A forest of adrenaline, the site of a historic battle and the birthplace of McDonald’s in New Zealand!

New Zealand is a great place to visit and discover some amazing hidden gems away from the hustle and bustle of the major tourist spots.

Some of them are very accessible too like Porirua, a short 20-minute drive from our nation’s capital of Wellington.

It’s a harbourside town with unique geographical features and plenty of things to do and a great way to spend a day as part of your New Zealand road trip.

The history of Porirua

Like so many of the smaller towns in New Zealand, Porirua has a rich history behind it. Its Maori name is thought to mean “two tides” in reference to its harbour that opens into two arms of the Porirua Inlet and Pauatahanui Inlet.

The town became an important transit point on the railway line between Wellington and Longburn and it experienced a population boom in the 1940s with the development of state housing.

Other notable bits of history include the establishment of the Porirua Lunatic Asylum in the 1880s (the largest in New Zealand at the time) and the country’s first McDonald’s restaurant built in 1976!

Things to do in Porirua

The lunatic asylum and original McDonald’s restaurant have both moved on but there’s still plenty to do in and around the city that’ll please people with a wide variety of interests.

Adrenalin Forest (GO Play discount!)

The No.1 thing to do in Porirua according to TripAdvisor is the experience you can have at Adrenalin Forest, a treetop obstacle course to test even those with nerves of steel.

There are 7 challenging courses to take on at a range of difficulties that start at heights of 1m rising to 31m. If it sounds a little intimidating you’ll be rest assured by the experienced safety instructors and fully appreciate the great views from the canopies of the 50-year-old pine trees.

What’s even better for our customers is that Adrenaline Forest is an exclusive GO Rentals’ partner so visitors receive a 10% discount using your GO Play card!

Battle Hill Forest Park

We’ve already talked a little bit about Porirua’s past but another important historical event that took place was at Battle Hill Forest Park, named after the 1846 battle between Governor Grey’s British troops and Te Rangihaeata.

These days it is a lovely park where visitors can enjoy walks, hikes, mountain biking, horse riding and camping. There’s also a small swimming hole so don’t forget to pack a towel!

Pataka Art + Museum

The Pataka Art + Museum is described as a hidden gem, which kind of makes it a hidden gem within a hidden gem, and it’s a description that’s well warranted.

It’s a museum that showcases some of the best contemporary Maori and Pacific Arts and has a great collection of contemporary New Zealand and international arts and culture.

A host of numerous fascinating exhibitions, there’s also a lovely cafe to enjoy which overlooks a beautiful Japanese Garden.

New Zealand Police Museum

The New Zealand Police Museum has been a presence in Porirua for over 100 years and is a highly rated experience that takes you through the history of police and policing in our country.

It covers major historical events like the Springbok Tour and the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior as well as some of the country’s most notorious crimes.

Porirua Markets

Another thing Porirua has going for it is its markets of which there are plenty to choose from!

The Cobham Court Farmers Market on Saturdays is well known for some of the best craft and produce in the region. The Porirua Saturday Market in the Waitangirua Mall carpark is one to go to for a Polynesian and Asian experience. Last but not least, the Porirua Night Market on the last Thursday of every month (5 pm – 9 pm) features live entertainment and music which creates a great atmosphere to enjoy the local and international cuisine. Yum!

Events and Festivals in Porirua

It’s always good to know if there are any events taking place when visiting as it always adds to the atmosphere and there are a few that take place in Porirua to keep an eye out for.

Rent the perfect car for exploring Porirua

Recommended vehicle for your trip to Porirua

MITSUBISHI ASX

0-1 year(s) old

The Mitsubishi ASX is the perfect car for exploring Porirua with keyless entry, an 8″ touchscreen entertainment and Apple CarPlay.

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5 Seats

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2 small bags

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