Visiting the beautiful city of Whanganui?

OVERNIGHT ARTS & HERITAGE in WHANGANUI 1 DAY OR SELF-DRIVE

WHANGANUI RIVER ROAD HERITAGE

Whanganui is one of the original cities of New Zealand with cultural and river tourism beginning in the 1800’s. Two hundred years later, Whanganui still retains much of its heritage, European and Māori, in its attractions and activities. Whanganui is also home to more fine arts, mixed media and glass artists than anywhere else in the country with over 400 resident artists. The charming city, river and landscape has easy access to river, sea and forest making Whanganui a special part of regional New Zealand.

8:00am Depart from Ohakune, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ruapehu from the north (97.8km). Collect a Whanganui River Road brochure from local i-SITE’s.

Drive to Pīpīriki and turn left into Whanganui River Road.

(20 minutes) St Joseph’s Church and Convent, Jerusalem (Hiruharama) (20 minutes) Kāwana Flour Mill

Morning tea at Matahiwi Café and Gallery

(10 minutes) Koriniti Marae (25 minutes) Aramoana Viewpoint

Turn right into State Highway 4

12:30pm Lunch at Ūpokongaro Café.

1:30pm Drive to the Whanganui i-SITE and collect the Heritage Guide brochure.

2:30pm Follow the self-guided Heritage Walk with directions from the brochure.

5:00pm Visit the Durie Hill Escalator and Memorial Tower for a unique underground ride.

At your leisure depart for your destination, Ohakune, New Plymouth or Wellington. Or better still, stay overnight and explore further the artists’ galleries and studios throughout the city and take in a little retro and boutique shopping as well.

If driving on to Wellington allow 3 hours from your Whanganui departure and in summer visit the Cameron Blockhouse (SH3) on your way.

Some heritage The Whanganui Regional Museum Heritage Guide accommodation options… Archives are available for private and professional research. The majority of Rutland Arms Inn the information held in the archives Pukatea Estate is directly relevant to the Whanganui Bushy Park Homestead region, although there is significant The Grand Hotel material of national and international Braemar House B&B YHA interest. Mid Century Retreat Open 10.00am - 1.00pm Monday - Friday Fordell Homestead B&B except on public holidays. WhanganuiNZ.com One Day Whanganui Heritage

Pick up the Whanganui Heritage Guide at the i-SITE and choose your tour of the city’s historic landmarks and points of interest. Early Māori and European settler history unfolds around the town, the Whanganui River and the Whanganui Regional Museum.

Take a slow boat up the river on the PS Waimarie, NZ’s only remaining coal fired paddle steamer and envisage yourself in the early days of river transport. Or try the smaller MV Wairua. Ride “Mable”, our Number 12 Tram where kids over 75 go free!

Travel up the Durie Hill Elevator, NZ’s only public underground elevator and the Memorial Tower for unforgettable views of the city, river mouth and Mount Ruapehu and Taranaki. Book a tour at the i-SITE of St Paul’s Memorial Church at Putiki: decorated internally with magnificent Māori carvings and woven tukutuku panels.

At the end of the day catch a show at the Royal Wanganui Opera House, iconic to our city and one of the very few wooden Victorian theatres of this size left in the world. One Day Whanganui Adventure

So many choices for so much fun! Spend the whole day canoeing or kayaking the Whanganui River through native forest and farmland.

Try a half day paddling and the other half on a jet boat tour to one of the many historic settlements, Bridge to Nowhere or unique lodges. Hike the Ātene Skyline Walk for a day or just do the Ātene Viewpoint walk seeing the oyster shell rock cliffs on the drive there and the hidden hand dug culvert further on.

Drive or cycle the Whanganui River Road, a segment of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail. Scenic and remote, the peaceful environment refreshes and native birds abound. Travel through Ūpokongaro with its unusually spired church and end at the North Mole on the edge of the Tasman Sea, or take in a two hour offroad coast and dune 4 Wheel Drive tour. If you have any energy left, surf at Castlecliff Beach or take a stroll along the majestic West Coast beach. One Day Whanganui Family

If you’re here in the weekend go to The River Traders and Whanganui Farmers Markets – music, art, craft and foodie delights will ensure a great breakfast for everyone.

Duck over the majestic Whanganui River and travel up the Durie Hill Elevator, NZ’s only public underground elevator for unforgettable views. Carry on along Anzac Parade and let the kids go wild in Kowhai Park – a fantasyland playground with nursery rhyme characters, a water maze, a weekend tiny tots train, flying fox and extensive picnic area.

Spend the afternoon at Splash Centre where there is a lazy river, toddlers pool, two hydro-slides and a games pool for tweenies. Alternatively, drive out to Bushy Park Sanctuary for a walk in the predator-free native forest surrounded by native birds. Look out for “Ratanui”, an enormous Rata tree with a girth of more than 11 metres and over 40 metres high. Have fresh fruit ice cream at the Windermere Farm and Café on the way home. Guaranteed – a full-on and happy family day with everyone ready for bed.