Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Whanganui, North Island

April 17, 2022 Malia Yoakum

Whanganui (/ˈhwɒŋənuːi/; Māori: [ɸaŋanui]), also spelt Wanganui, is a city on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The Whanganui River, New Zealand's longest navigable waterway, runs from Mount Tongariro to the sea. Whanganui is part of the Manawatu-Wanganui region.
Restaurants in Whanganui

1. Riverland Family Park

Anzac parade, Whanganui New Zealand +64 27 931 6188 http://www.riverlandfamilypark.co.nz/
Excellent
86%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 43 reviews

Riverland Family Park

2. Motor Vessel Wairua

Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Motor Vessel Wairua

Whanganui’s most authentic river experience. Step aboard Motor Vessel WAIRUA and be transported back in time to 1904, the height of the Whanganui riverboat era. Join our Upokongaro Village Cruise and head up the Whanganui River to Upokongaro, a classic New Zealand village with dining options and a beautifully restored historic church. Departing 11:00am Tuesday to Saturday. 3.5 hours duration including lunch stop. Adult $40 Child $15 Family (2+2) $95 Book on 0800 WAIRUA

3. Bushy Park Sanctuary

791 Rangitatau East Road Whanganui, Whanganui 4578 New Zealand +64 27 631 0105 http://www.bushyparksanctuary.org.nz/
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 46 reviews

Bushy Park Sanctuary

Reviewed By 775gilvray - Cambridge, New Zealand

we had morning tea of fresh scones, jam and cream.. the service was wonderful warm a nd friendly. this place is a must for a visit to Whanganui.

4. Whanganui National Park

Whanganui New Zealand
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Whanganui National Park

Reviewed By RocheMaree - Hawera, New Zealand

Amazing! Started our day trip driving from Whanganui one hour up the winding, narrow River Road to Pipiriki. We passed through many beautiful small villages perched on the river bank. The photo ops are amazing and the trip a great start to the day. We had booked a 4 hour Bridge to Nowhere trip with Whanganui River Adventures. It started with a 32km jetboat ride up the river and then a 40 min tramp in the National Park to the amazing Bridge to Nowhere. The track was easy going and multipurpose with it also being part of the Te Araroa (Cape Reinga to Bluff) Cycleway. The bush and the river valley is pristine, beautiful and ancient. All bought fantastically alive with the knowledge of our local tour guide whose family has lived on the river and farmed the land in the Park for 6 generations. An amazing day in an amazing place!

5. Whanganui River

Whanganui New Zealand +64 800 862 743 http://www.whanganuiriveradventures.co.nz
Excellent
62%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 291 reviews

Whanganui River

Reviewed By RocheMaree - Hawera, New Zealand

So many ways to experience this beautiful river. The lower reaches are tidal and the river looks beautiful on a full tide. On a low tide watch the wading birds on the mudflats, so beautiful at sunset. See it from above in its full glory as it snakes through the city from the top of Durie Hill. Walk or cycle the paved riverbank. Take a leisurely trip on the Waimarie paddle steamer. Feeling energetic? Take a half day up to a 5 day kayak/canoe trip into the upper reaches. We drove the winding River Road through original small settlements dotted along the bank up to Pipiriki and then took a Whanganui River Adventures jetboat on a four hour trip further up the river to hike to the Bridge to Nowhere. It was amazing learning the history of the river and the area from our tour guide along the way. This river certainly has some tales to tell.

6. Paddle Steamer Waimarie

Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

Paddle Steamer Waimarie

Undoubtedly the most authentic way to experience Whanganui River’s scenery and history cruising aboard the iconic Paddle Steamer Waimarie - NZ’s only coal fired paddle steamer operating from the golden riverboat era. Cruising October to May - View cruise information, timetable, prices and purchase tickets online at our website. Also available for private charters. The Riverboat Museum is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9.30am to 1.30pm where you can view riverboat and awa history and memorabilia.

7. Kowhai Park

Whanganui New Zealand http://whanganuinz.com/item/kowhai-park
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 225 reviews

Kowhai Park

Reviewed By Grannybee1 - Whanganui, New Zealand

Play equipment for all ages in a safe, park like setting, including water play areas. Have taken our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to this lovely area. Also has train rides, pirate ship, flying fox, and skate and bike area.

8. Bason Botanic Gardens

552 Rapanui Road, Whanganui 4574 New Zealand +64 6-349 0001 http://www.basonbotanicgardens.org.nz
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 177 reviews

Bason Botanic Gardens

Reviewed By valandrobw - Carterton, New Zealand

This is an amazing place to visit. There is so much to see with lots of picnic areas and beautiful planting of all kinds of trees and ferns etc., hothouse with incredible orchids etc.,

9. Virginia Lake

Great North Road, Whanganui 4500 New Zealand +64 800 926 426 http://whanganuinz.com/item/virginia-lake
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 414 reviews

Virginia Lake

Reviewed By 20carolj - Palmerston North, New Zealand

This is the jewel in the crown for Wanganui.Unwind and meander along the different tracks around the lake taking in a different vista with every turn. There are two main tracks , one along the edge of lake and another upper track running parallel .Its an easy 45 min walk with bridges and water fowl, all wheelchair accessible. Along the way you pass gazebos, a band rotunda and bronze statues. One statue is Tainui depicting a woman and another of Peter Pan with NZ creatures surrounding him. The fountain is coin operated by the seat with the large mural of a swan. There are toilets on site and other amenities. A beautiful place to stroll/run and take the children .

10. Durie Hill Elevator

Whanganui New Zealand http://whanganuinz.com/item/durie-hill-elevator-and-tower
Excellent
51%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 383 reviews

Durie Hill Elevator

Reviewed By 676gabrielleb - Greater Hobart, Australia

A unique experience including the walk down the underground tunnel to get to the elevator. Once at the top the views over Whanganui & the river are great, even better if you climb either one of the towers at the top.

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