Wanganui Tourism - Travel to Wanganui
The city Wanganui is located on the West Coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the Whanganui River which flows from Mount Tongariro via the stunning Whanganui National Park to the coast. The district has a population of approx. 44,000.
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Get into Wanganui
By Road
Wanganui is a three hour drive from Wellington and a six hour drive from Auckland using State Highway 4 (SH4).
Travel to Wanganui 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 away) is the nearest international airport.
By Rail
Marton (40 km away) is the nearest railway station.
Get around in Wanganui
See Wanganui
- Wanganui in Bloom, from December to March there are hundreds of hanging flower baskets lining the streets of central Wanganui.
- Whanganui Regional Museum, an extensive collection of natural and human artifacts with a strong regional emphasis
- Sarjeant Gallery, well known for its large collection of British, European and NZ art.
- Bason Botanic Gardens has both indoor and outdoor gardens with some bush walks.
Do Wanganui
- Durie Hill Elevator, across from the City Bridge. Accessed by the Durie Hill pedestrian tunnel. It is the only earthbound elevator in New Zealand and one of only two in the world. It has two viewpoints.
- 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, take a 2 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.
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Eat - Travel to Wanganui
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Sleep - Wanganui Tourism
Get out
- Drive to Marton (40 km away) and try the Amazing Maze ‘n Maize. 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.
External Links for Wanganui Tourism