Porirua & Plimmerton Holiday Activities

Arts & Museums

• Pataka Museum of Arts & Cultures
  Parumoana St - CBD. One of NZ's leading galleries of Maori, Pacific & NZ contemporary art
  
  
• New Zealand Police Museum
  Papakowhai Road. Showcasing the history of policing in NZ, lots of fun for the kids
  
  
• Porirua Hospital Museum
  Kenepuru Drive. Tuesday afternoons only, tracking the history of psychiatric treatment in NZ

• Mainline Steam
  Plimmerton railway station. Open Saturdays. Restoration and operation of heritage steam trains
  
  
• Scene@Plimmerton
  Steyne Ave. Art, jewellery, books and gifts
  
  
• Bay Gallery
  School Road, Plimmerton. Art & photography

Beaches & Watersports

• Titahi Bay Beach
  Sandy, safe swimming, surfing, fishing & rock-pools
  
  
• Dolly Varden Beach, Mana
  Sandy, safe swimming, small yachts & kayaking|
  
  
• Ngati Toa Domain, Mana
  Sandy & safe swimming

• Plimmerton Beach
  Sandy, safe swimming, fishing, wind & kite surfing
  
  
• Karehana Bay, Plimmerton
  Sandy, safe swimming, fishing & rock-pools
  
  
• Pukerua Bay
  Stony, swimming

Walkways & Cycleways

• Te Ara Piko, Pauatahanui Inlet
  1.8km of native salt marshes and wetland
  
  
• Camborne Walkway, Dolly Varden Beach, Mana
  Sheltered flat walkway on shores of Pauatahanui Inlet
  
  
• Colonial Knob, Elsdon
  1.76km native bush walk, steep, gravel, stairs & bridges to top of Colonial Knob, rewarded with stunning views
  
  
• DOC Reserve & Spicer Botanical Park
  Broken Hill Road. Short walk through lowland forests to two historic man-made lakes

• Ara Harakeke
  Paremata railway station or Pukerua Bay shops. 8.7km walkway/cycleway from Pukerua Bay to Paremata; easy family outing through scenic and historical sites
  
  
• Taua Tapu Track, Plimmerton
  1.5km gravel & grass track, views of Mana Island, Porirua Harbour, South Island
  
  
• Whitby Walkway, Discovery Drive
  4km stretch of 15km network through Whitby's hills; spectacular views of Porirua's rural hills & valleys & harbour
  
  
• Whitireia Park
  Onepoto Road, Titahi Bay. 4.2km, flat, coastal path through farmland

Visitor Attractions

• Arena Aquatic Centre
  Parumoana St, CBD. Wave pool, hydro slide, lazy river, numerous water jets, lane swimming, sauna, spa pools & cafe
  
  
• Pirate's Cove Adventure Mini-Golf
  Wi Neera Drive, CBD. Putt over pirate ships, past cascading waterfalls, through caves & past shark-infested waters
  
  
• Strike Entertainment Centre
  Kenepuru Drive. Tenpin bowling and arcade games
  
  
• Readlings Cinemas
  North Shore Shopping Centre, CBD. Hollywood blockbusters in comfort

• Lighthouse Cinema
  Pauatahanui Village. Casual, relaxed boutique theatre
  
  
• North City Indoor Go-Karting
  Raiha St, Elsdon. NZ's fastest indoor sprint karts on NZ's longest track
  
  
• Paintball Adventure Challenge
  Mohuia Cres, Elsdon. Fun combat game using the latest technology weapons & environmentally safe, non-stain vegetable dyes
  
  
• Aotea Lagoon
  Papakowhai Road. Popular, sheltered family-friendly park with lagoon, playground, rose gardens, picnic areas, and on fine Sundays, a ride-on kids' train

Shopping Centres

• North City Shopping Centre, CBD
  One of the region's most popular shopping destinations under one roof, with a relaxed vibe for retail therapy and something for everyone
  
  
• Megacentre, CBD
  Big-fbox retail centre featuring some of NZ's most popular stores and plenty of free parking

• Mana Eslanade
  Quirky interiors stores, gift shops, café, bar with great views of the harbour entrance & dunes
  
  
• Plimmerton
  Seaside village shops with galleries, vintage-clothing stores, cafés and restaurants

Golf Courses

• Titahi Bay Golf Club
  Gloaming Hill, Titahi Bay. Home course of 2005 US Open Champion Michael Campbell. Fantastic views of Paremata, Mana Island and the South Island
  
  
• Judgeford Golf Club
  SH58, Pauatahanui. The course combines varied features that provide an interesting and challenging test for golfers of all ages and abilities

• Pauatahanui Golf Club
  Paekakariki Hill Road. The ten-hole layout is ideal for the new golfer while still a test for more seasoned players