Wanganui
Wanganui is a provincial city known for its location on the banks of the
Whanganui River, its preservation of historic buildings and its beautiful
parks and gardens.
--credit: Virtual Wanganui NZ--
Victoria Avenue, the main street, reflects the people's interest in their
heritage with its cobblestones, buildings with late Victorian and Edwardian
facades, gaslights and wrought iron garden seats, In summer the shop
verandahs in the central city are decorated with about 1000 hanging baskets.
Places in the city worth a visit include the Durie Hill lift and tower for
a splendid view of the city and its environs, the Whanganui Museum, a rich
source of material on Maori and Pakeha history, and the Sarjeant Gallery
in Queens Park.
--credit: Virtual Wanganui NZ--
The Whanganui River is New Zealand's longest navigable river.
the early busy river traffic has ceased, but now in summer you can take a
trip on the "Waimarie", New Zealand's last surviving paddle steamer. After
taking thousands of tourists to stay at the hotel at Pipiriki in the early
years of the nineteenth century, the "Waimarie" made her last trip up the
river in 1949 and sank three years later. The boat was salvaged in 1993 and
after thousands of hours of work it returned to the river trips in 1999.
As One of the earliest locations of Maori occupation, the Whanganui River valley
is rich in Maori history and culture worth reading about before taking a
trip by boat or by road.
Attractions and Adventure Activities
About Wanganui
|
