Things To Do In Wanganui

Bridge To Nowhere

Experience the natural and cultural heritage of the mighty Whanganui River and National Park. Jet boat through the majestic fern-clad gorges and takes a fully guided tour into the Valley of Abandoned Dreams. Comfortable accommodation, canoes available. Come and join us for your total Whanganui River adventure.

Choose from canoeing 1-5 days, jet/canoe jet boat up river and canoe back down, jet boat tours to the Bridge to Nowhere (4 hours), tramping or just relax at the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge.

Whanganui River Boat - PS Waimarie

For a truly unique maritime heritage experience, take a cruise aboard New Zealand's last paddlesteamer, the PS 'Waimarie' (est 1900), voted Wanganui's No 1 visitor attraction. Summer timetable: Click here to view sailing times and prices. The 'Waimarie' travels 13km up the Whanganui River to Upokongaro (3 hours duration with 1 hour stopover on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays), then returns to the Whanganui Riverboat Centre & Museum.

Schedules may be changed at short notice due to river conditions. Other sailings and charters by arrangement; all types of functions and social events catered for. Ticket prices: adult $39; child 5-15yrs $15; child under 5yrs free; family concession $89 (2 adults and up to 3 children). Bookings recommended for this popular river cruise.

The Sarjent Art Gallery

The Sarjeant Gallery is one of the finest purpose-built art galleries in New Zealand. Located on the hill in Queens Park, the heart of art, culture and heritage in Wanganui. This magnificent historic building has over 5000 works of art in its care. These include 19th and 20th century British and New Zealand artworks, a significant body of photography and a large and dynamic collection of contemporary New Zealand art.

Enjoy a quality art experience, with regularly changing exhibitions from local, national and international sources ranging through all media. Open 7 days 10.30am-4.30pm, Anzac Day 1pm-4.30pm, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Admission by donation.

Kowhai Park

Kowhai Park flanking the eastern bank of the Whanganui River was so named following the planting of a kowhai tree by Lord Liverpool at the opening ceremony in 1917. Today the park's southern end is still dominated by plantings, but has been joined by an intriguing children's playground bursting with colour, shape and activity. Kowhai Park is one of the most popular attractions for families visiting Wanganui.

The park features, amongst other things, sea serpent swings, storybook characters such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a brontosaurus slide, pirate ship, flying fox and water maze. Added attractions to the park are the miniature railway and roller beetles, which run on weekends and public holidays. The park also provides a 'pumpkin' BBQ area with gas-fired BBQs for families to enjoy.

Bushy Park

The Only Place That You Can Find a True Kiwi If There Aren’t Sleeping

The area now known as Bushy Park has been settled for at least the past 4000 years: the earliest archaeological records that have been found on the site date back to the Bronze Age. There is also evidence that the area was used in the Medieval period as fields. When Henry VIII took over Hampton Court Palace from Thomas Cardinal Wolsey in 1529, the King also took over the three parks that make up modern day Bushy Park: Hare Warren, Middle Park and Bushy Park. A keen hunter, he established them as deer-hunting grounds.

The Park has long been popular with locals, but also attracts those from further afield. From the mid nineteenth Century until World War II Londoners celebrated Chestnut Sunday here, coming to see the blooming of the trees along Chestnut Avenue (this tradition resumed in 1993).

Chronicle Glass Studio

Based in the historic Old Town, this collective of glassblowers occupies part of a 1912 building, once home to the city's daily newspaper, the oldest still in print. The public is welcomed to view the glassblowing process in the former press pit then browse the stunning handcrafted glass on display in the mezzanine retail gallery.

A highlight of any trip to Wanganui is a visit to Chronicle Glass Studio, in the heart of the historic Old Town. Chronicle Glass is a working/teaching studio, where the visitor can view the glass blowing process, and see glass artists in action. They also have a studio shop where you can view, and purchase, the stunning pieces on display.