The Manawatu is an area of the lower (southern) North Island of New Zealand. It is centred on the city of Palmerston North and a broad flat river plain, much of which has been formed by the mighty Manawatu river, one of the few rivers in the world to bisect a mountain range.

The Manawatu River estuary at Foxton Beach

Cities

• 1 Palmerston North – home to Massey University
• 2 Bulls
• 3 Feilding
• 4 Levin
• 5 Marton
• 6 Shannon

Other destinations

• 1 Vinegar Hill - popular camping ground on the Rangitikei River, which for 30 years has hosted an annual gay and lesbian New Year's Eve party

Understand

Manawatu is part of the local government region of Manawatu-Wanganui, along with the Whanganui region.

Get in

By plane

Palmerston North Airport (PMR ^IATA)

By bus

Intercity Coachlines operates NZ's national bus network with daily departures. Tickets can be purchased online or throughout the country at numerous agents including the i-site network.

By car

State Highways 1 and 3 run through the Manawatu.

Do

Explore nature walks, cycle tracks and conservation areas. The beaches are a rolling playground for the whole family. Swimming, sailing, surfing, and fishing, diving or just lazing the hours away soaking up the sun. The children can discover places to build driftwood shelters.

Levin has a marvellous children's adventure playground, including volleyball court to exhaust their energy and a BBQ area to fuel them up for more fun.

For a bit of nature experience the Manawatu River at Foxton Beach is listed as a Wetland of International Importance. The bird life has to be seen to be believed.

Levin's Murrayfield Clyesdales is another good stop for country food at the cafe, while the kids can feed the farm animals.

Go next

Kapiti Coast, Whanganui region, Hawke's Bay, or Wairarapa