Experience the Kāpiti Coast Museum Trail
The Kāpiti Coast District is home to eight wonderful museums with something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Read more about them in the Museum Trail brochure available from District Public Libraries and i-sites. The brochure is also available online:
Ōtaki Museum
Absorbing exhibitions featuring the history of the local district on display, changing throughout the year.
- Opening Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 2pm.
- Charges: Free entry, donations welcome
- Phone: 06 364 6886
- Email: otakimuseum@paradise.net.nz
Museum location: 49 Main Street, Ōtaki
Hyde Park Museum
Features Kiwi Heritage museum containing thousands of items from groceries to farm machinery. Includes displays of memorabilia dating from colonial days, war years and recent times. Great cafe right next door.
- Opening hours: Weekends and Public Holidays 11am - 3pm
- Charges: Entrance fee by donation. Conducted tours by arrangement.
- Phone: 04 298 4515
Museum location: Te Horo, Corner SH1 and Te Horo Beach Road
The Kāpiti Coast Museum
A wonderful collection of colonial life, including post & telegraph memorabilia. Click on the website link below for more information on the museum and lots of fascinating details about the collection.
Museum location: 9 Elizabeth Street, Waikanae
Museum website: www.kapiticoastmuseum.org.nz
Southward Car Museum
A selection of vehicles on show from one of the largest and most comprehensive privately owned collections of veteran and vintage cars and motorcyles in the Southern Hemisphere. Landscaped gardens and lake, a bush walk and restaurant. Regular theatre performances and conference facilities.
Visit the Southward website for details of opening hours and admission charges.
Museum location: Otaihanga Road, off SH1, Between Waikanae and Paraparaumu
Museum website: www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz
The Museum of Aviation
The Museum of Aviaton features displays of New Zealand and pioneer history, general aviation.
- Opening hours: Sundays 10am - 4pm. Other times by arrangement.
- Charges: Free entry, donations welcome.
- Phone: 04 905 2322
Museum location: Next to the Airport Control Tower, Paraparaumu Airport, Kāpiti Road, Paraparaumu
Tramway Museum
Operates a vintage tram service from the McKays Crossing entrance, travelling 1.85 kms to Whareroa Beach and playground area. Ride the trams that once served the public of Wellington. Historical photo display. Click on the link below to find out more about this unique museum and details about its opening hours and admission charges.
Museum location: Queen Elizabeth Park, McKays Crossing entrance, Paekākāriki
Museum website: www.wellingtontrams.org.nz
Steam Incorporated
Relive the days of steam train travel, with these lovingly restored trains on show. Special trips and and train tours are advertised on their website and in the newspapers. For more details on excursions, and museum opening hours, click on the link below.
Museum location: SH1, Just north of the railway station, Paekākāriki
Museum website: www.steaminc.org.nz
The Paekākāriki Rail & Heritage Museum
The museum features displays of railway memorabilia, implement sheds with tools, an early kitchen, local Māori history, historical Paekākāriki photographs, and second Marine Division mementos. Click on the link below for more information on opening hours. Free entry, donations welcome.
Museum location: Railway Station, Main Highway, Paekākāriki
Museum website: Wellington.net.nz