Whanganui or Wanganui is a city on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the mouth of the Whanganui River, which flows from Mount Tongariro via the stunning Whanganui National Park. The district has a population of about 48,000 in 2022.

Understand

The name Whanganui comes from the Maori words whanga, for a bay or harbour, and nui meaning big or large. However, when the early colonists heard the placename said in the local Maori accent with a softly spoken wh that sounded more like a wo sound, rather than the classical Maori fh sound, they spelled the placename as Wanganui rather than Whanganui. Now, either spelling is officially acceptable, and the trend is towards using Whanganui.

Additionally, the Whanganui River is also legally a person, which interests tourists when visiting.

History

Founded in 1840 and named Petre until 1852, Whanganui is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand.

Information

Tourist and visitor information is available from:

• 1 i-Site Visitor Information Centre, 31 Taupo Quay, ☏ +64 6 349 0508, fax: +64 6 349 0509, info@whanganuinz.com. M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-4PM. For accommodation, travel and transport information and bookings. (updated Jan 2017)

Get in

By car

Whanganui is between Palmerston North and New Plymouth, at the junction of State Highway 4 (SH4) with State Highway 3 (SH3). It is a two and a half hour drive from Wellington, using State Highways 1 and 3 (SH1 and SH3) and a six hour drive from Auckland, via Hamilton, using State Highways 1 and 4 (SH1 and SH4).

By bus

There are daily coach services from Wellington, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Auckland.

• InterCity, Bus stop outside The Tram Shed, 26 Taupo Quay. (updated Nov 2024)

By plane

Whanganui Airport has several Auckland flights in or out daily by Air Chathams using Saab 340A and Metroliner III. Air New Zealand flights have ceased.

By train

The nearest railway station with a passenger service is at Marton (40 km away).

Get around

A mixture of walking and taking buses is generally the most cost-effective way to get around Whanganui. Buses generally depart every hour from Maria Place Extension. There is also a taxi company.

• River City Taxis, ☏ +64 6 345 3333, toll-free: 0800 345 3333. 

See

• Wanganui in Bloom. From December to March, hundreds of hanging flower baskets line the streets of central Whanganui. 
• 1 Whanganui Regional Museum, Watt Street. Daily 10AM-4:30PM. An extensive collection of natural and human artifacts with a strong regional emphasis. Free, donations welcome. (updated Oct 2023)
• 2 Sarjeant Gallery, 38 Taupo Quay. Daily 10AM-4:30PM. Well known for its large collection of British, European and NZ art. Free. 
• 3 Bason Botanic Gardens, 552 Rapanui Rd. Daily 8AM-dusk. Has both indoor and outdoor gardens with some bush walks. 
• 4 Waimarie Museum, 1A Taupo Quay. Th - Su 10AM - 2PM. Contains fascinating displays of river-related artefacts and photographs of the riverboat era. Also offers river cruises in a paddle steamer on Saturdays 11AM & 2PM in Jan - Mar. free (charges for cruises). (updated Oct 2023)
• Various art exhibitions. Held around Whanganui's city centre at almost all times. Much of it is student work from UCOL, and the best exhibitions usually take place in the acclaimed Whanganui School of Design, which has a very nice tight-knit staff that can hold very interesting conversations. However, don't ask Tanya Roberson about dogs or memes, you'll be there for hours. 
• 5 Wanganui Collegiate School. A state-integrated coeducational boarding, secondary school that was founded in 1854, which has a beautiful campus with some attractive old brick buildings. You cannot drive through the grounds during school hours as the school's main thoroughfare - the only one wide enough for cars - is used heavily throughout the day.  
• The Whanganui River. Around 300 km long. It is the longest navigable river and the second longest river in the North Island. There are a number of operators who offer canoeing, rafting and jetboat trips. The Mangapurua stream (tributary to the Whanganui) is bridged by the famous Bridge to Nowhere. This was built to provide access to settlers establishing farms in the Mangapurua Valley. The settlements no longer exist but the bridge remains as an eloquent reminder. It can be reached from the Mangapurua Landing on the Whanganui which is a 1.5 hour walk round trip. The landing can be reached by drive to Pipiriki then a jet boat ride. Additionally, the river is also legally a person. 
• 6 Whanganui Tramways Museum, 27 Moutoa Quay. Su 1PM - 3PM. Tram rides on Sundays and some holidays. (updated Oct 2023)
• 7 Old Fire Station, 139 Guyton Street. Built in 1921 with an Italian Renaissance influence, this building was the fire station until 1981. (updated Nov 2024)
• 8 Cooks Gardens (Westpac Stadium), Maria Place. A stadium and a park. It is used as a sporting facility commenced in 1896. Peter Snell lowered the world mile record by a tenth of a second here on 27 January 1962. Since then, the four minute mile has been broken 63 times at Cooks Gardens by 41 athletes. Its re-development was completed in 2004 with the construction of two further grandstands. (updated Nov 2024)
• Clock Tower, Cooks Garden. This tower was located on the site of the old York Stockade, one of the town’s defense dating back to the 1850s. Rebuilt in 1891, replacing the original one at the same location. The original fire bell, a Sheffield bell dated 1874, is still in this tower. Four clock bells, manufactured by John Taylor and Co., Loughborough, England in 1903, moved into this tower after the 1930s earthquakes, which destroyed the post office clock tower in Victoria Avenue. The clock bells still ring at every 15 minutes today. (updated Nov 2024)
• 9 Utopia Studio Gallery, 68E Guyton Street, ☏ +64 210759108. Th–Su 11AM-3PM. Art gallery with clay, photography, installation art, and exhibition. For example, from 7 Nov 2024 to 25 Jan 2025, there is a photography exhibition of works by Richard Wotton, retired staff photographer at the Sarjeant Gallery. (updated Dec 2024)

Do

• Durie Hill Elevator (across from the City Bridge). Accessed by the Durie Hill pedestrian tunnel, it is the only underground elevator in New Zealand. It has two viewpoints. 
• Waimarie. Take a two-hour cruise up the river on NZ's only coal-fired historic paddle steamer. 
• Heritage Walks. Discover the history of one of NZ's oldest European settlements. 

Buy

• Trafalgar Square. Shopping centre on Taupo Quay was opened in 1989 with New Zealand's largest K-Mart store. K-Mart has since been replaced by The Warehouse, which shares the complex with a range of other shops including Wendy's. NZ Post Shop Wanganui is located within this mall. (updated Nov 2024)
• Phaedra. A small but well-stocked gothic apparel store near the Red Eye Cafe. The staff are friendly and the store smells pleasingly of incense. 
• Stardust Creations. A rather artsy-fartsy new age store with a confused demographic, but it sells some very beautiful unique hand-made necklaces between $5 and $50 that, while bereft of mineral value, are generally much prettier and more interesting than diamonds. Perfect for a bohemian friend. 
• 1 Best Choice Whanganui, 188 Victoria Avenue. An Indian grocery store. You can buy Indian foods and spices here. (updated Nov 2024)
• 2 Whanganui Photo & Print, 143 Victoria Avenue. A photo & print shop. Convenient if you need some photos for passport or visa. You can also buy 35mm films here. $90 for 3 rolls of Kodak Gold or Ultramax and $45 for one roll of AGFA APX 100. (updated Nov 2024)

Eat

• Jabee Kebabs, 168 Victoria Ave, ☏ +64 6-347 2800. Really good kebabs. 
• Japanese Kitchen WA, 92 Victoria Ave. (updated Nov 2017)
• Kebabholik, 155 Victoria Ave, ☏ +64 6-348 8332. A rather good Turkish fast food joint next to the main street Subway. 
• Kristy's Cafe, 151A London St. (updated Nov 2017)
• Red Eye Cafe, Guyton St, ☏ +64 6-345 5646. Right up there with the best cafes in Wellington and Auckland. 
• Rutland Arms Inn, cnr Victoria Ave & Ridgway St. (updated Nov 2017)
• Thistles, 136 Victoria Ave, ☏ +64 6-345 0143. A small but well-stocked sweet shop with extensive range, and features homemade sweets as well as bulk candy. 
• The Yellow House Cafe, 17 Pitt St. (updated Nov 2017)

Drink

• Red Lion Cafe and Bar/Pub (along the waterfront.). A nice atmosphere with pool tables and big screen TV's to watch the rugby. 
• Stellar (at the bottom of the town on the main street). Does good food early evening and then a spot for the young ones later on F Sa after 11PM. 

Sleep

• 151 on London (Motel 151 on London), 151 London St (At the north end of town on State Highway 3), ☏ +64 6 345 8668, stay@151onlondon.co.nz. 26 suites including studios and 4 family apartments. 
• Anndion Lodge, 143 ANZAC Parade, Whanganui East (on SH 4, 5 minutes drive from CBD), ☏ +64 6 343 3593, fax: +64 6 343 3056, info@anndionlodge.co.nz. A bed and breakfast-style travellers' lodge on the banks of the Whanganui River. Also a function centre. From $65. 
• Aotea Motor Lodge, 390 Victoria Ave, ☏ +64 6 345 0303, info@aoteamotorlodge.co.nz. Luxury. $160-$200. 
• Arles, 50 Riverbank Rd, State Highway 4, Whanganui East, ☏ +64 6 343 6557, +64 21 257 8257 (mobile), fax: +64 6 343 6557, sue.day@clear.net.nz. Bed & breakfast & self-contained apartment. 
• Astral Motel and Apartments, 45 Somme Parade, ☏ +64 6 347 9063, toll-free: 0800 509 063 (Reservations NZ only), astralmotel@clear.net.nz. 
• B-K’s Magnolia Motor Lodge, 240 St Hill St, ☏ +64 6 348 0020, toll-free: 0800 166 835 (Reservations NZ only), b-ks.magnolia@xtra.co.nz. 
• Braemar House, 2 Plymouth St, ☏ +64 6 347 2529, fax: +64 6 347 2529, contact@braemarhouse.co.nz. 
• Burwood Manor Motel, 63-65 Dublin St, ☏ +64 6 345 2180, toll-free: 0800 20 20 63 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 8711, bookings@burwoodmotel.co.nz. 
• Wanganui Seaside Holiday Park, 1A Rangiora Street, Castlecliff (8km from the city centre), ☏ +64 6 344 2227. 3 acres of park like grounds Powered site $36, unpowered $30, cabins from $45. 
• Coachmans Lodge Motel, 30 Liffiton St, toll-free: 0508 262 246, fax: +64 6 345 2227, coachmanslodge@xtra.co.nz. 
• Cooks Gardens Motor Lodge, 170 Guyton St, ☏ +64 6 345 6003, toll-free: 0800 800 843 (Reservations NZ only), cgml@xtra.co.nz. Qualmark rated 4+ star accommodation in the heart of Whanganui. 15 ground floor accessible units, wireless internet, spa bath units, kitchen facilities. Note that this lodge is near the Cooks Gardens but not inside the Cooks Gardens. 
• Fiesta Court Motel, 56 Heads Rd, ☏ +64 6 345 8209, toll-free: 0800 22 25 25 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 6479, fiestacourtmotel@xtra.co.nz. 
• Gateway Motor Lodge, Cnr Southern Motorway and Heads Road, ☏ +64 6 345 8164, toll-free: 0800 37 23 24 (Reservations NZ only), gatewaywanganui@xtra.co.nz. 
• The Grand Hotel, Cnr Guyton and St Hill Streets, ☏ +64 6 345 0955, fax: +64 6 345 0953, the-grand-hotel@xtra.co.nz. 
• Kings Court Motel, 58-60 Plymouth Street, PO Box 4029 (within 200 metres of the city centre), ☏ +64 6 345 8586, toll-free: 0800 221 222 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 0222. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. 12 ground floor accessible units (8 x studio, 4 x 1-bedroom) units), all with kitchen facilities, Wireless or Dial-up Internet. Qualmark rated 3 Star Plus. A member of Host Accommodation Group. Motel is pet free and units are smoke free. 
• Kingsgate Hotel The Avenue, 379 Victoria Avenue, PO Box 7000, ☏ +64-6-349 0044, fax: +64-6-345 3250, theavenue@xtra.co.nz. 
• Ocean Heights Motel, 40 Rangiora Street, Castlecliff, ☏ +64 6 344 4144, oceanheights@xtra.co.nz. 
• Quality Inn Collegiate Hotel, 122 Liverpool St, ☏ +64 6 345 8309, toll-free: 0800 942 943 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 6204, motorinn@xtra.co.nz. $125-150 (2 persons). 
• Raceway Motel, Cnr Purnell Street & Hurworth Place, ☏ +64 6 345 8224, fax: +64 6 345 8223, racewaymotel@clear.net.nz. 
• Riverside Motel, 30 Somme Parade, ☏ +64 6 345 2448, toll-free: 0800 853 3333 (Reservations NZ only), riverside.motel@xtra.co.nz. 
• Riverview Motel, 14 Somme Parade, ☏ +64 6 345 2888, toll-free: 0800 102 001 (Reservations NZ only), riverview.motel@xtra.co.nz. 
• Rutland Arms Inn, 48-52 Ridgway St, ☏ +64 6 347 7677, toll-free: 0800 788 5263 (0800 RUTLAND - Reservations NZ only), enquiries@rutlandarms.co.nz. Has restaurant. 
• Siena Motor Lodge, 335 Victoria Avenue, PO Box 7126 Mid Avenue, Whanganui 4541, ☏ +64 6 345 9009, toll-free: 0800 88 88 02 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 9935, info@siena.co.nz. 
• Sports Lodge Motel, 3 Surrey Road, Springvale, ☏ +64 6 344 6351, toll-free: 0800 666 008 (Reservations NZ only), sports.lodge@clear.net.nz. 
• Tamara Lodge, 24 Somme Parade, ☏ +64 6 347 6300, tamaralodge@paradise.net.nz. Backpackers lodge in an Edwardian villa on the banks of the Whanganui River. $45 single room; from $25 shared rooms. 
• Wanganui Motor Lodge, 14 Alma Road, Gonville, ☏ +64 6 345 4742, toll-free: 0800 800 544 (Reservations NZ only), fax: +64 6 345 0235, wanganuimotorlodge@xtra.co.nz. 
• Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park, 460 Somme Parade, Aramoho, ☏ +64 6 343 8402, toll-free: 0800 272 664 (Reservations NZ only), wrivertop10@xtra.co.nz. 
• Bushy Park Homestead, 791 Rangitatau East Rd (turn inland at Kai Iwi on Rangitatau East Rd), ☏ +64 6 342 9879, info@bushypark.co.nz. Check-in: noon, check-out: 10AM. Historic homestead set in a lowland rainforest offering both B&B and backpacker-style accommodation. Very quiet location. Fully licensed cafe and evening meals by prior arrangement. Double B&B $125-155. 
• La Bella B&B (La Bella Bed and Breakfast), 7 Somme Parade (5 minutes walk along riverfront from iSite Info Centre), ☏ +64 6 3458787. Check-in: 2:30PM. Historic 19th century mansion overlooking the Whanganui river. River views from every window and three verandas. Lavishly furnished with antiques, paintings and artefacts from all over the world. $120-140. 

Go next

• Southeast to Feilding (50 mins)
• Northwest to Hawera (70 mins)
• Northeast to Tongariro National Park (encompassing Mt Ruapehu) and the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields are within 2 hours drive.
• North to Whanganui National Park