Wanganui City Guide
New Zealand>Wanganui City
The Wanganui- "the River City" is on the lower west coast
of the North Island, south of Taranaki and the Taupo/Ruapehu
regions, around the Wanganui River. The Wanganui river was
discovered by the great Kupe and later Maori migrants arrived
and lived in the fertile valley up stream from today's Wanganui
city.
Learn more of the area's natural and cultural heritage on
an historic paddle wheeler journey, you can travel up the
Wanganui River by jetboat or riverboat into the heart of
the Wanganui National Park, or canoe downstream over gentle
rapids. The jetboat trips to the middle reaches often combine
a bush walk to the famous Bridge to Nowhere.
Join the Wanganui's Old Town Heritage Walk because it showcases
a typical colonial New Zealand town. There are historic
tribal villages along the way, where Maori welcome visitors
who want to experience their unique lifestyle and cultural
traditions.
There will be street theater, free entertainment at Wanganui's
beautiful Virginia Lake and supper cruises on the Whanganui
River aboard the restored paddle steamer Waimarie.
To fulfil your passion for shopping, you can shop in Wanganui's
main shopping area around Victoria Avenue as it showcases
the city's heritage with gaslights, wrought iron street
furniture, palm and plane trees and wide pavements. Many
of the shops and cafes are housed in restored historic buildings.
Another great spot that lures many visitors is the garden
enclave called Rangitikei, which lies north between Wanganui
and Palmerston North. Here, you can find a number of most
well regarded gardens including Titoki Point, Caimmuir,
Rathmoy and in Palmerston North city, Pukemarama.
Also, don't miss the garden in the city - Tupare, where
you'll be charmed by the Tudor-style homestead surrounded
by four hectares of azaleas, camelias, redwoods and water
gardens, not to mention rhododendrons by the hundred.
Visit the Wanganui Regional Museum which has an outstanding
Maori Court with a magnificent war canoe, collections of
Maori artifacts and many more invaluable antiques that can
keep history alive.
Getting There and Moving Around
By air
There are three main domestic airlines: Air New Zealand,
Ansett New Zealand, and Mount Cook Airlines, as well as
commuter airlines linking smaller towns. Charter flights
are easily arranged if you want to fly direct to a destination
that isn't served by a commercial flight - provided there
is an airfield.
By rail
Tranz Rail Ltd operates a reliable rail service on 4000km
of railway with many routes of great scenic attraction.
It is with good views of forests, gorges Trans Scenic and
volcanic peaks.
By road
There are regional bus networks which serve most parts
of the country. Good local bus services are provided in
the main towns.
Also there are metered taxis operating throughout the country.
Car hire sevices is also provided from major international
firms and local firms where they have offices at airports
and most major cities and towns.
Moving Around
The availability of various transport mode in Wanganui
is a convenience of the visitors to move around the captivating
city.
|