Whanganui

The name Whanganui comes from the Maori words whanga, for a bay or harbour, and nui meaning big or large. However, when the early colonists heard the placename said in the local Maori accent with a softly spoken wh that sounded more like a wo sound, rather than the classical Maori fh sound, they spelled the placename as Wanganui rather than Whanganui. Now, either spelling is officially acceptable, and the trend is towards using Whanganui.

History

Founded in 1840 and named Petre until 1852, Whanganui is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand.

Information

Tourist and visitor information is available from:

• i-Site Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +64 6 349 0508
  address: 31 Taupo Quay
  For accommodation, travel and transport information and bookings.

By car

Whanganui is between Palmerston North and New Plymouth, at the junction of State Highway 4 (SH4) with State Highway 3 (SH3). It is a two and a half hour drive from Wellington, using State Highways 1 and 3 (SH1 and SH3) and a six hour drive from Auckland, via Hamilton, using State Highways 1 and 4 (SH1 and SH4).

By bus

There are daily coach services from Wellington, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Auckland.

• InterCity

  address: Bus stop outside travel centre, 156 Ridgeway St

By plane

Whanganui Airport has several Auckland flights in or out daily by Air Chathams using Saab 340A and Metroliner III. Air New Zealand flights have ceased.

By train

The nearest railway station with a passenger service is at Marton (40 km away).

A mixture of walking and taking buses is generally the most cost-effective way to get around Whanganui. Buses generally depart every hour from Maria Place Extension.
There is also a taxi company.

• River City Taxis

  phone: +64 6 345 3333

• Wanganui in BloomFrom December to March, hundreds of hanging flower baskets line the streets of central Whanganui.

• Whanganui Regional Museum

  address: 62 Ridgway St
  An extensive collection of natural and human artifacts with a strong regional emphasis. The Museum on Queens Park is closed for seismic strengthening and improvements until 2018.

• Sarjeant Gallery

  address: 38 Taupo Quay
  Well known for its large collection of British, European and NZ art.

• Bason Botanic Gardens

  address: 552 Rapanui Rd
  Has both indoor and outdoor gardens with some bush walks.

• Waimarie MuseumContains fascinating displays of river-related artefacts and photographs of the riverboat era. Also offers river cruises in a paddle steamer on Friday evenings and weekends at 11am.

• Various art exhibitionsHeld around Whanganui's city centre at almost all times. Much of it is student work from UCOL, and the best exhibitions usually take place in the acclaimed Whanganui School of Design, which has a very nice tight-knit staff that can hold very interesting conversations. However, don't ask Tanya Roberson about dogs or memes, you'll be there for hours.

• Wanganui Collegiate SchoolA private school that was founded in 1854, which has a beautiful campus with some attractive old brick buildings. You cannot drive through the grounds during school hours as the school's main thoroughfare - the only one wide enough for cars - is used heavily throughout the day.

• The

  Whanganui RiverAround 300 km long. It is the longest navigable river and the second longest river in the North Island. There are a number of operators who offer canoeing, rafting and jetboat trips. The Mangapurua stream (tributary to the Whanganui) is bridged by the famous Bridge to Nowhere. This was built to provide access to settlers establishing farms in the Mangapurua Valley. The settlements no longer exist but the bridge remains as an eloquent reminder. It can be reached from the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui which is a 1.5 hour walk round trip. The landing can be reached by drive to Pipiriki then a jet boat ride.

• Durie Hill Elevatoracross from the City Bridge. Accessed by the Durie Hill pedestrian tunnel, it is the only underground elevator in New Zealand. It has two viewpoints.

• WaimarieTake a two-hour cruise up the river on NZ's only coal-fired historic paddle steamer.

• Heritage WalksDiscover the history of one of NZ's oldest European settlements.

• Trafalgar SquareShopping centre on Taupo Quay was opened in 1989 with New Zealand's largest K-Mart store. K-Mart has since been replaced by The Warehouse, which shares the complex with a range of other shops including Wendy's.

• PhaedraA small but well-stocked gothic apparel store near the Red Eye Cafe. The staff are friendly and the store smells pleasingly of incense.

• Stardust CreationsA rather artsy-fartsy new age store with a confused demographic, but it sells some very beautiful unique hand-made necklaces between $5 and $50 that, while bereft of mineral value, are generally much prettier and more interesting than diamonds. Perfect for a bohemian friend.

• Ceramic

  phone: +64 6-348 4449
  address: 51 Victoria Ave
  A jazz bar/restaurant on the main street, has nice food and personable staff.

• Jabee Kebabs

  phone: +64 6-347 2800
  address: 168 Victoria Ave
  Really good kebabs.

• Japanese Kitchen WA

  address: 92 Victoria Ave

• Kebabholik

  phone: +64 6-348 8332
  address: 155 Victoria Ave
  A rather good Turkish fast food joint next to the main street Subway.

• Kristy's Cafe

  address: 151A London St

• Red Eye Cafe

  phone: +64 6-345 5646
  address: Guyton St
  Right up there with the best cafes in Wellington and Auckland.

• Rutland Arms Inn

  address: cnr Victoria Ave & Ridgway St

• Thistles

  phone: +64 6-345 0143
  address: 136 Victoria Ave
  A small but well-stocked sweet shop with extensive range, and features homemade sweets as well as bulk candy.

• The Yellow House Cafe

  address: 17 Pitt St

• Red Lion Cafe and Bar/PubA nice atmosphere with pool tables and big screen TV's to watch the rugby.

• StellarDoes good food early evening and then a spot for the young ones later on after 11PM Fri/Sat

• 151 on London

  phone: +64 6 345 8668
  address: 151 London St
  26 Suites including Studios and 4 Family Apartments.

• Anndion Lodge

  phone: +64 6 343 3593
  address: 143 ANZAC Parade, Whanganui East
  A bed and breakfast style travelers lodge on the banks of the Whanganui River. Also a function centre. Category Winner, 2008 Wanganui Business Awards.

• Aotea Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 345 0303
  address: 390 Victoria Ave
  Luxury.

• Arles

  phone: +64 6 343 6557 or +64 21 257 8257 (mobile)
  address: 50 Riverbank Rd, State Highway 4, Whanganui East
  Bed & breakfast & self-contained apartment.

• Astral Motel and Apartments

  phone: +64 6 347 9063
  address: 45 Somme Parade

• B-K’s Magnolia Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 348 0020
  address: 240 St Hill St

• Braemar House

  phone: +64 6 347 2529
  address: 2 Plymouth St

• Burwood Manor Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 2180
  address: 63-65 Dublin St

• Wanganui Seaside Holiday Park

  phone: +64 6 344 2227
  address: 1A Rangiora Street, Castlecliff
  3 acres of park like grounds

• Coachmans Lodge Motel

  address: 30 Liffiton St

• Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 345 6003
  address: 170 Guyton St
  Qualmark rated 4+ star accommodation in the heart of Whanganui. 15 ground floor accessible units, wireless internet, spa bath units, kitchen facilities.

• Fiesta Court Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 8209
  address: 56 Heads Rd

• Four Seasons Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 0944

• Gateway Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 345 8164
  address: Cnr Southern Motorway and Heads Road

• The Grand Hotel

  phone: +64 6 345 0955
  address: Cnr Guyton and St Hill Streets

• Kings Court Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 8586
  address: 58-60 Plymouth Street, PO Box 4029
  12 ground floor accessible units (8 x studio, 4 x 1-bedroom) units), all with kitchen facilities, Wireless or Dial-up Internet. Qualmark rated 3 Star Plus. A member of Host Accommodation Group. Motel is pet free and units are smoke free.

• Kingsgate Hotel The Avenue

  phone: +64-6-349 0044
  address: 379 Victoria Avenue, PO Box 7000

• Ocean Heights Motel

  phone: +64 6 344 4144
  address: 40 Rangiora Street, Castlecliff

• Quality Inn Collegiate Hotel

  phone: +64 6 345 8309
  address: 122 Liverpool St

• Raceway Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 8224
  address: Cnr Purnell Street & Hurworth Place

• Riverside Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 2448
  address: 30 Somme Parade

• Riverview Motel

  phone: +64 6 345 2888
  address: 14 Somme Parade

• Rutland Arms Inn

  phone: +64 6 347 7677
  address: 48-52 Ridgway St
  Has restaurant.

• Siena Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 345 9009
  address: 335 Victoria Avenue, PO Box 7126 Mid Avenue, Whanganui 4541

• Solvere Bed & Breakfast

  phone: +64 6 345 5831, +64 21 545 184 (mobile)
  address: 33b Ridgway St

• Sports Lodge Motel

  phone: +64 6 344 6351
  address: 3 Surrey Road, Springvale

• Tamara Lodge

  phone: +64 6 347 6300
  address: 24 Somme Parade
  Backpackers lodge in an Edwardian villa on the banks of the Whanganui River.

• Wanganui Motor Lodge

  phone: +64 6 345 4742
  address: 14 Alma Road, Gonville

• Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park

  phone: +64 6 343 8402
  address: 460 Somme Parade, Aramoho

• Bushy Park Homestead

  phone: +64 6 342 9879
  address: 791 Rangitatau East Rd
  Historic homestead set in a lowland rainforest offering both B&B and backpacker-style accommodation. Very quiet location. Fully licensed cafe and evening meals by prior arrangement.

• La Bella B&B

  phone: +64 6 3458787
  address: 7 Somme Parade
  Historic 19th century mansion overlooking the Whanganui river. River views from every window and three verandas. Lavishly furnished with antiques, paintings and artefacts from all over the world.

• Feilding
• Hawera
• Tongariro National Park (encompassing Mt Ruapehu) and the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields are within 2 hours drive.
• Whanganui National Park