Off the Beaten Track to... Jerusalem

Step back in time and journey to Jerusalem along the Whanganui River Road on the North Island of New Zealand. This drive can easily take a whole day as you explore the heritage of the local iwi, the remnants of early European settlements and historic landmarks and features. The Whanganui River Road follows the majestic Whanganui River (Te Awa O Whanganui) from just north of Wanganui to Pipiriki.

The road took over 30 years to construction and was opened in 1934. Before then, all access to remote settlements was by boat only. Key settlements included: Hiruharama (Jerusalem), Koriniti (Corinth), Atene (Athens) and Ranana (London).

What You Can Find

• Jerusalem - At Hiruharama (Jerusalem) there is a beautiful village and convent. This settlement is also famous as the location for Mother Aubert’s mission and poet James K Baxter’s commune.
• Kawana Mill – Once the largest operating flour mill on the river, Kawana Mill is now a beautifully restored building and museum.
• Ranana – You will find a cairn commemorating the ‘Battle of Moutoa’ in 1864. This battle was fought between Whanganui Māori and invading warriors from the north.
• Pipiriki – This settlement is at the end of the Whanganui River Road and is a base for many river operators. Jet-boat trips are available from here to the famous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ and many canoe tours start and end here too.

What You Can Do

• Scenic Drive / Day Trip - The loop from Wanganui to Pipiriki, across to Raetihi and back to Wanganui along the Parapara Scenic Highway makes an ideal day trip which can be completed in 4 to 6 hours, depending on the number of stops you make.
• Mountain to the Sea Cycle Trail / Mt Ruapehu to Wanganui - The mountain to sea route includes the Mangapurua - Kaiwhakauka Track in Whanganui National Park and Old Coach Road from Ohakune to Horopito in Tongariro National Park. The 245-kilometre 4 to 6-day ride is mostly through DoC administered lands.

From the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, the route traverses the 294-metre Hapuawhenua viaduct, Whanganui National Park and the iconic ‘Bridge to Nowhere’. After a jet boat ride down the Whanganui River to Pipiriki, the cycle route continues on the Whanganui river road to Wanganui.

More Off the Beaten Track Suggestions

If you want to discover some of New Zealand's hidden treasures, travel to some out-of-the-way places and see sites that many travellers and tourists miss out on, look at more of our 'Off the Beaten Track' suggestions.