Things to do in Wanganui
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Durie Hill Elevator
Across City Bridge from the town centre is the Durie Hill Elevator, built with grand visions for Durie Hill’s residential future. A tunnel burrows 200m into the hillside, from where the elevator rattles 65m to the top. There are two viewpoints at the summit: one on top of the lift machinery room, the other up the 176 steps of the War Memorial Tower. Assess the condition of Whanganui’s roof-tiles, or scan the horizon for Mt Taranaki, Mt Ruapehu and even the South Island on a clear day.
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Riverboat Centre
The Riverboat Centre has historical displays, but the crowds come for the Waimarie, the last of the Whanganui River’s paddle steamers. In 1900 the Waimarie was shipped in a box from England then reassembled in Whanganui. After paddling the Whanganui for 50 years, she sank ingloriously at her mooring in 1952. Submerged for 41 years, she was finally raised, restored, then relaunched on the first day of the 21st century.
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Vega
Vega’s riverside building has been a merchant store and a brothel, but today it’s 100% class. A packed house testifies to the virtuoso menu, professional service and meticulously constructed wine list. There’s plenty of seafood for the poisson-impassioned, and vegetarian and children’s options too. Open ’til the wee smalls, it’s a moody spot for a late-night vino or two, too.
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Whanganui Regional Museum
The Whanganui Regional Museum is one of NZ’s better natural-history museums. Maori exhibits include the carved Te Mata o Houroa war canoe and some vicious-looking mere (greenstone clubs). The colonial and wildlife installations are first rate, and there’s plenty of button-pushing and drawer-opening to keep the kids engaged.
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Stellar
Stellar lives up to its name – a cavernous bar-cum-restaurant with a convivial family atmosphere, it’s the town’s pride and joy. Reclining contentedly on leather couches, locals and tourists alike sip premium lagers and feast on bar morsels, gourmet pizzas and surf ’n’ turf fare. Frequent bands, DJs and quiz nights to boot.
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Bike Shed
Bike Shed hires out mountain bikes from $35 per day, including helmet and lock. Ask them for updates on the Mountain to Sea Ohakune-to-Whanganui bike track, which has been ascribed ‘Quick Start’ status as part of the proposed New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
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Indigo
Along with Vega, Indigo dragged Whanganui dining into the new millennium. A decade later and the vibe is still up-to-the-minute snazzy; the lofty interior and outdoor terrace swim with NZ wines, and contemporary meat, pasta and fish dishes are assembled with progressive flair. The lamb pasties are huge.
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Red Flame
There are a few Thai joints along Victoria Ave, but Red Flame is the only one that's consistently busy. Try the Red Flame Special: lamb, beef or chicken sautéed with cashew nuts, chilli, onion, capsicum and mushrooms, washed down with a Singha beer.
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Sarjeant Gallery
‘Historical, Contemporary, Unique’ – the elegantly neoclassical Sarjeant Gallery covers all the bases with its extensive permanent art exhibition and frequent special exhibits (including glass from the annual Wanganui Festival of Glass).
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Chronicle Glass Studio
The pick of Whanganui’s many glass studios is the Chronicle Glass Studio where you can watch glass-blowers working, check out the gallery, take a weekend glass-blowing courseor a ‘Make a Paperweight’ lesson, or just hang out and warm up on a chilly afternoon.
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Red Eye Café
With inexplicable familiarity (maybe it’s the friendly staff), this bohemian urban cafe has colourful local art, tasty light snacks (bagels, salads) as well as more substantial meals (curries, organic chicken sandwiches). Good coffee, too.
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Rosie O’Grady’s
Siphoning into NZ’s insatiable (and, it has to be said, annoying) passion for Irish pubs, Rosie’s, in the Grand Hotel, is as good a spot as any to elbow down a few pints of Guinness on a misty river afternoon. Good pub meals too.
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The Red
Across Whanganui City Bridge, the early-evening sun pours into the Red's noisy front bar, illuminating locals watching the races. The owners have tried to up the sophistication stakes, but nobody's seemed to notice.
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Wanganui Community Arts Centre
By the river’s edge is the Wanganui Community Arts Centre, which exhibits mostly local artists and musters up a decidedly South Pacific vibe with glass, ceramics, jewellery, photography and painting.
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Waimarie Paddle-Steamer Tours
Two-hour tour weekdays; three hours with a one-hour stopover at weekends. Also six-hour trips further upriver on the motorised 1904 Wairua.
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The Orange
The Orange is a babbling espresso bar serving gourmet burgers, big breakfasts, muffins, cakes and sandwiches. The outdoor tables reportedly ‘go off' in summer.
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Embassy 3 Cinemas
Nightly new-release blockbusters selling out faster than you can say ‘bored Whanganui teenagers’.
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Vincent's Yellow House
Local art, funky tunes, outdoor tables and great omelettes. Actually, it's more of a taupe colour...
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Amadeus Riverbank Café
Grilled chicken sandwiches are the house special; outdoor riverside tables catch the morning rays.
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