From the Waikanae township, it’s a short walk down Main Road to access the shared walking and cycling Waikanae River Track, or you can park at one of the entrances signposted off Te Moana Drive.
The track runs down both sides of the river, all the way to the Waikanae Estuary and the river mouth between Waikanae Beach and Paraparaumu Beach on the Kāpiti Coast. Allow a little over an hour to get to the sandspit on the north side of the river, marked by a freedom camping site. It will take a bit longer to get to the Waikanae Scientific Reserve on the south side of the river, then another 15 minutes to the river mouth and Paraparaumu Beach.
About halfway along, you will pass under the motorway. On both sides, an interesting panel describes the area's history.
The track is an eclectic mix of native replanting, adjacent grassed parks and playing fields, some farmland, mature exotic trees, and wildflowers. There are a couple of bridges to change sides, plus some waterholes for warm weather swimming.
The track is also a section of Te Araroa.
