Owlè MacPherson, Owlvis Presley, and the Owlcatraz babies Owlmo and Owlfalfa.

Hear the guides explain the legends of the ruru and feel the breeze as the "Priest of the Forest" glides by you with his 100% soundless flight. This purpose built area has no glass or cages so there are no barriers between you and these magnificent creatures of our NZ bush. Owlcatraz is also home to Little German Owl 'Owlivia Newton John. Owlby is a special little NZ Owl (Morepork/Ruru) who has been hand reared at the Park. He is the first one raised right from an egg and is a real treat for the visitors. By special request you can meet Owlby and take his photo. He will even sit on your arm.

Open daily for guided tours anytime between 10am to 3pm
Entry: $5 to $25 

Owlcatraz
Address: Main Road South (SH57) Shannon
Phone: (06) 362 7872
Email: owlcatraz@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.owlcatraz.co.nz

Kapiti Island Nature Tours

Be nature-inspired on Kapiti Island.

Your best chance to encounter Little Spotted Kiwi in the wild, and other endangered native birds like Takahe, Kaka, Weka, Tieke (Saddleback), Kereru, Kokako, Hihi, and Toutouwai.
Genuine Maori hospitality | Native forest | Overnight Kiwi spotting tours | Guided nature walks | Conservation | Bird watching | Maori culture and storytelling | Accommodation and meals in our Kapiti Nature Lodge | Life-long nature inspired experiences to treasure. 

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Phone: 021 126 7525
Email: bookings@kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz
Website: www.kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz

Lindale

Lindale is a unique experience of specialty shops and family activities developed within a Farm Park theme situated on State Highway 1, only one kilometre north of Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Coast.

The centre boasts specialty shops that sell a range of New Zealand products and quality merchandise. Kapiti Cheese & Icecream, Kapiti Candies, Artel Gallery, Honeymeister, Wine shops, etc... Lindale also has a number of family activities including the Farm & Barn experiences, the Saturday & Sunday market, The Sunday Carboot Sale and Scenic Helicopter rides.

Lindale Cafe provides wholesome and good quality food to our lovely customers. It is fully licensed and able to cater all kind of functions. Lindale Wine Shop has exclusive range of boutique wine selection.

Lindale
Address: The Lindale Centre, SH 1, Paraparaumu
Phone: (04) 297 0916
Website: www.lindale.co.nz

Murrayfield Clydesdales - Cafe, Museum & Animal Park

Murrayfield is countryside charm with a café that serves today's menu and a unique museum offering visitors a chance to step into the pioneering world of yesteryears. Country food, cafe, miniature town, kunekune pig, farm animals.

Murrayfield Clydesdales - Cafe, Museum & Animal Park
Address: Corner of Potts Hill & SH57
Phone: (06) 367 8166
Website: www.murrayfield.co.nz