Wanganui
The city of Wanganui [1] is on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is on the Whanganui River, which flows from Mount Tongariro via the stunning Whanganui National Park. The district has a population of approx. 44,000.
Founded in 1840, Wanganui is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand, and was named Petre until 1852.
Travel to Wanganui, visa requirements
By Road
Wanganui is a two and a half hour drive from Wellington, and a six hour drive from Auckland using State Highway 4 (SH4).
By Bus
There are daily coach services from Wellington, Palmerston North and Auckland.
By Air
Wanganui Airport handles dometic flights from Auckland and Wellington. Palmerston North (70 km) is the nearest international airport.
By Rail
Marton (40 km) is the nearest railway station.
Get around
A mixture of walking and taking buses is generally the most cost-effective way to get around Wanganui. Buses generally depart every hour from Maria Place Extension.
Wanganui attractions and sightseeing
- Wanganui in Bloom, from December to March there are hundreds of hanging flower baskets lining the streets of central Wanganui.
- Whanganui Regional Museum [2], an extensive collection of natural and human artifacts with a strong regional emphasis
- Sarjeant Gallery [3], well known for its large collection of British, European and NZ art.
- Bason Botanic Gardens [4] has both indoor and outdoor gardens with some bush walks.
- Whanganui Riverboat Centre Museum[5] Contains fascinating displays of river-related artefacts and photographs of the riverboat era.
Various art exhibitions are held around Wanganui's city centre at almost all times. Much of it is student work from UCOL, and the best exhibitions usually take place in the acclaimed Wanganui School of Design, which has a very nice tight-knit staff that can hold very interesting conversations. However, don't ask Tanya Roberson about dogs or memes, you'll be there for hours.
Wanganui Collegiate School has a beautiful campus with some attractive old brick buildings. Don't use a car in the grounds during school hours however, the students as a whole have a superiority complex and will not get out of your way if you are driving.
City tours
- Durie Hill Elevator, across from the City Bridge. Accessed by the Durie Hill pedestrian tunnel, it is the only underground elevator in New Zealand and one of only two in the world. It has two viewpoints.
- The Whanganui River is around 300 km long. It is the longest navigable river and the second longest river in the North Island. There are a number of operators who offer canoeing, rafting and jetboat trips. It is bridged by the famous Bridge to Nowhere. This was built to provide access to settlers establishing farms in the Mangapurua Valley. The settlements no longer exist but the bridge remains as an eloquent reminder. It can be reached by a drive to Pipiriki then via a jet boat ride and a hike.
- Waimarie [6], take a two-hour cruise up the river on NZ's only coal-fired historic paddle steamer.
- Heritage Walks, discover the history of one of NZ's oldest European settlements.
Shopping, Wanganui souvenirs
Trafalgar Square shopping centre on Taupo Quay was opened in 1989 with New Zealand's largest K-Mart store. K-Mart has since been replaced by The Warehouse, which shares the complex with a range of other shops including Wendy's. The shake 'n dogs are not what they used to be.
Phaedra is a small but well-stocked gothic apparel store near the Red Eye Cafe. The staff are friendly and the store smells pleasingly of incense.
Stardust Creations is a rather artsy-fartsy new age store with a confused demographic, but it sells some very beautiful unique hand-made necklaces between $5 and $50 that, while bereft of mineral value, are generally much prettier and more interesting than diamonds. Perfect for a bohemian friend.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
The Red Eye Cafe on Guyton Street is right up there with the best cafes in Wellington and Auckland.
Ceramic, a jazz bar/restaurant on the main street, has nice food and personable staff.
Bollywood Star is the best Indian restaurant in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, despite tacky decor. Their butter chicken and chicken pakoras are not to be missed, nor is their delicious mango lassi. A plasma TV plays vaguely embarassing yet enjoyable Bollywood films non-stop and the waiting staff are very personable.
Kebabholik is a rather good Turkish fast food joint next to the main street Subway.
Thistles is a small but well-stocked sweet shop with extensive range, and features homemade sweets as well as bulk candy.
Wanganui nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
you can sleep at Anndion lodge opposite the river, you get a great view and its a great place to stay
Get out
- Drive to Marton (40 km away) and try the Amazing Maze ‘n Maize [7]. See how quickly you can find your way through.
- The Tongariro National Park (encompassing Mt Ruapehu) and the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields are within 2 hours drive.
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