Porirua: Harbour, art and nature

Porirua brings together an extensive harbour, hilly landscapes, walking trails and a museum of art and culture. This makes it an interesting destination for a trip combining activities on the water and excursions into the countryside with cultural discoveries. The holiday accommodation in Porirua that suits you best therefore depends above all on which of these aspects you want to focus on during your stay.

Harbour and water sports

Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour is entirely enclosed by Porirua. Its two arms extend in different directions: one reaches east towards Pāuatahanui, the other south towards Porirua City. Together with the coastal beaches to the west, the large harbour offers opportunities for swimming, boating and water sports. If you like to plan your trip around the water, these activities are among the signature experiences to consider when planning. If you also want to make time for art and walking, Porirua has ideas for those too.

Hills, forest and sweeping views

At Rangituhi/Colonial Knob, the landscape is steep and hilly, rising to 468 metres above sea level. Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve and the adjoining Porirua Scenic Reserve protect the largest remaining area of native forest in the Tawa–Porirua Basin. An excursion into this landscape therefore takes in both the ridgelines and an important forest area.

From the summit of Rangituhi/Colonial Knob, the views stretch far and wide: south to the Inland Kaikoura Range and northwest to Mt Taranaki. You can also look out over the drowned river valleys of Porirua Harbour. This perspective connects the hilly landscape with the extensive waterways. Visitors can also walk to the 19th-century reservoirs in the Scenic Reserve—a different destination from the summit viewpoint if you are interested in the historic reservoirs.

Walking trails and active excursions

The Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Walking Track runs through Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve. It connects the entrance on Broken Hill Road with the entrance on Raiha Street to Porirua Scenic Reserve. The two entrances provide clear reference points for the trail, which passes through the reserve. When choosing excursions to specific destinations, you can distinguish between this trail, a walk to the reservoirs and the view from the summit.

Another option for an active excursion is Adrenalin Forest in Porirua. It is the only outdoor adventure park in the lower North Island. It complements the nature experiences around the hills and forest with a different kind of outdoor activity. When planning your trip, you can weigh up whether you are especially drawn to adventures like this, walks or water sports, rather than trying to fit all the experiences into the same excursion.

Art and culture at Pātaka

Pātaka Art + Museum presents contemporary Māori and Pacific art, as well as contemporary New Zealand, Asian and international art and culture. Its offerings provide insight into a range of artistic and cultural perspectives. The institution began when Porirua Museum and Page 90 Art Gallery needed more space. Porirua City proposed combining them at the current site. Pātaka officially opened in September 1998 and was given the name Pātaka Museum of Arts and Culture later that same year. Today it is called Pātaka Art + Museum.

More places to discover: Whareama, Otaki, Featherston, Bidwells Cutting, Ponatahi, Clareville, Paraparaumu Beach, Paraparaumu.

For the broader travel overview: Wellington.