Manawatu-Whanganui Region New Zealand

Manawatu-Whanganui is the North Islands second largest region, with boundaries being Taumarunui to the north, Levin to the south, over the Ruahine Ranges to the east at Cape Turnagain and the Pacific Ocean, and the Tasman Sea being the boundary in the west.

It also includes the mountain ranges of Tararua and Ruahine, and the North Islands active volcanoes Mount Ruapehu, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Tongariro.

Two national parks in Manawatu-Whanganui are the larger Tongariro National Park, and Whangaui National Park.

The region has two main rivers, the Manawtu River that enters the sea at Foxton, and the Whanganui River that enters the sea at Whanganui and is the longest navigable river in New Zealand. The Whanganui River Journey is one of the New Zealand Great Walks, albeit the only one of the Great Walks that is actually a river with its entire length achievable by kayak.

The largest town is Palmerston North with Whanganui being the second largest. Other towns in the region are listed below.

Districts

• Whanganui - (spelling as ‘Wanganui’ is incorrect)
• Ruapehu
• Rangitikei
• Manawatu
• Horowhenua
• Tararua
• Palmerston North

Places in Manawatu-Whanganui

Manawatu

• Ashhurst
• Dannevirke
• Eketahuna
• Feilding
• Foxton and Foxton Beach
• Himatangi Beach
• Hunterville
• Levin
• Mangaweka
• Pahiatua
• Palmerston North
• Palmerston North Airport
• Rangitikei

Ruapehu

• National Park Village
• Ohakune
• Raetihi
• Taihape
• Taumarunui
• Tongariro National Park
• Turoa Ski Field
• Waiouru
• Whakapapa

Whanganui

• Whanganui National Park
• Whanganui City
• Whanganui River
• Whanganui Airport

Manawatu-Whanganui Attractions and Activities

Palmerston North

• The Science Centre
• Manawatu Museum
• Manawatu Art Gallery
• Te Manawa
• New Zealand Rugby Museum
• Victoria Esplanade Gardens

Whanganui

• Whanganui National Park
• Whanganui River
• Whanganui Regional Museum
• Whanganui River Boat Museum
• Whanganui Paddle Steamer Cruises
• Moutoa Gardens
• Kayaking (Whanganui Journey)

Tongariro National Park

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing
• Tongariro National Park
• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Hiking and Walking
• Lord of the Rings locations, see list below

Nature and Wildlife

• Mount Bruce Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
• Ruahine Forest Park
• Tararua Forest Park
• Manawatu Gorge
• Manawatu River Estuary Wetland
• Owlcatraz

History

• Horse Drawn Train Trolley Bus Museum
• QE2 Army Memorial Museum
• Historic Logging Town Raetihi
• Tokomaru Steam Engine Musum
  

Lord of the Rings filming locations

• Mount Doom
• Mordor
• Plains of Gorgoroth
• Emyn Muil
• Ithilien
• River Anduin
• Trollshaw Forest
• Osgiliath Wood

All Lord of the Rings Filming Locations

Manawatu-Whanganui Area

Author