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Top Manawatu/Wanganui hotels

Palmerston North Hotels: 26 Reviews - 70 Photos
Wanganui Hotels: 36 Reviews - 41 Photos
Ohakune Hotels: 1 Review - 4 Photos
Taihape Hotels: 0 Reviews
Waiouru Hotels: 1 Review - 4 Photos
Raurimu Hotels: 0 Reviews
National Park Hotels: 21 Reviews - 66 Photos
Mangaweka Hotels: 5 Reviews - 7 Photos
Bulls Hotels: 10 Reviews - 24 Photos
Ashhurst Hotels: 3 Reviews - 3 Photos
Foxton Hotels: 1 Review - 2 Photos
Levin Hotels: 1 Review - 5 Photos

Manawatu/Wanganui Things to Do

Entrance to Te Manawa.

by craic

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Entrance to Te Manawa.
by craic
Things to Do
by craic
Things to Do
by craic
Plenty of water going over the falls!
by balhannah
Taihape
by balhannah

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

DURIE HILL ELEVATOR @ WANGANUI

by balhannah

The Durie Hill pedestrian tunnel leads 205 metres inside the hill to the elevator which rises 66 metres.It was built in 1919, and is the only earthbound elevator in New Zealand and one of only two in the world. LOCATION...located opposite the Whanganui City Bridge, leads to the historic Durie Hill ElevatorThe elevator is open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6.00pm, Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday and public holidays 10.00am to 5.00pm.We didn't use the elevator, but drove to where it was located.A walkway offers an alternative route via the 191 steps up the hill.The lookouts are wonderful with excellent views over Wanganui. One (the orange tower) is above the elevator's machinery room and the other on the nearby Memorial Tower.The Memorial Tower was built from fossilised shell rock dated at more than two million years old!It is quite a walk to the top, I didn't count, but there are 176 steps...

SCENIC DRIVE WANGANUI TO RAETIHI

by balhannah

This drive is on Highway 4, not a highway for speed, but one which had lovely views most of the way. It you continue on from Raetihi, you will arrive at Taupo.The drive takes you on a windy road around the sides of Mountains with views of the Mangawhero Gorge where the Mangawhero river flows. Theres a little over 50kms of this windy section of road.We enjoyed the drive, and found a lovely lookout, with views over the Wanganui River near Wanganui end of the H4.

RAUKAWA FALLS

by balhannah

Raukawa Falls were a wide waterfall, thundering because of all the recent rain! Probably about 15metres high and 50metres wide. Stopped at the sign posted lookout on the (SH4) between Raetihi and Wanganui. Located here is a viewing platform allowing you to look below at the impressive waterfall in the distance.

TAIHAPE

by balhannah

Still heading towards Taupo, and we came across another small town, this one was'TAIHAPE' Not much here, but it is famous for being 'Gumboot Capital of New Zealand’.Annually, the ‘Gumboot Throwing Contest’ is held, in which participants endeavour to toss a gumboot the greatest distance across a paddock.Taihape is also known as ‘The place of the big bird’, referring to the 5 metre tall giant moa which was the main source of protein for New Zealand’s earliest inhabitants and was hunted to extinction.The only thing to see is the large Gumboot!North of Taihape is the Waiouru Military Base, which includes the Army Memorial Museum. The history of the New Zealand Army in times of war and peacekeeping operations is told with very realistic displays and audio-visuals.

MANGAWEKA

by balhannah

This is only a small town on the way to Taihape and the snow fields of Tongariro National Park.The Gorge on the Rangitikei River makes for outstanding views. You can do white water rafting, and jetboating.In town is a DC 3 Plane where you can enjoy coffee/tea & biscuits after you have bought them from the attached garage.

HUNTERVILLE

by balhannah

Travelling along Highway 1 heading to Taupo, we came across the small town of Hunterville. Hunterville is famous for its statue of the Huntaway, a unique Herding dog, in that it uses its voice to drive the sheep. It is used to herd Sheep & Cattle, and they are heavily relied on by their Farmer owners. The Dog is hardworking, intelligent, agile & responsive.One man with a good team of dogs can do the work of several men without dogs!In town, is a Statue of this hardworking Dog, we stopped and had a read, and found out all about this Dog!On the first Saturday after Labour Day they hold The Shepherds Shemozzle - a race with man and dog. The team will travel up hill and down dale and through the town obstacle course for a grand prize of $2000.00. Shepherds travel from all over New Zealand to compete for the top prize.

BULLS

by balhannah

BULLS is a small town located between Fielding and Marton on the North Island of New Zealand.How did it get such a name?It was named after James Bull who was an English settler who established the 1st general store in town in 1862.We stopped, and walked around the streets enjoyed the many funny signs.How did they come up with them all?SOME ARE : Consta-bull (police station) Responsi-bull (rubbish bins)Forgive-a-bull (anglican church) Bank-a-bull (bank)Cure-a-bull (medical centre) Full-as-a-bull (doner kebab)Bowl-a-bull (bowls club) Desire-a-bull (gift shop)Befriend-a-bull (friendship club) Freeze-a-bull (cold store)enjoy-a-bull, avail-a-bull, forgive-a-bull, i nform-a bull, delect-a-bull, indispens-a -bull, hosptit-a-bull