Pahiatua Activities You Can’t Miss
Want to experience a piece of classic rural New Zealand? Pahiatua is a great place to start! The large town between Masterton and Woodville has plenty to offer from cultural experiences, such as maraes and sheep shearing, so historic sights with a couple of fascinating museums! The town itself is a treat with beautiful gardens and tree-lined streets packed with shops and cafes. Pahiatua is at least worth a pitstop on your way through the North Island, so take a look at the things to do in Pahiatua in the list below!
If you want to explore the wider Tararua area where Pahiatua is based, then check out the things to do in these surrounding towns:
1. Enjoy Pahiatua Main Street
Pahiatua has plenty going on! Relax in one of the Pahiatua Main Street gardens, check out the shops, and have a bite to eat at one of the cafes and eateries. See heritage buildings turned restaurants and find a wide range of cuisine from Asian to classic Kiwi. You might even be lucky to catch one of the market days.
Location: Main Street.
© Paullea on Wikipedia2. Check Out the Pahiatua Railcar Centre
Situated at the Pahiatua Railway Station, the Pahiatua Railcar Museum holds restored railcars. The Pahiatua Railcar Society also runs railway excursions, so pop in to see when their next trip is!
Location: 2km (1.2 miles) west of Pahiatua. Pahiatua Railway Station.
© Matthew25187 at English Wikipedia3. Shear Sheep at Bazza’s Baas
What would a trip to New Zealand be without shearing a sheep? Bazza’s Baas provides a hands-on woolshed experience with sheep shearing demonstrations and do-it-yourselves. See more than 20 different breeds of sheep and even learn how the wool is spun into yarn.
Location: 414 Ballance Valley Road, RD 3.
© Pixabay4. Visit the Pahiatua Museum
Learn about days gone by in the Pahiatua & Districts Museum. The museum displays relics from old local schools, clubs and more. Find the museum open on Sundays 2pm-4pm.
Location: 33 Sedcole Street.
© Pixabay5. Go Off-roading at the Costa Plenty 4×4 Vehicle park
This one’s for the Kiwis with their own 4×4 vehicle. Put your vehicle to the test at the Costa Plenty 4×4 Park located in the Puketoi Ranges. There’s a great mix of difficult and easy tracks. There needs to be a minimum of three vehicles using the park and at least one winch! Contact Sue & Laurie for access: 027 2466133.
Location: RD 9.
© Pixabay6. Visit the Pahiatua Marae
Visitors are welcome to this beautifully carved whare (meeting house) at the Pahiatua Marae with prior arrangement. If you are interested in learning about the Maori culture in Pahiatua, this is the place to go! Contact Putiputi at 06 376 7716. Learn more about visiting marae in Maori Etiquette: What to do When Visiting a Marae.
Location: Riccarton Road.
© NZPocketGuide.comMore Things to Do Near Pahiatua
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)
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