Map of Helensville

The pioneer town of Helensville has plenty to offer those looking to get a taste of New Zealand history while enjoying true pioneering hospitality at its best.

Walk along the main drag of this town and you can't help but be taken back in time to when early settlers arrived and started building the railway to move timber, among other things, to the city. Helensville was built on the back of the timber trade.

There are plenty of places to eat and stay, there's a supermarket and some very interesting architecture as well as antique stores for that perfect gift or unique item for your own home.

Known as the best little museum in the west, the Helensville Pioneer Museum - inside a wonderful period cottage - provides visitors with a real taste of life before cars, supermarkets and electricity. Inside this tiny cottage you can visit a colonial parlour, enjoy a traditional afternoon tea and go in an original historic courthouse.

In the kauri room you can learn about the big part timber played in the origins of the area and listen to recordings of the old timers talking about life in the ‘good old days’.

The district also offers some great walking tracks – including the very enjoyable riverbank walkway. Take a stroll along the boardwalk sit in the shade of one of the kauri trees and marvel at how this native wood was the backbone of this wonderful and interesting village.

And don't forget the wonderful gardens and stately homes you can visit too. When it’s time to take time out, make time for Helensville. It's yours to discover.

Things to see and do

• Play golf

• Harbour views and cruises

• Hot pools

• Pioneer Museum

• Garden visits

• Relaxing walkways

• A&P Show every February / March

• i-Site

Helensville website