Whanganui Attractions

Whanganui is fortunate to have the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua in the heart of the city. The Sarjeant Gallery at Pukenamu Queen's Park is a category one heritage listed building and is an iconic and widely-recognised piece of New Zealand's built history. The Sarjeant holds a permanent collection of more than 8300 art works of national significance, covering four centuries of European art history and all of New Zealand's art history.

Home to Peter Snell’s world record-breaking mile in 1962, Cooks Gardens is renowned for its sporting and athletics events. This venue has a unique elevated trackside event centre.

The 290-km Whanganui River is the second longest in the North Island, after the Waikato. Rising on the north-west flank of Mt Tongariro, it reaches the Tasman Sea at Whanganui.

For lovers of music looking for a place to go in Whanganui, go no further than The Whanganui Musicians Club. Aptly named, this place was formed (as all good ideas are) in a bar by a group of musicians who sat mulling over their beers whilst watching other bands play. The club holds a club night on the first Friday of each month from 7:00pm – 11:00pm, which aims to nurture young musicians or those fresh to the scene, and provide a no judgement stage for anyone who loves a jam (although if you’re keen to play, get down early as stage space fills up fast). Encouraging of all forms and styles, from punk rock to instrumental, all are welcome here.

The Durie Hill Elevator is a public elevator in Whanganui, on the North Island of New Zealand. It connects Anzac Parade beside the Whanganui River with the suburb of Durie Hill. It is ranked by Heritage New Zealand as a Category 1 Historic Place, and is New Zealand's only public underground elevator.

Salvaged from the bottom of the Whanganui River where she sat for around 50 years, the Paddle Steamer Waimarie was restored to her former glory and re-launched in 2000 to make her New Zealand’s only authentic coal-fired paddle steamer in operation. 

A cruise aboard the iconic Paddle Steamer Waimarie is undoubtedly one of the most authentic ways to experience Whanganui River’s scenery and history.