Don’t Miss

History and culture

Wanganui City and the surrounding region offer many opportunities to engage with New Zealand's fascinating past. The area is also well known for its thriving artistic community.

• Enjoy Wanganui's vibrant arts scene, which includes fine arts, graphic design, glass blowing and fashion.
• Visit the Sarjeant Art Gallery in Wanganui, celebrated for its neo-classical architecture and magnificent exhibitions.
• Ride Wanganui's historic Durie Hill elevator. Built in 1919, it is one of only two earth-bound elevators in the world.
• Climb the Memorial Tower on Durie Hill. Built from fossilised shell rock it offers sweeping views of the city, inland volcanic mountains and the Tasman Sea.
• Follow the Heritage trails to discover Wanganui's oldest buildings.
• Look out for the Ward Observatory in Wanganui. It houses the largest unmodified refractor telescope still in use in New Zealand.
• Explore the Whanganui Regional Museum, recognised for its outstanding collection of Maori taonga (treasures) and Lindauer portraits of Maori people in the late 1800s.
• Visit historic Ratana - a mainly Maori town where the tiny population swells during the annual pilgrimage of followers of the Ratana faith.

River enchantment

The Whanganui River is a place for adventurous expeditionss of discovery and understanding. Elements of both Maori and early European history combine with modern day recreational adventure along the river's 260km journey to the sea.

The Whanganui River has deep spiritual, cultural and historical significance to Whanganui iwi (Maori tribes), who are the tangata whenua (Maori people of this area).

• Visit the Whanganui Riverboat Centre which offers unique maritime heritage experiences through scheduled cruises and an informative museum.
• Cruise on the Waimarie (est. 1900), New Zealand's last paddlesteamer, or the M V Wairua (est. 1904).
• Follow the Whanganui River Road for an insight into early Maori life, the influence of Christian missionaries and the fascinating history of the romantically-named settlements.
• Canoe the river. There are self-guided and guided tours to suit everyone, ranging from one to six days.
• Enjoy the cultural perspective local Maori people bring to their unique guided tours. Hear the local korero (stories) and learn about taonga (treasures). You can also choose to stay overnight at a river marae (traditional Maori village).
• Ride a high-speed jet boat. It's an exhilarating way to visit the many natural wonders and historic sites, such as the Bridge to Nowhere, along the Whanganui River.

	MEMORY: Submitted by Daniel from New Zealand " People speak of paradise.... I saw paradise. The name of paradise was New Zealand. There's no better place on Earth. I wish to return there daily. "
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