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:
Otaki Museum
49 Main Street Otaki.
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
Hyde Park Museum
Te Horo, Corner SH1 and Te Horo Beach Road.
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
The Kapiti Coast Museum
9 Elizabeth Street, Waikanae
A wonderful collection of colonial life, including post & telegraph memorabilia. Click here for more information on the museum and lots of fascinating details about the collection.
Southward Car Museum
Otaihanga Road, off SH1, Between Waikanae and Paraparaumu
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.
The Museum of Aviation
Next to the Airport Control Tower, Paraparaumu Airport, Kapiti Road, Paraparaumu
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
Tramway Museum
Queen Elizabeth Park, McKays Crossing entrance, Paekakariki
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 here to find out more about this unique museum and details about its opening hours and admission charges.
Steam Incorporated
SH1, Just north of the railway station, Paekakariki
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 here.
The Paekakariki Rail & Heritage Museum
Railway Station, Main Highway, Paekakariki Features displays of railway memorabilia, implement sheds with tools, an early kitchen, local Maori history, historical Paekakariki photographs, and second Marine Division mementos. Click here for more information on opening hours. Free entry, donations welcome.