A Memory Lane for Grandparents, Children and Petrol Heads
Southward Car Museum, Sir Len Southward, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, collections, electric cars, vintage cars, Paraparaumu, Kapiti
Just 45 minutes north from Wellington is Southward Car Museum - an iconic part of the Coast. Thanks to the vision and passion of Sir Len Southward, for 30 years people have come to view a private collection of cars considered one of the best and biggest in the world. Only when you step into the building will you realise why 40,000 people per year visit Southward. View the 350 cars and the motorcycles, bicycles, three aircraft, fire engines and other interesting collections.
It's Coast Time
Southward Car Museum
W:www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz
A: Otaihanga Road (off State Highway One), Paraparaumu
T: 04 297 1221
E:southward@kapiti.co.nz
Opening: 9am - 4.30pm
Entry charges: Adults $12 Children $2 (5 to15years)
A must see back-to-the-future exhibit is two electric cars. The older model built in 1918 has a top speed of 20mph and a range of 30 miles! Southward Manager, Sue Beissel, used it as her wedding car 36 years ago. "It was slow, silent and different," she recalls.
Symbols of romance, social status and power, these individual exhibits in perfect working order are, as a collection, priceless. The museum is a memory lane for grandparents, parents and children, and a visual playground for petrol-heads with a sense of history.
The 6000sqm exhibition building contains engineering workshops, a gift shop and a restaurant with delicious affordable meals for visitors. There's also a 474-seat theatre with a 1929 Wurtlitzer originally from the Auckland Civic Theatre.
The place rests within a six-hectare park-like garden. Its manicured lawns are an ideal place to have a picnic. A break at the restaurant or a walk around the grounds is a pleasant way to refresh yourself before going back for a second look at the collection. There's just too much to take in at one go. Many opt to stay over-night for a second visit and the Nature Coast offers excellent motels and B&Bs.
- cultural
- long term
- single
- family
- small group
- large group
What a fantastic display of transport history right here in my own backyard. It is places like Southwards that makes me proud to be a local - Sam, Waikanae
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