Manawatu-Wanganui

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DISCOVER THE BEST OF MANAWATU-WANGANUI

Manawatu-Wanganui is one of the most important agricultural and pastoral regions in New Zealand. The land is rich and fertile and is occupied by thousands of farm-steads. This status was recognised when the government opened the Massey Agricultural College in the 1920s. The Wanganui District, one of New Zealand’s oldest settled lands, is fairly rugged, with canyon valleys and gorges carved out of the soft rock by rivers and ocean waves, whereas the Manawatu District has a much gentler topography, consisting mainly of the flat, tree covered Manawatu Plains that run between the ranges and the sea.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REGION

  • Rural Towns – There are many towns in the region that encapsulate the charming nature and character of New Zealand and its inhabitants. Kimbolton is set above the Manawatu Plains and offers superb views of Kapiti Island alongside being world famous for its rhododendron gardens. Norsewood flaunts and is proud of its Scandinavian heritage. There is a Nordic clothing shop, as well as an organic goat cheese factory and the unique ‘Troll Stroll’. Feilding is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful towns and holds the biggest stock auctions in the Southern Hemisphere. Bulls is a quaint rural town named after an early English settler where you can find cute cafés and unique shopping. Mangatainoka is home to the famous Tui brewery… Just to name a few!
  • Wanganui River – It is the second largest river in the North Island and the longest travelable waterway in the country, spanning 290 kilometres from the heights of Mt Tongariro to Wanganui’s coast and the Tasman Sea. The Maori regard the river with deep spiritual respect and at every bend and rapid of the river, listed at 239, there is a ‘guardian’, or ‘kaitiaki’, who maintains the ‘life force’ of that stretch of the river. Generations of river tribes have learned to use and protect this great treasure and in recent years the river has been awarded a legal identity and is the first of its kind in the world. Today, the Wanganui River and the surrounding environment is used for recreational activities including kayaking, cycling and camping. A national cycleway has recently opened, which takes cyclists from the ‘Mountains to the Sea’.
  • Natural Retreat – The region is perfect for those looking for a ‘natural’ retreat away from the city. Stop at the Herb Farm for a feel-good experience where you can buy and create natural body products free from chemicals. Visit ‘Owlcatraz’, a wildlife park featuring rare animals native to New Zealand, including ‘morepork’ and ‘ruru’ owls and alpaca. Journey through Wanganui National Park and seek out the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. You can also go to a real ‘livestock auction’, which is one of New Zealand’s oldest traditions, and experience the excitement of the auction. There is something for every day of your escape!
  • Country Road – A popular way to discover the region and beyond is via the ‘Country Road’. It takes you off the main highways of Manawatu and the surrounding area by cutting through the back roads, essentially the scenic route. There are a few different routes to explore, each with their own attractions on the way. Stormy Point Route is a great alternative to traveling the highway between Taupo and Wellington. It boasts great lookout points over ancient river terraces and connects you with the townships of Feilding and Palmerston North City. Peep-O-Day Route is the first place in the area to see the morning sun and is equally as scenic. Pohangina Valley Route navigates a vast valley located at the foot of the Ruahine Mountain Ranga, travelling by Totara Reserve Regional Park. Finally, the Iron Gates Experience journeys through a secluded section of northern Manawatu with sites for horse trekking, hiking, camping and many natural attractions.

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City life does not dominate here, given that half of the population lives outside Wanganui and Palmerston North, the two main urban areas, mostly in small rural towns and settlements. This makes this region all the better to delve deep into the wilderness and absorb the spectacular views on offer, with its many outstanding national parks and mountain ranges. However, in the vibrant student city of Palmerston North you can explore the world’s first museum devoted to rugby as well as beautiful public gardens including one of the world’s top rose gardens, for example, alongside all the usual excellent amenities of urban life that New Zealand has to offer. Wanganui is also renowned for its passionate arts community.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

  • Enjoy Whanganui’s vibrant arts scene, which includes fine arts, graphic design, photography, glass blowing and fashion. Visit the Sarjeant Art Gallery, celebrated for its neo-classical architecture and magnificent exhibitions.
  • Climb Memorial Tower, from which you can see the city, volcanic mountains and the Tasman Sea, or ride Whanganui’s historic Durie Hill elevator. Built in 1919, it is one of only two earth-bound elevators in the world.
  • Explore the Whanganui Regional Museum, recognised for its outstanding collection of Maori treasures and Lindauer portraits of Maori people in the late 1800s.
  • Visit the historic Maori town of Ratanan, where the population swells during the annual pilgrimage of followers of the ‘Ratana’ faith.
  • The Coach House in Manawatu is a horse-drawn era museum giving insight into the life of our early pioneers through their stories, photos and the transportation they used to settle Manawatu and New Zealand.
  • Not far away in Horowhenua you can find unusual attractions such as a farm devoted to Clydesdales and a fully operational Dutch windmill.
  • Notable events hosted here include the lively motorcycle Cemetery Circuit Street Races and the Mountains to Sea Multisport, a 270km undertaking across forest trails.

A collection of our special photos from around MANAWATU-WANGANUI

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