Positioned where the Whanganui River meets the South Taranaki Bight, Whanganui is a small city with a rich Māori heritage. It’s home to a fascinating local history museum and is near the lush forests and volcanic landscapes of the Whanganui and Tongariro national parks.

Things to do

Explore Tongariro National Park, where the Ngauruhoe Volcano starred as Mount Doom in “The Lord of the Rings” films. Follow the Tongariro Alpine Crossing trail past emerald lakes and boiling pools of mud or hit the ski trails on the slopes of Ruapehu Volcano.

Just to the west sprawls Whanganui National Park, which centres around New Zealand's longest navigable waterway, the Whanganui River. Once a vital transport route for Māori and early European settlers, its spectacular gorges are now the setting for exhilarating kayaking, white-water rafting and jet boating adventures.

If you’re visiting Whanganui National Park, stop for a photo at the Bridge to Nowhere, a concrete landmark that spans the deep Mangapurua Gorge. Surrounded by lush native forest, it’s only accessible on foot, by mountain bike or jet boat and offers spectacular views of the steep valley and riverbed.

Delve into the local history at the Whanganui Regional Museum where Māori artefacts are displayed alongside Pacific tapa and ceramics from Cyprus. Learn about the struggles of early settlers in the region and their attempts to tame the wilderness, then browse the Māori jewellery and local souvenirs in the museum shop.

Getting around

Whanganui Airport is a 10-minute drive from the downtown area, while the larger Palmerston North International Airport is an hour away. Whanganui is around six hours’ drive from Auckland and can be explored on foot or by using local buses.