The Manawatu-Whanganui region is named after its two main rivers.  To the northwest is the Whanganui River which New Zealand’s longest navigable river. In the southeast is the Manawatu River runs through the largest city in this region, Palmerston North.  The landscape includes the impressive Manawatu Gorge, mountain ranges,  vast farmland, coastal plains and beaches on both east and west coasts.

TAWHAI FALLS

Tawhai Falls is more famously known as Gollum’s Pool and can be a few minutes drive below the Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre. For Lord of the Rings fans this is a ‘must do’ place to visit as one of many filming locations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Getting to the falls is an easy short walk from the sign posted car park. Walking to the river to view the falls includes steps through mountain toatoa and beech forest and the falls themselves rush over the edge of an ancient lava flow. Like any waterfall it is best viewed after rain however, keep in mind it is in the central plateau which can be covered in snow in the winter. Definitely a place to explore if you are visiting the mountains any time of year.

TAUMARANUI

This wooden moa can be found in the small King Country town of Taumaranui. The moa, created by Jack Marsden Mayer, is iconic to the town and consists of native hardwood driftwood. Some of the wood is thought to be as old as the Taupō eruption. The name Taumarunui is reported to be the dying words of the Māori chief Pehi Turoa – taumaru meaning screen and nui big. Literally translated as Big Screen but more commonly known to mean – “The place of big shelter”. Taumarunui is also known by some as the large sheltered location for growing kumara, New Zealand’s sweet potato. Taumaranui is best known for its railway history, farming, weaving, golf and more recently, cycle trails. It is also a great place to stop for a break and a snack as it is the only town around for miles.

KING COUNTRY

This is a pretty typical scene in the King Country during spring. Such a great example of the ‘green’ New Zealand one might expect to see. This part of the country spans both the Waikato and Whanganui-Manawatu regions with farming and forestry covering a large amount of the land. The term ‘King Country’ comes from the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s when colonial forces invaded the Waikato and the Māori King Movement withdrew south. Māori knew this land at that time as Rohe Potae (the brim of a hat) which comes from the Māori King Tawhiao throwing his hat on a map to claim that area. There is some very rich pre and post European history here. It is a beautiful part of the country to pass through with many interesting places to experience along the way. But don’t get to attached to those baby sheep. Those lambs get exported to dinner plates all around the world.

ROUTE 52

Have you ever driven Route 52?  It runs from Waipukurau in the Central Hawkes Bay, through Whanganui-Manawatu, to Masterton in the Wairarapa.  It’s a former state highway that passes through some interesting little farm settlements. The highway goes to the coastline at Porangahau and then continues on through Weber, Waione, Pongaroa, and Tiraumea before heading west to Alfredton and lastly Masterton. The route is not just for cars but it is also a cycle trail. Graded intermediate this 200km adventure is recommended to do over two days. Whatever your wheels this is a great alternative route to take if you are travelling between the Wairarapa and the Hawkes Bay

OHAKUNE

Carrot Capital of New Zealand and where adventure begins! Originally inhabitited by Ngāti Rangi (Sky People), Ohakune and the southern gateway to the Tongariro National Park. When the ski fields are covered in snow the skiers and snow boarders flock to this small town. It makes a great base any time of the year for those heading to the mountains or off on canoeing adventures down the Whanganui River. Mountain biking is also becoming a popular activity in this area. Ohakune also boasts world-class wilderness fishing, with secluded remote native bush locations and crystal clear waters. An anglers dream! So why the carrot? It was discovered this region provided a great environment for growing root crops and became one of the biggest producing carrot regions in New Zealand. In the early 1980s the ANZ Bank constructed a giant carrot for a television ad and later donated the carrot to Ohakune in recognition of the areas high carrot production. This is a town you will want to spend some time in if you are keen on some adventures.