Activities in Foxton and Foxton Beach
Foxton and Foxton Beach are only a 5-minute drive apart located in the Horowhenua district of Manawatu-Whanganui. This quaint town is famous for its history, art, its long-stretching beach and even touch of Dutch influence! If you’re intrigued to get off the beaten track and discover this little town for yourself, make sure you add this list of things to do in Foxton to your must-do list!
This list gives you all the things to do within walking distance of Foxton and Foxton Beach. If you have a vehicle and are eager to explore the surrounding area, why not check out our 10 Things to Do in Levin and 5 Things to Do in Shannon? And don’t forget to explore the main hub of the region, Palmerston North!
1. Take a Day Trip to Foxton Beach
Foxton Beach is a recreational paradise, from 4×4 driving, horse riding, swimming, surfing and taking long strolls. However, if you don’t have any of your own gear for the above activities, why not try kite landboarding or wakeboarding? Wind Warriors is based in Foxton Beach and will kit you up with lessons and all the right gear.
Location: Foxton Beach.
2. Visit the De Molen Windmill
Get the Dutch experience right here in New Zealand with the De Molen Windmill! This 17th-century fully-operational replica windmill with a Dutch market on the ground floor, full of yummy Dutch food and flour milled right here at the mill. Take a self-guided tour to the upper levels of the windmill to see the working parts of the mill.
Location: 96a Main Street.
3. Check Out the Mavtech Museum
Step back in time on a journey through audio and visual history at this National Museum of Audio Visual Arts & Sciences. Check out film projectors, phonographs, radios, cameras and more dating back over 100 years. The museum is free-entry (or by donation), which is open weekends 2-4pm.
Location: Avenue Road.
4. See a New Zealand Flax Mill
The Foxton Flax Stripper Museum tells the story of how Maori and Europeans have utilised native New Zealand flax for use in textiles for centuries. Learn about the history of this unique industry and even see a flax stripping machine. The Foxton Flax Stripper Museum is open daily at 1-3pm except during June and July.
Location: Harbour Street.
4. Walk the Te Awahou Boardwalk
Follow this boardwalk along the riverbanks of the Manawatu River seeing an abundance of plants and beautiful riverside scenery. The walk is 10 minutes one way. Check out more walks in the wider area in 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North.
Location: At the northern end of the River Loop Reserve. The track starts at the end of Wharf Street.
5. Try Some Wakeboarding
Foxton has its very own wakeboarding park at the Off The Loop Wake Park. The wake park has two cable systems and the opportunity to try wakeboarding, water skiing, stand-up paddleboarding and more!
Location: 10 Stewart Street.
More Things to Do Near Foxton
- 10 Best Hotels in Palmerston North
- 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North
- 12 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Manawatu
That’s it for the best things to do in Foxton. For more activities on your travels, check out the 51 Best Things to Do in the North Island.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Manawatū & Palmerston North (Regional tourism website)
- Palmerston North City Council (Local council website)
- Manawatu District Council (Local council website)
- Horizons Regional Council (Local council website)
- Horowhenua District Council (Local council website)
- Visit Rangitīkei (Regional tourism website)
- Rangitīkei District Council (Local council website)
- Tararua.com (Regional tourism website)
- Tararua District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
About The Author
Laura S.
This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.