MANAWATŪ IS A PLACE OF NATURAL BEAUTY, WITH ANCIENT FORESTS, DEEP GORGES, AND PICTURESQUE FARMLAND – BUT IT’S ALSO A PLACE OF ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES, EPIC DINING EXPERIENCES, AND A RICH ARTS SCENE. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THINGS TO DO IN PALMERSTON NORTH: READ ON FOR INSPIRATION.

Manawatū was made for walking, which is one of the best ways to soak up its natural beauty. Manawatū River Pathway & He Ara Kotahi Pathway are easy flat walks that get you up close with the Manawatū River, and you can’t miss crossing the He Ara Kotahi bridge, designed to look like a fallen karaka tree from above. Walk a little of the famous Te Araroa trail with the Bledisloe Park to Old West Road walk, where you will pass through forest, farmland, and can take a side-walk to the Massey Arboretum. Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge Walk track takes you along the spectacular tops and to the bottom of our iconic Manawatū Gorge, one of the only places in the world a river runs the length of a mountain range rather than bisecting it. The Tawa Loop provides the shorter option for the gorge. The Pettifar and Gilchrist Loop Tracks take you down beautiful river terraces to the Pohangina River in the Totara Reserve Regional Park, and the Fern Walk takes you along the tops with stunning views. The Rangiwahia Scenic Reserve is a stand of ancient untouched forest, with prolific birdlife and signposted trees. Here, there is also the track up to the Rangiwahia Hut with epic views on top of the Ruahine Ranges. Finally, the Sledge Track is a great walk with swimming holes along the first easy leg, with the option of tackling seriously steep and rewarding country as you go on. See Walks in Manawatū for more details on these walks.