Wanganui Attractions

The best beaches in the vicinity of Wanganui are west of the town at Castlecliff, on the Whanganui estuary and at Mowhanau and Ototaka.

The best view of Queen's Park is from the neighboring Cook's Gardens that lie rather higher up, on the site of an old military fortification. The gardens are a pleasant open space with various sports grounds. In 1962 the middle-distance runner Peter Snell achieved his first world record here.

Further up the hill are a 19th C. wooden fire-watching tower and an observatory.

From Durie Hill, on which there are an outlook tower and a war memorial, there are fine views of the town, the coast and, in the distance, mounts Ruapehu and Taranaki.

This Maori church (1937) has magnificent carving by the great Maori woodcarver Pine Taiapa.

Putiki Pa, a Maori stronghold on the banks of the river, held out against hostile attacks until 1829 when Te Rauparaha and his warriors overpowered and massacred the defenders. In 1891 the river overflowed its banks and washed away the meeting house and many Maori canoes. A new meeting house and a storehouse were then built.

Whanganui National Park, which extends on both banks of the Whanganui River from its mouth at Wanganui to Taumarunui, was established in 1987. It is planned to develop Pipiriki as the headquarters of the park.

50km northwest of Wanganui is Waverley (pop. 1,600), near which are ancient rock drawings (difficult to access).