Whanganui’s artistic heart
Perched on the lower reaches of the Whanganui River, just inland from the west coast of the North Island, Whanganui is one of Aotearoa’s most character-rich cities. With its mix of Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco buildings, contemporary art scene, and riverside setting, it is ideal for a cultural wander or weekend away.
Grand facades and Deco gems
Whanganui’s cityscape tells a story through its architecture. The central area is a treasure trove of historic buildings. A self-guided walk through the blocks around Victoria Avenue, Taupō Quay, Hill Street, Moutoa Gardens, and Pukenamu Queens Park reveals one of the country’s best concentrations of 1800s to early 1900s architecture. Highlights include the Whanganui Opera House on Ridgeway Street, which has hosted performances since 1899. Around the fountain at the Ridgeway / Victoria intersection is a hot spot, where you’ll find some of the city’s most photogenic façades.
Several significant Art Deco buildings were added in the 20th century, including the striking Art Deco movie theatre on Victoria Avenue. Whanganui’s collection of Art Deco buildings is second only to those of Napier.
The centrepiece of the city’s buildings is the recently reopened Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua in Queen’s Park — a neoclassical building originally opened in 1919 and recently restored over ten years. The gallery holds one of the most significant collections of New Zealand historical and contemporary art, now returned to its full setting overlooking the city.
A city alive with art
Whanganui’s creative pulse is tangible as you explore. As well as the Sarjeant Gallery, the city is home to the New Zealand Glassworks on Rutland Street. This is a public-access hot glass studio where you can watch artists blowing and shaping glass on site. A short walk away, the Quartz Museum of Studio Ceramics holds the private collection of artist Rick Rudd, along with other major ceramic artists. Several smaller galleries and independent studios are scattered throughout the central city, many open to the public.
Outdoor installations and large-scale murals add a contemporary layer to the streetscape. While many of these are mapped on local guides, you’ll come across them naturally as you stroll the city, from hidden alleyways to prominent walls on main streets.
The Parks of Whanganui
Whanganui is home to several beautiful parks. Rotokawau / Virginia Lake is a standout, featuring picturesque walking tracks, a lovely lake, winter gardens, and a bird aviary. Kowhai Park is another local favourite, especially for families, with its beautiful big exotic trees, playgrounds and riverside picnic spots. Queens Park, located near the town centre, is not only a green space but also a cultural hub, home to the Whanganui Regional Museum and Sarjeant Gallery. Cooks Gardens is where NZ athlete, Peter Snell, ran a world record for the mile in the 1960s.
Exploring further afield
Just beyond the city centre, Whanganui Collegiate School on Liverpool Street is worth a detour. Founded in 1854, it remains one of New Zealand’s most prestigious secondary schools and features grand collegiate architecture and park-like grounds.
Another rewarding outing is the walk across Victoria Bridge and up to Durie Hill. Take the historic elevator, built in 1919, then climb the steps of the Durie Hill Tower for a panoramic view of the city, the river, and, on clear days, the distant peaks of Mount Taranaki and Mount Ruapehu.
How to get there
Whanganui is a comfortable drive from major centres. From Wellington, follow State Highway 1 north to Bulls, then State Highway 3 to Whanganui. From Auckland, head south on State Highway 1 to Hamilton, then turn southwest on SH3 past Te Kūiti, before following State Highway 4 down through the central plateau and into Whanganui.
Nearby places to visit include Castlecliff Beach, Gordon Park, Kai Iwi Beach and Bushy Park.
