Home > Destinations > New Zealand > Manawatu Region

With two major rivers running through the Manawatu Region, the Manawatu River and the Rangitikei River, the landscape is one of flat plains lying between the hills of the Ruahine Range and the Tasman Sea.

Mangaweka

Once the road through the Mangaweka ranges was extremely windy, so parents just wanted to get the drive over with, but these days the drive is a lot more pleasant and the views wonderful. Take time to visit the small village of Mangaweka while passing through.

Hunterville

Hunterville is a small town that services the farming community in this region. It was here that the Huntaway dogs used in the area for rounding up sheep and cattle were first bred.

Marton

Marton is within 40 kilometres of two main cities, Wanganui and Palmerston North. This town services the local farming community and will always make you feel welcome.

Bulls

Most travellers know this small town, partly because of its unusual name but more likely because if you are travelling north or south along State Highway 1 you will pass through Bulls.

Feilding

Feilding is one of the larger towns in the region and is only a short distance from Palmerston North.

Ashhurst

Luttrell's Pioneer Museum on Pohangina Road, near Ashhurst, is an interestig museum, with a hands-on area that allows children to explore how things worked in the early pioneer days.

Palmerston North

Palmerston North is one of the largest farming towns in the Manawatu region. For families visiting there is plenty to do whether the weather is wet or fine. The larger wind turbines at the Te Apiti Windfarm sit on the hills behind Palmerston North and make an interesting landmark for the region.

Himatangi Beach

The closest beach to Palmerston North is Himatangi Beach and although it is a sandy beach it isn't a golden sandy beach like those you find on the Coromandel - this beach has black sand.