Wanganui Regional Information

Wanganui | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

The Whanganui River is Wanganui's reason for being. Deep, beautiful and mysterious, it holds many secrets for you to discover.

Wanganui Overview

Wanganui, New Zealand

The Wanganui region is on the lower west coast of the North Island, south of Taranaki and the Taupo and Ruapehu regions.

This area is known for maori culture, heritage, Whanganui National Park and river adventures. The region takes its name from the city of Wanganui, which rests on the banks of the spectacular Whanganui River.

To the east of Wanganui lie the city of Palmerston North, the towns of Feilding, Ashhurst and many rural villages. You'll also find the southern hemisphere's largest wind farm. The dramatic, diverse landscape of the area offers a range of unique experiences. As well as excellent brown trout fly-fishing in the Rangatikei River, there's the chance to see rare and migrating birds at the Manawatu river estuary.

Wanganui Highlights

In the early 1900s, visitors called the Whanganui River the 'Rhine of New Zealand'—it is the longest navigable river in the country, with 239 rapids and stunning bush scenery. There are many ways to explore the Whanganui River—jet boat, kayak, canoe, raft, paddle steamer—or on the end of a fly-fishing rod.

You can also follow the trail to the mysterious 'Bridge to Nowhere', built across the Mangapurua Gorge to give access to an isolated settlement that was finally abandoned in 1942. Now only the 'Bridge to Nowhere' remains.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Herb garden near Wanganui, Wanganui, New Zealand

Herb Garden Near Wanganui
Wanganui, New Zealand
Photographer: Hiroshi Nameda
(hnamechan@hotmail.com)

Horowhenua is a special part of New Zealand's Nature Coast, featuring rivers, beaches, lakes, mountains, parks and golf courses. From the quiet calm of bushwalks and gardens, to the exhilaration of rivers and sea, through to history and culture, the region has something for everyone.

Adrenaline enthusiasts can jet boat through the region's most identifiable natural icon, the formidable Manawatu Gorge. You can also throw yourself out of aeroplanes and off bridges, ascend walls and rocks, or descend into caves, saddle up for an overnight horse trek, tackle the terrain in a 4WD (four-wheel drive)...the possibilities go on.