What to do and see in Manawatu-Wanganui Region, North Island: The Best Historic Sites

April 6, 2022 Veronika Gaddis

Discover the best top things to do in Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand including St Joseph's Church, De Molen, Windmill, Durie Hill Memorial Tower, Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial, Cameron Blockhouse, Te Porere Redoubt, William Birch Pools, Anzac Park, War Memorial Hall.
Restaurants in Manawatu-Wanganui Region

1. St Joseph's Church

5050 Whanganui River Road, Jerusalem 4576 New Zealand +64 6-342 8190
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

St Joseph's Church

St Joseph's Church Hiruhārama/Jerusalem is known as New Zealand's most photographed church. The first church was destroyed by fire in 1888, so this is the second church building on the site. In 1992 it was given a 'B' rating by the NZ Historic Places Trust. The Sisters of Compassion have been present at Jerusalem since 1883 when Suzanne Aubert established a convent school. They are kaitiaki (guardians) of the church, old convent, and grounds, and have always worked in partnership with the local tangata whenua. The old convent has good facilities for independent (self-catering) groups, including showers and large community rooms. Accommodation is dormitory style, with single beds, a cot and bassinet. There are up to 20 beds. Please bring your own bed linen / sleeping bags. Catering is not provided so please bring your own food. There is a per night charge

Reviewed By yas4321

Finally at the age of 71...I have been lucky enough to travel down the beautiful Whanganui River Road and visit St. Joseph's Church in Jerusalem...stunning Church!

2. De Molen, Windmill

96A Main Street, Foxton 4814 New Zealand [email protected] http://demolenfoxton.org.nz
Excellent
55%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 102 reviews

De Molen, Windmill

Our Dutch name “De Molen” translates to “the Mill”. In the Netherlands, the country of windmills, a molen is, by default, a windmill with its type only specified if it is not wind driven. De Molen was built, and is run, by volunteers under the management of The Foxton Windmill Trust Inc., a charitable society.Plans and specifications were obtained from the Netherlands and de Molen is, apart from alterations made to conform with New Zealand building codes, an exact replica of a 17th century Dutch flourmill.Equipped with the latest design composite millstones,

Reviewed By ozkiwis2016 - Lower Hutt, New Zealand

The operating windmill milling maize rye wheat spelt built 2003 a exact replica of a 17th century Dutch windmill the view from the 3rd level is well worth climbing the steep stairs.

3. Durie Hill Memorial Tower

Tower Crescent Durie Hill, Whanganui 4500 New Zealand http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/durie-hill-war-memorial
Excellent
49%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 76 reviews

Durie Hill Memorial Tower

Reviewed By SLRobinsonNZ - Whanganui, New Zealand

We regularly visit the Tower, every school holidays. The grandkids have the energy to make the climb and I stagger along behind them. At least when they reach the top before I get there they can't come to any harm as it has a 'cage' over the top of it. We love looking at the fantastic view and identifying places we know. If you are from out of town, use the historic elevator to get to the top of the hill. There is an earth cache at the Tower (for geocachers) and a Munzee at the top of the elevator. There are great things to photograph at the bottom of the elevator.

4. Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial

961 State Hwy, Ohakune 4691 New Zealand http://mch.govt.nz/nz-identity-heritage/national-monuments-war-graves/tangiwai-memorial
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Tangiwai Rail Disaster Memorial

A touching and very interesting memorial near the state highway, to the horrific train crash that occurred on Christmas Eve 1953 when the Wellington-Auckland night express train came off a damaged railway bridge into the river. This was caused by a huge wall of water (lahar) from the nearby Mt Ruapehu volcano. 151 were killed.

Reviewed By 20carolj - Palmerston North, New Zealand

It is hard to describe how one feels entering this site.To put yourself in that moment on Xmas eve 1953 when a huge wall of water from Mt Ruapehu ferociously washed away train carriages and its unsuspecting passengers. Reading the detailed information boards is sobering . On site there are toilets. RIP

5. Cameron Blockhouse

757 State Highway, Kaitoke New Zealand +64 800 926 426 [email protected] http://www.visitwhanganui.nz/cameron-blockhouse/
Excellent
25%
Good
75%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Cameron Blockhouse

Reviewed By SLRobinsonNZ - Whanganui, New Zealand

As a geocacher, I get to discover lots of interesting sites such as the blockhouse. There is a nice park ‘n grab geocache there and it is a great place to stop, stretch your legs and learn some of the local history. Definite worth a visit.

6. Te Porere Redoubt

State Highway 47, Tongariro National Park 3989 New Zealand
Excellent
0%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 6 reviews

Te Porere Redoubt

7. William Birch Pools

State Highway 3, Whanganui New Zealand
Excellent
14%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
14%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 14 reviews

William Birch Pools

8. Anzac Park

State Highway 2 3 KM north of Norsewood, Norsewood New Zealand http://www.tararuadc.govt.nz/Living-Here/Our-Towns/Norsewood
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1 reviews

9. War Memorial Hall

Main St At the corner of route 2 and Jones St, Eketahuna 4900 New Zealand +64 6-375 8149
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
100%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 1 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.