Foxton brings together museums and heritage with walks by the Manawatū River. When choosing where to stay, you can focus on different experiences: stories and technology, Dutch cuisine, or walks through the town and along the riverbank.
Museums, heritage and technology
Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom features museums and exhibitions about the stories of Te Awahou–Foxton and people with connections to the area. At Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park, you’ll find the Whare-Manaaki workshop, which showcases traditional Māori art, as well as the Flax Stripper Museum. The themes range from local history and art to the collections that shape Foxton’s cultural and technological offerings.
MAVtech is a museum of audio and video technology in Foxton. Its extensive collection includes radios, cameras, film and projection equipment, recorded sound and phonographs. On a MAVtech Opening Day, the collection is demonstrated and classic short films are screened in the cinema. If you’d like to experience this programme, check the event dates in advance.
The Foxton Community Hub is a centre for heritage and the natural environment, as well as a meeting place for visitors and the community. It offers insights into Te Awahou–Foxton and its people. Together with the museums, it makes for a cultural offering that highlights both specific collection items and the stories of the place.
De Molen and Dutch cuisine
At De Molen, you can explore several aspects of the local offering. De Molen Café serves Dutch dishes and specialities. The Dutch Deli sells artisan cheeses; flour is also stone-ground on site and offered for sale. Menus and products may change, so it’s worth checking if a particular dish or product is important to you.
Explore Foxton on foot
The walks vary in length, route and theme. The Foxton Historic Walk is an easy 2.55-kilometre walking route. It starts on Duncan Street and follows the signs to information points through Foxton. The 2.12-kilometre Foxton Town River Loop Amble starts at the war memorial and runs along Main Street, Clyde Street and Harbour Street to Seaview Gardens.
The Te Awahou Board Walk is 670 metres long and passes through the distinctive plant life along the riverbank. The Piriharakeke Walkway offers views of the Manawatū River loop and the farmland. Historic signs and photographs tell the story of the area. Both walks combine views of the landscape with different insights into their surroundings.
The River Loop Amble & Flax Walkway follows a grassy track along the banks of the Manawatū River. To the north, it connects with the Te Awahou Board Walk; to the south, it links the Flax Walk with the start of the Piriharakeke Track. Along the way, you can explore Foxton’s history and culture. Conditions on all of these walks can change, so check them before setting out.
Getting there and further afield
Foxton is on State Highway 1 and is served regularly by public transport from major city centres. Check timetables and services for your specific journey.
In the wider Horowhenua District, Papaitonga Scenic Reserve has a short, easy track around a dune lake, with views and opportunities for birdwatching. The reserve is also an important refuge for birds that depend on wetlands or lowland forests. In Levin, Muaūpoko Park offers views of Lake Horowhenua (Punahau) and has a playground. These examples broaden the picture of Foxton with distinct attractions in the Horowhenua District.
Discover more destinations: Levin.
Go to the wider travel overview: Horowhenua District.
