Off the beaten track

Ready for an adventure? Some of the most magical moments on the Kāpiti Coast Art Trail –Te Ara Toi o te Takutai o Kāpiti happen when you wander a little further. These artists may be tucked away down country lanes or hidden behind leafy driveways, but what you’ll find when you get there is well worth the journey.

Cross the suspension bridge over the Ōtaki River to find Birgit Moffatt, whose peaceful gorge-side studio is reached through a tōtara tree tunnel – a serene haven where visitors are warmly welcomed and surrounded by nature and creativity. Nearby, the Ōtaki Market Collective brings together local makers in a rustic barn on Riverbank Road, offering everything from woodwork and canvas paintings to jewellery, leather goods, and handmade cards.

Just minutes from the Ōtaki expressway, Rosemary Mortimer’s printmaking studio is set in a tranquil garden with mature trees, spring flowers, and birdsong. Using her historic etching press, she creates richly detailed prints, often from found natural materials like bird’s nests.

In Te Horo, Claire Crocker’s studio sits quietly near The Kilns – you’ll need to double back along School Road to reach her, but the detour is worth it for her vibrant, nature-inspired artworks. Not far away, Kathryn Ennis-Carter’s studio on Settlement Road is a semi-rural paradise filled with diverse textile and ceramic pieces, set amidst gardens alive with birdsong.

Head south to Peka Peka, and you’ll discover Deborah Harris’s Studio Gallery – a hidden gem on 1.2 hectares of biodynamic gardens and orchard. Along the way, enjoy the scent of olive and rosemary, spot wandering quails, and be greeted by her cat Graci. Inside, nearly 100 original artworks in veil painting, pastel, charcoal, and watercolour await, alongside fine art cards and prints.

So grab your map, pack a sense of adventure, and take the scenic route – the treasures you’ll find off the beaten track might just be your favourites of the Trail. 

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