Located 196km from Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, Whanganui sits on the banks of the magnificent Whanganui River, surrounded by lush national park and the Tasman sea. Your hire car is the ticket you’ll need for an exciting exploration of this beautiful part of the world.
There’s no place quite like Whanganui. Grab a car and explore this charming town with an abundance of history, art, culture and nature to be discovered.
Have a blast at Kowhai Park, perfect for families and those that are young at heart. You’ll find one of the world’s most unique playgrounds here, where kids can climb through an octopus or slide down a dinosaur’s back. There’s a whole playground of quirky adventures to be had, a water maze, a miniature railway and lots more to explore.
Virgina Lake is another must-see, come feed the ducks and wander the Winter Garden – perfect at any time of year despite the name. There’s playgrounds and a beautiful bird aviary to explore amongst the beautifully landscaped garden. In the evening the Higginbottom Fountain in the middle of the lake comes alive with a light show sure to delight all viewers. If you’re looking for a slower pace experience, jump aboard the Waimarie paddle steamer, which has been cruising the river since 1899. With a guided tour you’ll learn all about the paddle steamers of bygone eras while you take in the ever-changing views.
Te Awa o Whanganui (The Whanganui River) is the longest navigable river in New Zealand and there’s lots of different ways to explore it, from luxury charters to intrepid kayaking trips and a high-speed jet boat for those who really love adrenaline.
Get back into nature and enjoy the spectacular nature walks and hikes throughout the surrounding Whanganui National Park. Discover more about the fascinating Maori culture, an important element of the park experience, the lush forest, and uncover hidden gems, like the stunning Bridge To Nowhere.
For panoramic views of the town, the stunning west coastline, the lush forest and surrounding snow-capped mountains, take the elevator up to the Durie Hill War Memorial Tower. Built in 1919, this underground elevator is unique to New Zealand and the southern hemisphere.
Visit the St Pauls Memorial Church in Putiki, a spectacular building featuring mesmerising Maori tukutuku (weavings) and lattice designs that give us a little sample of the history of the region. The church spot dates back to 1842, but the church standing today was built in 1936. Of course if after all of that you’re in need of some rest, there’s also plenty of stunning beaches to explore – for fishing and surfing try South Beach, or for a lazy day on the sand the gentle waves of Kai Iwi Beach are perfection itself. If you’d rather a walk along windswept cliffs with stunning views, then Castlecliff will be the place to go – whatever you choose, spectacular views and a chance to forget your everyday worries is yours to enjoy here.
Whanganui is surrounded by beautiful and intriguing places to explore in every direction. You can head towards Wellington and stop at Taranki on the way – its picture perfect mountain and glassy lake are sure to have you reaching for you camera. There are a number of amazing walks through this area suitable for all members of the family, or you can visit historic homesteads and immerse yourself in culture and fine dining.
Your Whanganui adventure awaits, and our hire cars can get you there.
