Wanganui
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Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 76%
Wind: N at 18 mph
Wanganui Attractions
Let the adventure unroll
Virginia Lake
Walk around the lake as it's an easy romantic stroll with your sweetheart.
The lights in the fountain get turned on every hour on the hour from 9am till 9pm.
You used to be able to turn the lights on the fountain with 50 cents but the coins changed weight.
It's beautiful at night a lovely spot for dinner, my favourite here is KFC
Take bread to feed all the birds.
The café in the park makes great coffee and it sells bread for the ducks if you forget.
I hear the café across the road is fantastic too but I am still to review.
Winter Gardens
Stroll through the winter gardens in Virginia Lake. I hear the gardens are under massive change with an amazing new sculpture garden on its way (I will check the dates).
The bird Aviary is always good for a chin wag with the birds flying around.
And there is a great amphitheatre in the park which is a great spot for jamming out on a Sunday afternoon chilling in the park!
Queens Park
Sarjeant Gallery
Our gallery has a significant collection of New Zealand art and we are all very proud to have it in Wanganui.
Still one of New Zealand's best galleries so if you are into art in anyway this place is where you want to go first!
It's also a beautiful building that everyone takes great photos of.
Veteran Steps
Climb the steps and stroll around the cherished gardens.
Check out the PEACE sculpture of all hands it's a beautiful thing!
I Hope you will get to see the bells ringing.
Whanganui Regional Museum
Take in the history at the museum.
Don't forget your sketch book, so many things to get inspired from.
Free for Wanganui residents
Library
They have a fantastic selection of art books!!!!!
It’s a great place to go!
PS Waimarie Steamboat
Take a leisurely cruise aboard the beautifully restored paddle steamer - to review
Kowhai Park playground
Every kid’s favourite place to be in Wanganui, it's a magical place.
Did you know the park has Moa's grazing through there and Miss Muffet is eating her Kurds and whey?
Find the bamboo forest which is freaky to walk through its hidden so you have to look for it.
The biggest muddy bmx tracks that would make the best of them s*%t themselves.
The skate bowl is pretty cool to watch the kids doing sick tricks.
While your there pop over the road to the rose gardens.
Durie Hill Tower
Experience amazing views from the top of the tower, I counted around 380 steps when I went up there last.
You can get to the tower by using the elevator for $1 each way.
The tunnel is at the end of the tunnel by the bottom of Durie Hill stairs just across the city bridge.
Bastia Hill Water Tower
One of Wanganui’s landmarks!
The stairs are closed to the public but it’s still a cool place to visit.
Shopping up the Ave
Park your car at one end of the city and walk the street while calling into many boutique shops. Call in for lunch and a wine at one of the funky cafés in the city.
Please note Saturday morning shopping closes at 1pm and Sunday most of the shops are CLOSED.
Historic buildings
Grab a brochure of the heritage walk around the city from the information centre or check out the online copy
MAINSTREET’S BRASS RUBBING HERITAGE TRAIL
Specially produced passports with gold crayons feature a paragraph on 30 historic sites around Wanganui, with room to rub the relating picture from many brass plaques located throughout Wanganui.
Passports also feature an overview on Wanganui and its history RRP $9.95 from Mainstreet 36 Ridgeway Street, Wanganui, New Zealand.
Wanganui Opera House
The Opera House is New Zealand's last Victorian Theatre at a106 year old.
The theatre is the venue for many local national and international events, seating 830 people. These events include grand opera, operetta, tribute concerts, piano recitals, orchestra concerts, school events, lectures, graduations, fashion shows, dance, theatre to name a few.
A National Opera Summer School has been established that attracts students from throughout Australasia.
Wanganui Opera Week is held early January each year and allows young, up and coming opera singers what is often their first experience of singing in an opera house.
Wanganui Old Cemetery Heritage Trail
Central City Heritage Walk
Ward Observatory
Wanganui has the largest unmodified refractor 24cm telescope operating in New Zealand.
Every Friday night providing clear sky
Entry $2 per person.
Contact Ross Skilton from the Astronomical Society for more details.
Nagaizumi - Wanganui Sister City Friendship Centre
Situated in Duncan Street, Wanganui East, the centre links Wanganui with its Japanese sister city, Nagaizumi-cho. The centre was established to promote a better understanding of the culture of Japan and the people of Nagaizumi-cho, and to further education, cultural and sporting exchanges between the cities. The centre includes an exhibition room, library, authentic tea ceremony room and garden. Traditional tea ceremonies are available by arrangement.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Phone: 06 343 1945
Whanganui River Road
RIVER QUEEN was shot on the Whanganui River.
Enjoy the sights and history of the river. I can't wait to do this so I can write about it and get some crazy photos, its going be a hoot!
World famous Bridge to Nowhere
Take a jet boat to the - still to review
Canoe the Whanganui River
Trips vary from ½ day to 6 day journeys will update with more details.
Jerusalem
Home to James K Baxter - NZ Poet
Atene Skyline Track
Take a day out to walk with stunning views - will find out more details.
Tramp the Matemateaonga
This will take 3 - 4 days finishing on the banks of the Whanganui River just down river from the world famous Bridge to Nowhere
Visit Wanganui galleries and artists at work – I’m working on an art trail for the website currently.
Visit the Paint Pit online gallery
Guided tours of the cities artists and galleries are available upon request call Denita 06 345 5216 or 0274 690 411 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Bason Botanical Gardens
Visit the spectacular grounds and gardens at Gardens, under 10 minutes drive out the city centre on the way to New Plymouth you turn left at the BP about 50 metres in the 100 zone.
The Homestead gardens are a perfect place to get married.
Kai Iwi Beach
2 minutes drive from Bason Botanical Gardens and worth every penny, this place is a favourite of Wanganui residence. A place to get in the painting zone! Perfect for kids swimming and I hear white baiting.
Bushy Park Homestead
Take time out to visit Bushy Park Homestead & Forest, Kiwi’s living in a predator free native bush enclosure, 25 minutes scenic drive from the city centre.
2 to 3 hour coastal walk
Along the black sand beach from Castlecliff Beach to Kai Iwi Beach it's amazing what you can find along the beach.
Just watch the tides click here to check first.
Play golf
Belmont - Wanganui Golf Club - Phone: 344 4481
Castlecliff Golf Club - Phone: 344 4554
Tawhero Golf Club and driving range - Phone: 344 5808
(9-hole)
Wanganui East swimming baths
33m heated outdoor pool, learner pool and toddler pool, hydroslide, BBQ, picnic facilities, lawn area and significant shade structures.
Tinirau Street 343 6650.
Adults $2 and Children $1
Open 20 weeks per year commencing Labour Weekend.
WAIT THERE IS MORE
City No 12 Tram
Fishing
Castlecliff Beach
North Mole
South Beach
Okatoka Beach
Waverly Beach
Nukamaru Rock
Old Swimming baths on the way to New Plymouth
Learn to fly @ the Wanganui airport
Matipo Park
Lake Wiritoa
Duddings Lake
Upukanara church - The only square based 3 sided Steeple in New Zealand.
Splash Centre
Hot Pools
Visit Mangamahu
Saturday morning river market
Boyd's Auto Barn
Cafés
Movies
Ashley Park
Theatres
Stock Cars
Pubs and pumping nightlight
Sporting Facilities
Kids activities in the holiday
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" Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 6:19-21 "
