1 / 3Southward Car Museum
📍 Otaihanga, Wellington
One of the Southern Hemisphere's largest private vehicle collections — over 400 exhibits across 6,000m² including pre-1950s classics, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a Nissan Skyline R34, and a full dedicated motorcycle floor.
Wow - this is a massive collection of cars, and all were beautifully presented. My husband has been a car fan his whole life and he was delighted by this exceptional collection. Predominately pre-1950’s. I enjoyed the many tiny and small cars such as the Trabby and Isetta along with numerous other odd balls I’ve never seen in all the years of visiting car shows and museums. Fun stuff. Of course the numerous giant sized Limos were impressive. The story of how the Southward museum came to be was included and very nicely done.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for car-enthusiast adults and curious children who respond to scale and variety. The micro-car section fascinates younger visitors; the rare marques floor holds adults for well over an hour. Allow two hours minimum. The children's playground provides a break mid-visit.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,873 Google reviews
Kirperch
a month ago
“Wow - this is a massive collection of cars, and all were beautifully presented. My husband has been a car fan his whole life and he was delighted by this exceptional collection. Predominately pre-1950’s. I enjoyed the many tiny and small cars such as the Trabby and Isetta along with numerous other odd balls I’ve never seen in all the years of visiting car shows and museums. Fun stuff. Of course the numerous giant sized Limos were impressive. The story of how the Southward museum came to be was included and very nicely done.”
Neel Kumar
2 months ago
“Iam a car lover and this was the perfect place for me. Loved every bit of it. I was so mesmerized by the cars and the efforts that have been put in to bring these cars back to life. Spend some quality time looking at all the motorcycles. Would love to come bk again. Its amazing to see that there is such a car museum in NZ. Definitely a must stop for car enthusiasts.”
Sivakumar Sambasivam
3 months ago
“A perfect place for car lovers. Great collection of vintage cars. Also one full floor for motorcycles too. Spend time to understand the significance of your loved brand. Brands available are GM, Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Masseratti, Rolls Royce, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover etc etc”
caroline caroline
2 months ago
“Highly recommended, especially if you love cars. From classic vintage cars to discontinued models, so many vehicles are all gathered in one place. It’s a fun place for kids to look around, and for those in their 40s and above, it’s a wonderful spot to relive old memories. I definitely recommend visiting this place!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Southward Car Museum holds 400+ vehicles in a purpose-built facility on the Kāpiti Coast. Pre-1950s vehicles dominate — Trabants, Isettas, and rare micro-cars sit alongside Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, Rolls Royces, and a Nissan Skyline R34. A full floor is dedicated to motorcycles. On-site café, children's playground, souvenir shop, and free parking for 200+ vehicles. Monthly coffee-and-car meetings are held on site, typically on the second Sunday of each month.
