Guidebook for Porirua
Arts & Culture
Local and NZ artists and history. There is a shop where you can buy some of the art, a Library and a great cafe.
28 locals recommend
Pataka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana StLocal and NZ artists and history. There is a shop where you can buy some of the art, a Library and a great cafe.
What can I say? It is the national Museum. It has many interactive exhibitions suitable for kids and adults. The ANZAC exhibition with giant sized models of soldiers with every sweat drop showing is mind blowing.
222 locals recommend
Cable Street near Te Papa Museum
What can I say? It is the national Museum. It has many interactive exhibitions suitable for kids and adults. The ANZAC exhibition with giant sized models of soldiers with every sweat drop showing is mind blowing.
This is an awesome exhibition featuring ANZAC. Highly recommend it.
22 locals recommend
National War Memorial Hall of Memories
Taranaki StreetThis is an awesome exhibition featuring ANZAC. Highly recommend it.
Parks & Nature
Walk 1: A very peaceful and beautiful walk alongside a bird sanctuary. Many birds are visible.
Drive to the Pauatahanui village and park at Ground Up Cafe. You can walk as far as you like around the Inlet and return for a coffee!
Walk 2: Walk or drive along the SH1 north over the Paremata Bridge. Turn right into Pascoe Ave and park. Walk around behind the colourful boatsheds that line the harbour. Continue as far as you wish before returning. There are public toilets if you get as far as the waterski lane.
You might like to get a coffee from the cart beside the Paremata Bridge. Public toilets are also beside the bridge.
14 locals recommend
Pauatahanui
Walk 1: A very peaceful and beautiful walk alongside a bird sanctuary. Many birds are visible.
Drive to the Pauatahanui village and park at Ground Up Cafe. You can walk as far as you like around the Inlet and return for a coffee!
Walk 2: Walk or drive along the SH1 north over the Paremata Bridge. Turn right into Pascoe Ave and park. Walk around behind the colourful boatsheds that line the harbour. Continue as far as you wish before returning. There are public toilets if you get as far as the waterski lane.
You might like to get a coffee from the cart beside the Paremata Bridge. Public toilets are also beside the bridge.
Head north. Turn left down Pascoe Ave. This is an easy flat track along the harbour edge to Plimmerton. Very peaceful.
South Beach Road
South Beach RoadHead north. Turn left down Pascoe Ave. This is an easy flat track along the harbour edge to Plimmerton. Very peaceful.
Friends of Mana run trips to Mana Island from Porirua Harbour. Check their website for upcoming trips.
http://www.manaisland.org.nz/visitors-2/
Mana Island
Friends of Mana run trips to Mana Island from Porirua Harbour. Check their website for upcoming trips.
http://www.manaisland.org.nz/visitors-2/
https://www.teararoa.org.nz/wellington/paekakari
Cliff side walk along the coast from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki. Incredible views over the ocean and Kapiti Island.
You can transport by train from both ends. Alternatively drive to one end and catch the train back to your car. Nice cafes and village shops at the Paekakariki end. You can also wander down to the expansive beach at that end of the track.
Pukerua Bay Station
https://www.teararoa.org.nz/wellington/paekakari
Cliff side walk along the coast from Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki. Incredible views over the ocean and Kapiti Island.
You can transport by train from both ends. Alternatively drive to one end and catch the train back to your car. Nice cafes and village shops at the Paekakariki end. You can also wander down to the expansive beach at that end of the track.
Everything Else
Plimmerton has a quaint little seaside village feel.
Drive north on SH1 for 3km, turn left over the railway lines and continue to the roundabout. Find a park along the beach and enjoy a walk. At the very far end of the beach is Hongoeka Marae. Once more, there are some nice little cafes near the roundabout where you can sit in the warm or enjoy a table in the sun.
7 locals recommend
Plimmerton
Plimmerton has a quaint little seaside village feel.
Drive north on SH1 for 3km, turn left over the railway lines and continue to the roundabout. Find a park along the beach and enjoy a walk. At the very far end of the beach is Hongoeka Marae. Once more, there are some nice little cafes near the roundabout where you can sit in the warm or enjoy a table in the sun.
Food Scene
Heading north over Paremata Bridge take take the immediate left into Marina View.
There are some great restaurant/ takeaway options here - Indian, Turkish, Wisconsin Burger and a really good cafe.
From here you can walk on a small track around to the Mana Marina for a wander among the boats and around the beach.
Mana Esplanade
Mana EsplanadeHeading north over Paremata Bridge take take the immediate left into Marina View.
There are some great restaurant/ takeaway options here - Indian, Turkish, Wisconsin Burger and a really good cafe.
From here you can walk on a small track around to the Mana Marina for a wander among the boats and around the beach.
Steyne Avenue
Steyne AvenuePizzeria, restaurant and cafe near the roundabout.
Essentials
New World Paremata
93-97 Mana EsplanadeA supermarket with most items you may need.
Entertainment & Activities
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
2 Wi Neera DrFun miniputt for the family.
http://fergskayaks.co.nz/
Great fun way to get on the harbour. The kids (big and small) will love the indoor rock climbing.
23 locals recommend
Fergs Kayaks
6 Queens Wharfhttp://fergskayaks.co.nz/
Great fun way to get on the harbour. The kids (big and small) will love the indoor rock climbing.
Judgeford Golf Club
328 State Hwy 58Pauatahanui Golf Course
Paekakariki Hill Roadhttp://www.adrenalin-forest.co.nz/
Just down the road. This is a challenging and fun high ropes activity set among the trees. You progress through the difficulty levels. Good for kids old and young!
23 locals recommend
Adrenalin Forest Wellington
Okowai Roadhttp://www.adrenalin-forest.co.nz/
Just down the road. This is a challenging and fun high ropes activity set among the trees. You progress through the difficulty levels. Good for kids old and young!
http://wetaworkshop.com/visit-us/workshop-tours/
Weta workshop create special effects and models for movies - especially well known for Lord of the Rings trilogy.
57 locals recommend
Weta Workshop
21 Camperdown Rdhttp://wetaworkshop.com/visit-us/workshop-tours/
Weta workshop create special effects and models for movies - especially well known for Lord of the Rings trilogy.
http://aquaticsporirua.co.nz/arena-aquatic-centre/
Great pool for the family to enjoy in Porirua.
7 locals recommend
Te Rauparaha Arena and Aquatic Centre
17 Parumoana Sthttp://aquaticsporirua.co.nz/arena-aquatic-centre/
Great pool for the family to enjoy in Porirua.
Getting Around
The train is a great option to explore the area. Use the Tranz Metro web link to find out all information regarding timetables, prices and discount cards such as the Day Rover.
You can park at the station. During peak hour traffic it is quite interesting getting out of the station road so you may wish to park at the bottom of the hill and walk over the over bridge.
It takes 30 minutes to get into Wellington. The Wellington Railway station is a beautiful old building. From there it easy to walk and discover much of our compact city. The water front is particularly beautiful.
Heading north to Paraparaumu, the train skirts the sea, running along cliffs and through tunnels.
Paremata Station
The train is a great option to explore the area. Use the Tranz Metro web link to find out all information regarding timetables, prices and discount cards such as the Day Rover.
You can park at the station. During peak hour traffic it is quite interesting getting out of the station road so you may wish to park at the bottom of the hill and walk over the over bridge.
It takes 30 minutes to get into Wellington. The Wellington Railway station is a beautiful old building. From there it easy to walk and discover much of our compact city. The water front is particularly beautiful.
Heading north to Paraparaumu, the train skirts the sea, running along cliffs and through tunnels.