Tourist information - Wanganui
The Wanganui region is on the lower West Coast of the North Island, south of Taranaki and also the Taupo/Ruapehu regions.
This area is famous for maori culture, heritage, Whanganui National Park and also river adventures. The region takes its name from the city of Wanganui, which rests within the banks of the spectacular Whanganui River. Around the early 1900's, visitors called the Whanganui River the 'Rhine of New Zealand' - it’s the longest navigable river at the country, with 239 rapids and also stunning bush scenery. There are various ways to explore the Whanganui River - jet boat, kayak, canoe, raft, paddle steamer - or perhaps around the end of a fly-fishing rod. You may also follow the trail to the mysterious ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, established along the Mangapurua Gorge to give access to an isolated settlement that was finally abandoned in 1942. Currently only the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ remains.
To the east of Wanganui lie the city of Palmerston North, the towns of Feilding, Ashhurst and many rural villages. You’ll also find the southern hemisphere's largest wind farm. The dramatic, diverse landscape of the area features a range of unique experiences. Along with excellent brown trout fly-fishing within the Rangatikei River, there’s the chance to see rare and also migrating birds at the Manawatu river estuary. Adrenaline enthusiasts can jet boat through the region’s most identifiable natural icon, the formidable Manawatu Gorge. You can also throw yourself out of aeroplanes as well as off bridges, ascend walls as well as rocks, or even descend into caves, saddle up for an overnight horse trek, tackle the terrain in a 4WD (four-wheel drive)... the possibilities go on.
Ljao/jan/1v21