Sunny Otaki

Otaki Beach is gorgeous, we are extremely lucky to have this on our doorstep! There are so many parts of the beach that it's almost impossible to choose your favourite.    I'm not sure I can choose, which is why I'm putting it to you? What is your favourite area of the beach?  Add your photos to the comment section below. The Sand Dunes The sand dunes to the north of the Waitohu Stream, this part of beach is wild an rugged with drift wood, rolling sand dunes, wild grasses and the Waitahu stream. Dig your toes in the warm sand and gaze along this stretch of beautiful coastline. Remember, only leave your footprints behind.  You might also like to read  Whoever you are with, enjoy the view Waitohu Stream The Waitohu Stream is a great place to swim and play. With a gentle stream and rolling sand dunes it’s perfect for swimming playing in the dunes or watching the wildlife. You might also like to read  Splashing About at Otaki Beach The River Mou...

Otaki Beach, what can you say, it's the most beautiful beach on the Kapiti Coast. It can be wild and ruggered with an amazing collection of driftwood or smooth sand and seashell collecting.  Kapiti Island There are always fantastic views of Kapiti Island and a great place to swim with the family or your friends. (remember to always swim between the flags!)  If your taking a long stroll with your pooch across the sands or dipping your toes in the water, so much to love about Otaki Beach. And then there's also the stunning sunsets which are always different and always spectatular. So whoever your with, enjoy the view.  #Paperpeople      

My First Fishing trip at Otaki River Mouth with Nanna and Poppa, it was pretty successful, I managed to find two sticks, five rocks and Nanna and Poppa caught a bucketful of fish for my dinner. I wasn't aloud in the water, but Nanna did give me a bath when we got home, I was covered in sand and shells.

What is Summertime and Christmas without a yummy, scrummy ice cream and in Otaki we have the best ice cream in the whole, wide world!  Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, in so many of your faverite flavours, Chocolate, Strawberry Ripple, Peanut Butter, Ginger Crunch, Coconut, Mint Choc Chip, Rocky Road, Blackberry, and any kind of berry, if you can dream about it, then you'll probably find it in Otaki at Koru Ice.  

My last blog post, Around the World in Otaki  was so popular, I thought I would create a part 2.  Otaki and Te Horo have some beautiful landscapes, varying wildly from sunsets, kite festivals, forests, rivers and churches which rival that of other locations around the world and you can visit some of the most famous locations around the globe right on your door-step! Check out Around the World in Otaki Part One here .

Pavola, the traditional Kiwi Dessert, no party is a success without one!  Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum in Wellington, celebrated its first birthday in February 1999 with the creation of the world's largest pavlova, named "Pavzilla", which was cut by the Prime Minister of the time, Jenny Shipley.

Who can resist a splash about in the ocean, especially on a night like this, what a fantastic afternoon at Otaki Beach jumping the waves, splashing Mummy, running about with Daddy and Uncle, all with the back drop of Kapiti Island, simply spectatular! There were a few tears when it was time to leave from Mr 3 1/2, who was soaked, but he had a great time splashing about.

A quick drive up to Otaki Gorge to run a few errands and the scenery never disappoints! Out with the Camera and snapping a few shots of a very beautiful Otaki. All but the last photo  #DonkeyDoo, are   just over the road swing bridge on Parenga Road, a simple farm scene, but looks spectacular! The last photo, just made me giggle, love the signage and the little imagery of the Donkey. Once again, thanks Otaki!

Mr 3 1/2 discovering Te Horo Beach for the first time, what an exciting time, a wild and ruggered beach full of drift wood to climb, shells to collect, stones to throw into the puddles and waves to jump and plenty of treasures to find. A very exciting afternoon playing on the beach followed by a picnic in Nanna and Poppa's caravan.

“The plan to provide something to ease the burden of Christmas for some of our town’s families originated from Strengthening Families in Levin, who had funding for the year left over and decided to to buy hampers or presents for families with very little. A lot of community groups donated to this as well, in particular Subway, who set up a tree in both their Levin and Otaki stores, and asked people to leave presents there. 

The New Zealand Jandal, or the Flip Flop, is the most common footwear in the world. Popularity has seen it appear all over the globe, handy for hot summer days and suit just about any foot shape.  Of the four main species, Flip flop, Thong, Jandal, Chappel, the Jandal is originally found in New Zealand and plays an important part in Kiwi cultural identity.

It's the age old problem, should I eat that Pineapple Lump? Well never fear, Zilchoo is here to help you, with our scientific flowchart we'll help you take a journey of Pineapple Lump goodness.  Follow the flowchart and discover if you should eat that delicious Pineapple Lump. Pineapple  [ pahy-nap-uh l ]  noun  The edible, juicy, collective fruit of tropical bromeliaceous plant . Lump  [ luhmp ]  noun  A piece or mass of solid matter  without regular shape or of no particular shape

Our Shopping Day to sunny Otaki!  So many shops and so little time, we love a day of shopping at Otaki Outlet stores so many lovely things to buy! Dad heads to the SciFi and Geek store, Hunting and Fishing while Mum and I always make sure we visit the Bendon Store and Pumpkin patch to pick our bargains! Check out all the Otaki Shops here . Enjoy your shopping trip!

What is your Essential Otaki? Zilchoo have picked out some of our favorites, but we want to know what your's are! Sunsets at the beach, a local community group, the Tararuas? What to you think is the best place for visitors to see?

Do you love the beach?   Spend all day there? Why not, Otaki Beach is fantastic, and Zilchoo have put together 25 signs you love Otaki Beach, do any of these look familiar? We'd like to know if any of these signs match your beach going activities...or if you'd like to any any more to the list!  Don't forget, Slip, Slop, Slap!

In Celebration of World Photography Day on 19th August 2014, I've put together a selection of my favorite snaps taken around Otaki.  Each time you visit Otaki you are greeted by totally beautiful scenes that it never ever disappoint. It’s a sunny and warm place to visit.  It was this sense of beauty that I found so inspiring and made me stop and take a snap.  What are you favourite photographs of Otaki? Do you have that perfect place for the best photograph? Share your secrets with us.

The Black Sheep Animal Sanctuary rehabilitates and re-homes abused, injured, and neglected non-human animals.  We support animal rights and animal protection, and our main aim is to provide a safe haven for animals. 

Over the years, we've had our fare share of visitors from overseas; United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia and even Switzerland and like any good ambassador of Otaki,  one of our first stops is Otaki Beach, visitors are always amazed by the rugged wild beauty of the beach and to have this on our door step is a rare treat.

Yippee, it’s summer time, and you know what that means, the temperature is rising and it's going to be hot, hot, hot! But fear not! Armed with your ice cubes and a little plan you can stay cool in an Otaki summer. Here are five ways to beat the heat this summer:

The Otaki river is a beautiful, clean and wonderful river to swim, fish and flounder in.   The number of people using the river this year has been awesome, families and friends gathering for picnics along the walkway, people taking gas cookers out to make a twilight dinner and tourists are utilising the free Motorhome camping area that accommodates up to 6 motorhomes.