Discover Levin

Levin appeals to travellers with a range of interests: parks and play facilities sit alongside gardens, cultural attractions and trails in forest areas. If you’re looking for a hotel in Levin, you can tailor your plans to the places that matter most to your stay. The following distinctions give you a clear overview of the options locally and across the wider Horowhenua District destination.

Parks and play facilities in Levin

Muaūpoko Park is a landscaped park on Lake Horowhenua (Punahau), with lake views and a playground. You can reach the park on foot via the entrance on Queen Street; vehicle access cannot be guaranteed. The lake in the park is not suitable for swimming, and motorboats are not permitted there.

Levin Adventure Park offers a wide range of play and activity options, including a flying fox, wobble drums, rope course, climbing wall and fitness trail, as well as a mini ball court, skate area, sand volleyball court, accessible swings and pétanque courts. There is also a separate dog exercise area. Children under five have a brightly designed play area; other play equipment is intended for all age groups. The Rotary-operated miniature railway offers free rides from 12 pm to 2 pm on weekends and during the holidays. As facilities and rides may change, check the details and availability before your visit.

Forest trails and views

Prouse Bush Reserve is in Levin’s south-eastern industrial and residential areas and has short walking trails. Its features include preserved podocarp forest and a picnic area; it is about a five-minute drive from central Levin.

The steep climb to Kohitere Trig is a different proposition: it is about 2 km long and takes approximately 60 minutes to reach the summit. From the top, panoramic views extend beyond Horowhenua, south to Kapiti Island and north to Mount Ruapehu. Kohitere Trig provides access to Tararua Forest Park via Kohitere Forest. The Kohitere Trig track also connects with the Mangahao-Makahika Track towards Palmerston North and forms part of the Te Araroa Trail.

Access to Kohitere Forest is across private land; public access is considered a privilege granted by the landowner. Before visiting, follow current signage and check track conditions before setting out. This helps distinguish the steep climb from the short trails at Prouse Bush Reserve.

Gardens, history and culture

Nola Simpson Rose Garden surrounds the historic Levin Courthouse, built in 1903, and features numerous rose varieties. The garden is named after Nola Simpson, an award-winning rose breeder from New Zealand. Thompson House Park, on the grounds of the historic Thompson House, offers another combination of green space and history. It has botanical attractions year-round. The park first received Green Flag accreditation in 2018/2019 and has received it every year since.

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō brings together library services and facilities and services for the community, business, young people and tourism in the heart of Levin. As a cultural and community centre, it also combines recreational, cultural, learning, digital and social offerings. This sets it apart from the gardens: its focus is on a range of community and cultural functions.

Everyday life and day trips

Levin’s shopping options include second-hand shops, outlet stores and antique shops. Fresh produce is sold at roadside stalls; the availability of individual stalls may vary. For travel between Levin, Waitārere Beach, Foxton, Foxton Beach and Shannon, the Day Out In Town bus service offers low-cost rides every Friday. Check the current timetable before travelling.

Across the wider Horowhenua District destination, Papaitonga Scenic Reserve offers a distinctive nature experience: a short, easy path leads around a dune lake, with views and opportunities for birdwatching. The reserve is an important refuge for birds that depend on wetlands or lowland forests. This information about the nature destination refers to Horowhenua District; it does not describe Muaūpoko Park or other places in Levin. Track conditions may change.

Discover more destinations: Foxton

View the overview of the wider destination: Horowhenua District.