Whanganui Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Whanganui
Whanganui
Whanganui
Whanganui
Photo by Paul Billaney

This charming city has long been known for its abundance of cultural and historical delights as well as its gorgeous riverside location.

Fertile soils, a temperate climate and plenty of fresh water made Wanganui one of New Zealand’s most successful Māori settlements during the 1800s. Nowadays, Wanganui is best known for its great museums, riverboat cruises and pleasant surrounding countryside.

Discover the area’s indigenous past with a visit to the Whanganui Regional Museum. Here you can see the spectacular Te Mata o Hoturoa War Canoe. This was constructed from a single tree and is covered with exquisite carvings. View more historical objects and learn about the cultures of the Māori tribes. You will also find a range of interactive displays that take a look at some of the North Island’s indigenous animals and plants.

If you like the examples of Māori art in the museum, head to Sarjeant Gallery where you can see fascinating tribal artworks. You will also see a range of local landscapes by the artists Domenico Piola, William Etty and Lelio Orsi, among others.

From here, head to the waterfront Chronicle Glass Studio. Watch as professional glass blowers shape intricate vases, or try it out for yourself during a 1-day course. Create a colorful paperweight to take home as a souvenir.

A short stroll across the park will take you to the Whanganui Riverboat Centre. Here, several displays explore the history of the river, but the highlight is the restored boat, the Waimarie. Known for being the last of the paddle steamboats used in Wanganui, the Waimarie sank in 1952 and lay submerged for 41 years. After a painstaking restoration, this historic vessel is once again taking passengers on gentle cruises along the tranquil river.

Wanganui has a range of accommodation options to meet different requirements. A number of restaurants and hotels in the town serve hearty local cuisine.

Fly into Wanganui’s local airport or drive from Auckland in around 5 hours and Wellington within 3 hours. It’s worth staying a few days in Wanganui to explore some of the pretty surrounding countryside and take in its rich cultural heritage.

Where to stay in Whanganui

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Castlecliff

Visitors to Castlecliff enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Castlecliff Beach is worth a stop.

Castlecliff
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Aramoho

While Aramoho may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Virginia Lake and Durie Hill Elevator.

Aramoho
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Whanganui East

While Whanganui East may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Durie Hill Elevator and Sarjeant Gallery.

Whanganui East
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Gonville

Though Gonville may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Durie Hill Elevator and Virginia Lake.

Gonville
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Okoia

While visiting Okoia, you might make a stop by sights like Virginia Lake and South Beach.

Okoia
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College Estate

While College Estate may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Whanganui Museum and Sarjeant Gallery.

College Estate
The Avenue Hotel
The Avenue Hotel
3 out of 5
379 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui
The price is NZ$139 per night from 23 July to 24 July
NZ$139
23 July - 24 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Whanganui. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room service ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (280 reviews)
Great location
"Location is great near to everything. My boys minimizes their voices because there is a charge of $85 for noises. No sky Tv though just normal 5 Tv chanel boys wanting to watch movies. But other than that was good."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

The Avenue Hotel
151 on London Motel
151 on London Motel
4.5 out of 5
151 London Street, Whanganui
The price is NZ$131 per night from 2 Aug to 3 Aug
NZ$131
2 Aug - 3 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star business-friendly motel in Whanganui. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (416 reviews)
"Great place to stay with full restaurant for all meals. Really good food at restaurant."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

151 on London Motel
Burwood Manor Motel
Burwood Manor Motel
2.5 out of 5
63-65 Dublin Street, Whanganui
The price is NZ$161 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$161
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Whanganui. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Ward Observatory and Whanganui Museum are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (312 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Kelly was so friendly and super helpful."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Burwood Manor Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aotea Motor Lodge
Aotea Motor Lodge
4.5 out of 5
390 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Whanganui. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a business center. Popular attractions Ward Observatory and Whanganui ...
9/10 Wonderful! (390 reviews)
"Good location and close to everything once would need"

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Aotea Motor Lodge
Historic summer house by the sea
Historic summer house by the sea
Castlecliff
Stay at this vacation home in Whanganui. Enjoy laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Castlecliff Beach and South Beach are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (77 reviews)
Monday Cottage : Castlecliff
"Monday Cottage at Castlecliff is a charming and delightful holiday cottage. It has a very nostalgic feel, and the furnishings are brilliant to the period. It is close to the main beach which has lovely sunsets. For anyone wanting a true taste of period New Zealand then this is an ideal holiday base ..."

Reviewed on 6 Mar. 2025

Historic summer house by the sea
Tui's Retreat - Peaceful, Private, and Close to Town
Tui's Retreat - Peaceful, Private, and Close to Town
Westmere
Stay at this apartment in Whanganui. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Virginia Lake and Ward Observatory are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Whanganui retreat
"Had a very relaxing time here. The apartment is well equipped, very comfortable and in a very scenic spot. Also close to town. Would definitely go back."

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

Tui's Retreat - Peaceful, Private, and Close to Town
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Whanganui

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
65
5 - Excellent 30%
4 - Good
124
4 - Good 57%
3 - Okay
28
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots to see and do. Stayed two nights, and didn’t manage to see everything we wanted to. Shame we missed the Durie elevator (closed due to Covid restrictions).

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful place , lovely older style buildings , great parks for kids plenty to do and see .

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

No

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

very pleasing place

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The Whanganui Council have done a wonderful job of decorating the Victoria St area, with hanging baskets of flowers and well maintained flower beds, the whole town always looked sparkling clean, no debri ever in sight, it really was a credit to them.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quaint place that's rather old school in how a lot of restaurants, cafes etc were either shut early or not open at all during the weekend! Very arty, but also felt like a retirement village.