Whanganui – which was previously spelt Wanganui – means big bay or big harbour inMāori, and comes from the great river that flows through it. It was once NewZealand’s fifth largest city and still features the picture-perfect heritage buildings, world-class museums and gardens that were developed over a century ago.
The town's pretty architecture combined with the surrounding landscape, featuring its wide river, black sand beaches, rolling green hills, and views of Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu make it the perfect place to explore.
Art and Culture
Whanganui is home to a vibrant arts community, with loads of working artists contributing to a city that’s buzzing with creative energy. The town is also home to numerous galleries, theatres and music venues, as well as the New Zealand Opera School. There are also two very impressive art museums: The Sarjeant Gallery, and Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics.
The Sarjeant Gallery is the town’s most famous gallery and is housed in a pretty neoclassical building in Queens Park. Although the gallery is currently closed for renovations to make it earthquake-proof, fortunately, some of the collection can still be seen in Taupo Quay.
The Whanganui Regional Museum is also worth a visit to see the magnificent collection of Lindauer portraits and Māori treasures.
From the Mountains to the Sea
The Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail is one of New Zealand’s greatest adventures. Beginning on the slopes of a live, snow-capped volcano, this ride takes you on a trip through natural and human history, winding its way along remote pathways, all the way to the sea.
The trail is a 270 kilometre undertaking, carrying riders across untouched native forest trails with spectacular scenery. It’s the longest and most diverse cycle trail in New Zealand, rich in both natural and cultural heritage, featuring such memorable sights such as an old cobbled coach road, towering bluffs, the Bridge to Nowhere, and the mystical Whanganui River.
Completing the full Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail requires advanced planning, favourable weather, reasonable fitness and some confidence when it comes to off-road cycling.
River Adventures
The real spiritual heart of Whanganui is the Whanganui River – New Zealand’s longest navigable river – once known as the Rhine of New Zealand. The river has always had an important part to play in everyday life, serving as an important transport route for Māori people and European colonists alike.
Today, the Whanganui National Park is the place where river adventures begin – with everything from exhilarating jet boat rides, to calmer cruises on paddle steamers.
For a kayaking adventure, try the Whanganui Journey that starts in Taumarunui and ends in Pipiriki, taking you through stunning bushland and hill country featuring long narrow gorges.
This stunning journey goes for 145 kilometres, venturing deep into the pristine forests of a vast national park. Following the river takes you through steep-sided canyons, far from the reaches of civilisation.
If it’s peace and quiet you’re after, you’ll find it here amongst the abundant birdlife, native forests, and isolated cliff faces along the river’s edge.
