Wanganui is a town on the west coast of North Island and its name comes from the Maori for ‘big harbour’. The town is situated in the banks of the Whanganui River which flows directly from the foothills of Mount Tongariro. Wanganui is known for its Maori heritage and its national park.
Wanganui Airport Mini Guide
About Whanganui Airport
Whanganui Airport is 7km away from the town and it is easy to get there from the airport via taxi or hire car – always a good option to get the most out of your stay. There are domestic flights to the airport from Wellington and Auckland. These are scheduled by Air New Zealand and operated by Eagle Airways. There is also a weekly flight available to Taupo.
The airport is small with limited facilities but has a bright and comfortable lounge area for you to use whilst you wait for your flight. The South Beach Café provides good home cooked food, if you are hungry or you can just grab a coffee there. If you need further information on the area, there is a visitor kiosk in arrivals, where you can pick up maps and brochures or phone through for a taxi or to book accommodation.
About Wanganui
To really appreciate the town, take a guided walking tour and visit the Whanganui Regional Museum to understand more about local history. From City Bridge you can take the underground elevator to the War Memorial Tower at Durie Hill. Afterwards, you can explore the river area – take a 2 hour cruise on the Waimarie paddle steamer and visit the Riverboat Centre Museum.
If you are into adventure sports, you can kayak or raft down the Whanganui River. For art and culture lovers, there is the Sarjeant Art Gallery with art work from European and New Zealand artists and you can see a performance at the Royal Whanganui Opera House, built in 1901. If you love nature, take a bushwalk through the Bason Botanic Gardens and enjoy their indoor and outdoor displays.
In summertime, head out to Castlecliff Beach - it is just minutes from the town and is the best place to surf in the area or you can just take in a few sun rays. In winter, you can go skiing at the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields near Mount Ruapehu. Whatever the weather, you should spend a day exploring the Tongariro and Whanganui National Park and see the magnificent Mount Ruapehu. The parks are also ideal for hiking trails and adventure sports such mountain biking and rafting. Whilst you are there you can take a scenic train ride around the Raurimu Spiral or take a ‘Lord of the Rings’ tour to see some of the locations used in the movie.