World-class car collection in Ka¯piti’s backyard
Loved for its stunning coastline and landscapes, Ka¯piti is a special place for both people and cars.
While the Expressway can fill with traffic on a bad day, a different kind of car collection sits just a few kilometres away: the largest car museum in the Southern Hemisphere, located right here in Paraparaumu’s backyard.
With over 450 cars and 100 motorbikes, plus other interesting exhibits on New Zealand’s motoring history, the Southward Car Museum is both a local institution and a world-renowned destination.
From viewing the bullet holes in American gangster Mickey Cohen’s 1950 Cadillac to examining New Zealand’s oldest car, petrolheads will find so much to explore, with displays ranging from local treasures to rare items you won’t find anywhere else.
Starting with the purchase of a Model T Ford in 1956, museum founder Sir Len Southward grew his fascination with cars into a full-time occupation – and his vision for creating one of the world’s best car collections is now maintained by the Southwards Charitable Trust.
Whether it’s been a while since you last visited or you’ve never been, there’s always something new to experience at the Southward Car Museum, with new exhibits, updated displays and regular events like ‘Coffee and Cars’ on the second Sunday of each month from October 2018 – March 2019.
Attracting visitors from around the world, with a recent survey indicating that over 50 per cent were international visitors, it’s little wonder that comments in the visitors book often state ‘‘Amazing collection’’ and ‘‘Best car museum we have ever been to’’.
More than just a museum though, it’s an entertainment venue with facilities including expansive grounds, a bushwalk and beautiful lake, a theatre for performances and function rooms for meetings. Make sure to stop at the coffee and souvenir shop for a flat white to keep you going or to grab a memento of your time here.
Southward Car Museum is at 250 Otaihanga Road, Paraparaumu.
Open seven days from 9am to 4.30pm. Phone 04 297 1221 for function room inquiries or group bookings, or visit www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz for more information.