ARTS & HERITAGE in WHANGANUI 1 DAY OVERNIGHTSELF-DRIVEOR

WHANGANUI

RIVERBOAT HERITAGEWhanganui 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.

WhanganuiNZ.com

Heritage GuideSome heritage accommodation options…

Rutland Arms Inn Pukatea EstateBushy Park HomesteadThe Grand Hotel Braemar House B&B YHA Mid Century RetreatFordell Homestead B&B

The Whanganui Regional Museum Archives are available for private and professional research. The majority of the information held in the archives is directly relevant to the Whanganui region, although there is significant material of national and international interest.Open 10.00am - 1.00pm Monday - Friday except on public holidays.

If you wish to book a riverboat sailing please book at the Whanganui i-SITE the day before to secure your seat.

8:00am Depart from Wellington from the south (199 km) or New Plymouth from the west (159 km). Arrival time approximately 10:30am to 11:00am.

9:00am Depart from Ohakune, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ruapehu from the north (97.8 km). Arrival time approximately 10:30am

10:30am Drive to the Whanganui i-SITE and collect the Heritage Guide brochure.

11:00am PS Waimarie or MV Wairua Riverboat sailing (Lunch at Ūpokongaro on the MV Wairua)

1:00pm Lunch can found at any number of wonderful and friendly cafés in the town.

2:00pm Follow the self-guided Heritage Walk with directions from the brochure. 3:00pm Whanganui Regional Museum is the place to discover some true treasures of

Whanganui.

4:30pm 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.

Visiting the beautiful city of Whanganui?

One Day Whanganui HeritagePick 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 AdventureSo 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 FamilyIf 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.