Whanganui attractions, things to do and places to visit

2. Stroll around Whanganui town centre and take in the delicate glass artworks of NZ Glassworks or find out how to make a paperweight in a workshop. Enjoy fascinating stories narrated by the custodians of the Whanganui Regional Museum

4. Rotokawau Virginia Lake with its hot houses, Winter Gardens, lakes and woodland walks is a great way to get and about in Whanganui. Kowai Park has a great children’s playground and a mature arboretum to linger in and Bason Botanic Gardens is another great spot for garden lovers to explore Whanganui botanical offerings.

Whanganui is a walkers destination with the iconic Bridge to Nowhere a short jet boat ride away, a viewpoint where you catch the DURIE HILL TUNNEL elevator and parks to picnic and walk around lakes.

… read more Whanganui best 8 short walks and Whanganui River Journey, a NZ Great Walk

WHANGANUI ROMANTIC PLACES, THINGS TO DO FOR COUPLES

Where to go for a sunset photograph

• Kai Iwi beach with its moody cliffs and driftwood backlit by the setting sun
• Whanganui river dinner cruise on the Waimarie steamboat
• Couples selfie moments with one of the many heritage buildings as the background

Where to go to eat for a romantic brunch / dinner

• Frank Bar + Eatery for a touch of nighttime glamour
• Sea Dog Gallery for fish n chips on the beach at Castlecliff beach
• Bason Botanic Gardens for a picnic

• Kowhai Park and arboretum nestled beside the Whanganui river is a magnet for kids and adults alike
• Rotokawau / Virginia Lake walks listening to the sound of birds in the aviary and watching ducks on the lake
• Bason Botanic Gardens is a gem with winter gardens showcasing bromeliads and shady walks for a summer day.
• A gold coin gets up to the tops of Durie Hill Tower for sweeping town and country views.
• Walk alongside the Whanganui river on the river walk pathway finding sculptures and public installations for a impromptu photo moment
• Whanganui regional museum with its extensive collection of photographs, objects and history is a great place for a rainy day. And it’s free to enter

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT WHANGANUI?

The best time to visit Whanganui is between mid-October to mid-April (early summer to early autumn). The Whanganui River can be officially closed to navigation in the winter months after periods of heavy rainfall.

DOES WHANGANUI HAVE AN AIRPORT?

Whanganui has a small regional (domestic) airport with regular flights serviced by Air Chathams. Air Chathams flies from Auckland to Whanganui 3 times a day Monday to Friday, once on a Saturday and twice on a Sunday.  It’s a quick and easy flight taking only an hour and Air Chathams provides the fastest direct route from Auckland to Whanganu. Check Air Chathams online resources for up to date flight information.

CAN YOU HIRE A BIKE IN WHANGANUI?

You can hire a bike in Whanganui as the town is part of the MOUNTAINS TO SEA BIKE TRAIL. The Mountains to Sea Bike Trail is from Mt Ruapehu to Whanganui. The trail is part of the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail.

The Bike Shed has a sterling reputation for servicing bikes as well as stocking an extensive range of accessories.

Velo Ronny’s Bicycle Store can rent / hire  quality MTB or Electric Bike so you can ride the river trails, explore the Upokongaro Cycle Bridge, climb a hill to take in the view or do a café crawl. As you are visiting a small regional centre it is advisable to arrange your bike rental before visiting as there are only limited stocks available especially in the peak summer months or festival season.

YELLOW HOUSE CAFE

A yellow house, of course, has been converted into a funky cafe with a liquor licence. Anyone fancy a glass of wine with brunch. This is the place for slow lane eating. The cafe has an online menu for browsing

MISCHIEF ON GUYTON

With cheeky signage and a flip calendar of witty quotes not suitable to print, Mischief Cafe is true to its name. Step inside (or through to the courtyard) for a combined brunch and lunch menu featuring interesting dishes like a Funky Fungi and the Red Hot Chilli Pita: oven-baked eggs with chilli on pita bread with housemade hummus and fresh salsa. Fresh sandwiches made to order and a full cabinet with salads and other goodies. Serving superb coffee using Karamu fair trade organic coffee beans and Wellington’s famous T Leaf T.

ARTICLE CAFE, WHANGANUI

Article is situated in the heart of Old Whanganui, in the original Chronicle paper building. We endeavour to facilitate a sales spot for the multitudes … However, ARTICLE sells good coffee, cool stuff, including vintage clothes and unique old products. We do this in a relaxed environment where the art is and can be purchasable but can also act as an excellent aesthetic backdrop to just having a coffee and appreciating the building’s character, or the character sitting across from you. We also have a range of Ross Mitchell-Anyon pottery in the RMA store out back.

WhANGANUI MUSICIANS CLUB

The first Friday of every month is club night with a scheduled performance and perhaps an open mic beforehand. Check what’s happening on the Facebook page.

FRANK BAR + EATERY, WHANGANUI

Cuisine and Whanganui is a marriage created in Frank Bar + Eatery. premier dinner, drinks and cocktails served up until late. Though the Old Bank building served FRANK well, we have recently moved locations to The Old Post Office on Ridgway Street. We are still serving up delicious, seasonal fare and amazing cocktails – just from a brand new and gorgeously decorated address.