Here in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, you’ll find lots of great outdoorsy things to keep the kids occupied. Go on a bushwalk and find glowworms, waterfalls, have a play by the river and listen to the birdsong, If you’re looking for something nice and easy, head to one of the playgrounds, the Esplanade in Palmerston North is not one to be missed. During the summer, you’ll find that there are some really nice places to cool off in the Manawatu area, so grab your togs and enjoy some time by the river. If it rains, head to the museum to learn more about the history of the region or check out one of the i-Site’s to see where you’re next adventure will take you. Or go explore one of the gardens. With this list of things to do in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, you’ll find lots to do during your time away.
Whanganui
Durie Hill Elevator – built in 1919 to provide residents easy access to the city, this is New Zealand’s only public underground elevator, ride it 66 meters for only $2.
Kowhai Park – a fun playground – the best in Whanganui actually. Start at the parking, then make your way down, climbing over an octopus head and clambering over a dinosaur back then flying through the air on the flying fox and ending at the skate park. There’s so much to do here!
Durie Hill Memorial Tower – walk the 176 steps to the top of the tower for impressive views of the city.
Kai Iwi Beach – a black sand beach that is popular in the summertime for swimming but can be enjoyed year-round with the pirate ship playground and flying fox over the shallow stream and piles of driftwood to climb on.
Castlecliff Beach – a beautiful black sand beach, complete with a playground and skatepark.
Whanganui National Park – there are several walks here or go on a canoe safari along the Whanganui River.
Virginia Lake – a gorgeous outdoor garden park, walk around the lake then have a play at the playground and walk through the free bird aviary with 400 birds from around the world. While you’re there, check out the Winter Garden and Art Garden.
Whanganui River Traders Market – every Saturday morning from 9am – 1pm.
Splash Centre Whanganui – lazy river, spa pools, toddler pools, a lap pool and two hydro slides. Just next door is the bike track.
Springvale Pump Track – this is an easy and fun pump track that the kids will love. There’s junior and senior pump tracks, learn to ride streets with working traffic lights and lots of shaded areas to sit. Bring your bikes or scooters and have fun.
Springvale Cafe – a cafe with a great modern playground.
Lake Wiritoa Whanganui – good for swimming, kayaking and boating. Bring a picnic and enjoy a nice day by the lake. The lake is well stocked with Rainbow trout which come from the Rotorua Hatchery, beginner kids will love getting involved in the “Lake Wiritoa Kids Fish Day Out” which is run by the Wanganui Anglers Club each year at the end of October.
Bason Botanic Gardens – a botanic and architectural gem.
Bridge to Nowhere – a 1hr 30-minute walk to the abandoned bridge to nowhere.
Waimarie Paddle Steamer And Museum – being the only operating coal-fired paddle steamer in New Zealand, this is the best way to see the Whanganui River.
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Palmerston North
Street art – walk around the city and take in the street art.
Victoria Esplanade – rose gardens with more than 5000 roses, conservatory, bush walks, biggest playground in Palmerston North, aviaries, paddling pool, Junior Road Saftey Park and miniature railway running from 1-4pm on the weekend.
Gardens: Cross Hill Garden and Nursery – they have a beautiful collection of rhododendrons and azaleas which will be out on display during the months of October to November. Open everyday September – May. Heritage Park Rhodendron Garden – a magnificent garden. Open year-round but the best time to visit is between mid-September – Dec. Dugald Mckenzie Rose Gardens – voted one of the top five rose gardens in the world.
Te Apiti Wind Farm – get up close and stand directly underneath a turbine and read about how they work. Public viewing platform on Saddle Road 8:30am-5pm daily.
New Zealand Rugby Museum – sports fans will love seeing some of the world’s rarest rugby artefacts.
Walk / bike
Manawatu River Pathway – if you’ve got your bikes, go on a leisurely ride along the river. It’s nice and flat and there are various access points. There’s 10kms of riverside trails, you can hire an electric bike from the i-site in The Square.
Manawatu Gorge Walk – 3 – 5 hours one way to see wind farms, views over the Manawatu Gorge, a 6.2-metre steel sculpture of a Maori chief, while walking through native bush. Organise transport back to your car with Palmerston North i-Site.
Manawatu Gorge Track – native bush, wind farms, views over the Manawatu Gorge. 6.2m steel sculpture of a Maori chief on the Taira Loop Track. gorge walk: 11km one way, 4-5 hours.
Manawatu Gorge Tawa Loop – if you don’t want to bother with organising transport, the Tawa Loop is a great way to see the gorge and only takes 2 hours. Wander through native bush, check out the viewpoints and see the towering sculpture of a Maori warrior.
Sledge Track – go the first part of the track to check out waterfalls, swimming holes and scenic picnic spots. It’s a good family-friendly walk. Afterwards, the track will get steeper and more grilling but will take you to the Elevation and past a couple of old mineshafts. Walking times vary depending on how long you want to walk.
Lido Aquatic Centre – indoor and outdoor pools, slides, and a diving board.
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Manawatu
Walk
Iron Gates Gorge Walk via Stoat Trap Track – through native bush, see a waterfall along the way and to the gorge. Time: 2-3 hour return. Location: end of Pedersons Road, off Table Flat Road.
Ruahine Forest Park – there are several walks, a popular one being the walk to the Rangiwahia Hut where you’ll enjoy amazing views of the hills.
Rangiwahia Hut Track – a steep walk through the bush and to views overlooking the hilly landscape. Takes 1.5 – 3 hours depending on fitness level. This can be a day walk or stay overnight in the 13 bunk hut which will need to be booked beforehand.
Purity Hut Track – a steep climb to a 6 bunk hut with views, taking 3 – 4 hours to get there.
Limestone Creek Reserve Glow Worm Caves – a 600m loop walk, best seen at night or dusk to see the glowworms but can also be seen during the day. Walk through caves, gorges and over a running stream. Location: Table Flat Road, Apiti
Beach / swim / reserve
Himatangi Beach – sand dunes, adventure playground, skating rink and driftwood huts along the beach.
Ahimate Reserve – if you’re looking for a place for your dog to run around or a place to cool off then this is it. The Ahimate Reserve is the city’s most popular riverside stony beach, it’s a dog agility park, has mountain bike tracks and a natural playground (big tree logs, big piles of dirt, low hanging trees, tree huts and nets to climb from tree to tree).
Londons Ford – a stunning picnic spot and place to cool off in the river.
Ruahine Dress Circle Scenic Reserve – popular swimming and picnic spot. There are two waterfalls, one by the swimming hole.
Totara Reserve – camping, walks and swimming.
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Bulls / Taihape
If you’re ever driving through Bulls, have a lookout for the humourous bull signs throughout the town – there’s the Const-a-bull (police station), the Cure-a-bull (medical centre), the Forgive-a-bull (church), the Relieve-a-bull (toilets) and the Read-a-bull (library).
Gumboot Statue – huge, metal gumboot sculpture in Taihape.
Taihape Gumboot Festival – if you’re visiting in March you’ll want to stop in at this festival and be amazed by the number of activities based on gumboots, with the main event being the gumboot throwing championship. Otherwise, there’s a year-round throwing lane you can have a go at and take a selfie by the sign that says, ‘I threw a gumboot in Taihape.’
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