Palmerston North Activities

Palmerston North | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

A vibrant, beautiful city, Palmerston North is nestled amongst the rivers, valleys and mountain ranges of the Manawatu region offering all kinds of outdoor challenges and exciting things to do.

Palmerston North Activity Highlights Overview

With many cafes, theatres, sports facilities and lively people from many cultures, Palmerston North is a modern and sophisticated city. Palmerston North has many activities and adventures on offer offering all the activities that a decently sized city would be expected to offer, as well as many outdoor country activities.

For a unique experience, farm stays offer an enviroment where you can really get to know life on a farm rearing sheep, cattle or other livestock. Or enjoy activities such as mountain biking, golfing, or guided walks.

» Palmerston North Activities Directory

Horse Trekking

Horse Trekking, Rangitikei
Manawatu
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)

Palmerston North is nested close to green rolling hills that so characterize the North Island and is a great place to go on horse treks. Here you can enjoy the peaceful surrounds and trot through the countryside of the lower middle North Island.

Water Activities

Palmerston North is built on the banks of the Manawatu River making it ideally situated for rafting and fishing. For wishing to get a thrill and don't mind getting then enjoy racing down the river on rafting, or for those who prefer leisurely strolling along the river bank fishing this option is also available.

Scenic Flights

Palmerston even has the option of scenic flights where one can enjoy the beautiful topography of the lower North Island from the air. Scenic flight companies offer an exciting variety of fun rides and scenic flights across the region to fit most budgets.

Options are available to fly over the city or over the country where you'll get a great view of the beautiful Tararua and Ruahine Ranges upon which you will see the large elegant wind turbines and their smaller frenetic counter-parts are busily generating energy. And then on down into the spectacular Manawatu Gorge carved out by the relentless flow of the Manawatu River.

Hiking

Check out the Tararua and Ruahine Ranges and the Manawatu Gorge. Palmerston North lies close to these beautiful ranges that remain unspoiled and covered in native forest.

In the Manawatu Gorge you can feast your eyes on a dazzlingly beautiful river gorging its way through the ranges. In these ranges you can see the anticlines allowing you to see how the ranges have been pushed up out of the earth by powerful geological forces.

The Glory of Gardens

There are fabulous gardens to visit around the city of Palmerston North and the towns of Feilding and Ashhurst.

At the Herb Farm, Ashhurst you can buy a range of herbal healing products and wander through themed gardens
Admire the rose gardens along the Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North and sniff the Fragrant Garden in Feilding
Cross Hills Gardens, Kimbolton has extensive plantings of rhododendrons
Pukemarama Gardens is a classic example of a formal English-style garden

» Manawatu Gardens Information