Wanganui
A City rich in cultural heritage
The famous Whanganui River flows from one of New Zealand's
highest volcanoes, Mount Tongariro, through the spectacular
Whanganui National Park, to the bustling city of Wanganui.
Wanganui is a delightful provincial city rich in both
Maori and European history. The town abounds with historic
buildings, preserved from the early days of European settlement,
along with beautiful parks and gardens. The City has a
rich cultural heritage reflected in both the world renowned
Wanganui River, it’s architecture and many amenities
providing a wealth of cultural experiences and creative
entertainment opportunities for everyone.
Whanganui National Park
Large areas of intact lowland forest adjoin the Whanganui
River in its central and lower reaches. These large tracts
of forest form the heart of Whanganui National Park. Within
this forested environment, the early Maori cultivated
the sheltered terraces of the land and built their villages
on strategic heights.The Whanganui River Today
The mighty Whanganui River combines history with modern-day
recreational adventure along its diverse 290 kilometres.
The journey begins high on Mt Tongariro and flows through
ling stretches of steep rugged bush through its upper
and middle reaches. The river widens into a tidal estuary
as it nears its final destination, the Tasman Sea, and
the city of Wanganui.
The Whanganui is the longest navigable waterway in the
country and the second longest river in the North Island.
It is full of rich cultural history, tradition, legend,
and mystery. It holds a special attraction for canoeists
due to its 239 listed rapids, which offer a wide variety
of challenges yet is still considered a novices river,
suitable for beginners. Thousands of canoeists take to
its waters each year, Canoe tour operators offer tours
to suit all ages and levels of experience, from fully
guided tours to self-hire. One of the features of the
Whanganui River and National Park is the famous 'Bridge
to Nowhere'. This fascinating structure in the Mangapurua
Valley was built in 1936 and provided access for a rural
pioneer settlement before the venture was abandoned. Regenerating
bush quickly covered the track in this remote area leaving
the relatively unused Bridge as the only reminder. The
Bridge can only be reached from the river by jet boat,
canoe or by a three-day walk.Jet boat trips are an exciting
way to see the magnificent scenery of the Whanganui River
and commercial jet boats operate throughout the year.
Pipiriki, 79 kilometres from the city of Wanganui, is
seen as the gateway to the Whanganui National Park and
includes an information centre and Museum located in the
historic Colonial House. There are several short walks
of both historic and scenic interest around the village
of Pipiriki. The River Road links Wanganui with Pipiriki
and offers an alternative for those who prefer to drive
rather than travel by canoe or boat. From Pipiriki you
can either retrace your journey to Wanganui or continue
inland to Raetihi.The road provides stunning views of
the Whanganui River and opens access to a wealth of Maori
and European history. Along the Road there are beautifully
restored Marae, visitors are welcome but permission must
obtained before entering.
Further along the River Road, towards Wanganui is the
picturesque village of Jerusalem (Hiruhirama). Originally
a larger Maori village known as Patiarero, it was once
home to famous New Zealand poet James K Baxter, and Sister
Mary Aubert whose Catholic Mission remains there to this
day.There are also many other sites of historical and
cultural interest along the River Road. The Information
Centres at Raetihi, Wanganui, and Pipiriki will be able
to provide you with further details. A number of accommodation
options are available along the Whanganui River and River
Road.
Visitors to the city discover its historic waterway with
a whole new sense of the past, meeting people who live
and work on the river, preserving New Zealand's early
river life and offering hospitality that is one of a kind.
Climate
Wanganui has a pleasant climate with more than 2000 hours
of bright sunshine per year (similar to Auckland, Wellington
and Christchurch), and relatively few extremes compared
with many other New Zealand centres.
Visit
the wanganuinz.com website
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