Foxton

Foxton provides something of interest for every visitor - a variety of parks and reserves, businesses, cafes, speciality shops, a Saturday morning market and renowned collectibles and second-hand stores. Meanwhile, Foxton Beach is a real Kiwi coastal destination with a long sandy beach ideal for swimming, fishing and many other water activities.

Both communities and their laid-back lifestyles can be sampled and enjoyed by holiday-makers all year round.  Foxton is conveniently located on State Highway 1, about 15 minutes north of Levin, while Foxton Beach is only a five minute-drive west.

As you travel around Foxton you will find a whole host of attractions to visit. Take time to visit the world-class museums housed at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom. The newly opened centre houses the Piriharakeke Generation Inspiration Centre which provides insight into the lives of local maori, and houses the Oranjehof Dutch Connection Centre which showcases the stories and treasures of one of Aotearoa’s largest migrant groups – the NZ Dutch community. While there, visit the Whare Manaaki a Maori art gallery and workshop. To get an insight into one of Foxton’s age old industries, head to the Flax Museum. Here you will see demonstrations of how flax was stripped and used in New Zealand and internationally.

Throughout Foxton you will spot large scale murals that capture the feeling of Foxton’s yesteryears. The most noticeable attraction is the De Molen Windmill. Opened in 2003, this is a fully working exact replica of a Dutch windmill, and houses a Dutch shop. Right next to deMolen is a Dutch cafe. Foxton’s Horse Drawn Tramcar offers rides each Sunday from 11.00am. Also, check out Foxton’s antique cinema, photo and gramophone museum MAVtech (visit www.mavtech.org.nz for a current schedule of its open days). The Manawatu Estuary is a world-renowned conservation area with Ramsar status and is a popular spot for bird watching.

Here’s an example of a convenient two-day itinerary:  Saturday morning: Have fun in a challenging game of mini golf.

Saturday afternoon: Enjoy some lunch at a local cafe and at the end of the day, enjoy a relaxing stroll on the walkways like Piriharakeke or the stunning sunsets along Foxton Beach or travel back in time with a visit to the MAVtech museum.

Sunday morning: Visit the Manawatu Estuary and observe the amazing variety of wading and shore birds from the purpose-built bird watching hut. Or, take a walk to the mouth of the Manawatu river where it meets the Tasman sea.

Sunday afternoon: Visit working flour mill De Molen, take a ride on the Horse Drawn Tram. Afterwards, visit the Dutch market on State Highway 1.

Horowhenua District Council, 126/128 Oxford Street | Ph: 06 366 0999