DIRECTORY
River Region
Why go here? Explore the fascinating history of a beautiful river in a pristine rainforest setting.
Need to know ...This remote and exciting corner of New Zealand is dominated by the moody but beautiful Whanganui River. Explore the Whanganui on a multi-day river trip with a personal guide and be transported to a place where legends come to life. The eerie solitude of the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ across the Mangapurua Gorge gives a sense of how the river dominates. Venture into the wilderness of the Whanganui National Park on foot for another perspective on the region’s beauty. Wanganui, the river city, offers a range of cafés and restaurants, as well as a renowned gallery and museum. Main CentresWanganui – historic river city. Getting There By Air – Wanganui Airport offers domestic flights.
Eating Out The Grand Restaurant (The Grand Hotel, Cnr St Hill
and Guyton St, Wanganui, t +64 6 345 0955) – the dining room caters
for all tastes and ages. Where to DrinkStylish BarIndigo Café & Bar (1 Maria Pl, Wanganui, t +64 6 347 6111) – centrally located, Indigo offers a vibrant and exciting dining and bar space. Cosy Pub Rosie O’Grady’s Irish Pub (The Grand Hotel,
Cnr St Hill St & Guyton St, t +64 6 345 0955) – authentic Irish
pub in the heart of Wanganui. Coffee Fix Oggies Café (53 Wilson St, Wanganui, t +64 6 348 8460)
– regional winner in Café Magazine’s 2005 Best Café Awards. Judges called
it “a great little café where there’s always a friendly attitude from
the staff, where the food is excellent and coffee consistent.” |
Sights
The Whanganui River, New Zealand’s longest navigable waterway, is
a beautiful, Action
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a canoe or kayak trip on this
very spiritual river. RelaxThe Sarjeant Art Gallery in Wanganui is renowned for its neo-classical architecture and magnificent exhibitions. Take a stroll at Bushy Park. An easy drive from Wanganui, this popular recreation area features 90ha of native forest including Ratanui, believed to be the largest Rata tree in the Southern Hemisphere. THE experienceYou can’t visit Wanganui without getting out on the waters of its famous river. Board the 100-year-old paddle steamer Waimarie for a river cruise. Websites to Check Out www.destinationwanganui.com www.wanganuinz.com www.whanganuiriver.co.nz
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Something to Take Home
Sarjeant Gallery (Queens Park, Wanganui, t +64 6 349 0506)
– exhibition catalogues, related art publications and posters for sale.
Whanganui Regional Museum (Watt St, Wanganui, t +64 6 349 1110)
– the museum shop stocks a wide range of jewellery, souvenirs, books and tapes.
Did you know?
Notable Culture
The name Whanganui translates as ‘Great Harbour’ or ‘Great Wait’. The first European to travel up the river was Andrew Powers in 1831, but the journey wasn’t by choice – he had been taken hostage by the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe.
Moment in History
The Bridge to Nowhere in the Mangapurua Valley was built in 1936 for a planned settlement. When the venture was abandoned, forest rapidly covered the track, leaving only the bridge as a reminder.
Note This!
Wanganui’s Durie Hill elevator, built in 1919, is one of only two earthbound elevators in the world.
Hiking Tracks of the Whanganui
Whanganui National Park is justifiably famous for its river journeys, but
this is also a great region for exploring on foot. Here are a couple of possibilities:
Matemateonga Track
This traditional Maori trail ventures deep into the heart of the park, traversing
densely bush-clad hills between Taranaki and the Whanganui River. 42km in length,
the track is usually walked in three to four days. Arrange pick-up or drop-off
by jet-boat. The three huts on the Matemateaonga Track are Serviced Huts, which
means walkers require two hut tickets. These can be purchased at Department
of Conservation offices in Wanganui, Stratford or New Plymouth.
Mangapurua / Kaiwhakauka Track
The Mangapurua / Kaiwhakauka Track traverses pristine native forest in two valleys.
The track follows an old road, making this a leisurely three- or four-day walk.