Palmerston North City: River Trails, Parks and Culture

In Palmerston North City, river trails and green spaces meet historic landmarks and local culture. You can plan your stay around walks and bike rides, explore parks with a range of attractions, or take time to appreciate the city's architecture. Which of these aspects interests you most may also shape your choice of holiday rental.

River Trails and Landscapes

The Manawatū River Shared Pathway stretches for more than 10 kilometres from Paneiri Park to Riverside Drive. The pathway also includes a 3.8-kilometre loop over the He Ara Kotahi and Fitzherbert bridges. The shorter loop and the longer route offer different options for planning your day; both distances refer to the respective route named. He Ara Kotahi is a 9-kilometre trail through dairy farms, pā sites, forestry areas, a military camp and an eel sanctuary. A pedestrian and cycling bridge connects the two sides of the river.

Victoria Esplanade offers a different experience: the park covers 26 hectares and features bush tracks, cycleways and formal gardens. At He Ara Kotahi, sightings have included kārearea (New Zealand falcon), as well as pheasants, herons, pīwakawaka, tūī, kererū and green tree geckos. The Bledisloe Park Walkway passes through a preserved area of native bush and connects with Turitea Stream. This offers a choice of different landscapes, from river and open spaces to bush and stream.

Parks with a Range of Experiences

Victoria Esplanade is home to the Lions Mini Golf Course. All nine holes are fully wheelchair accessible; the course is open on weekends and during school holidays. The Esplanade Scenic Railway also runs in the park: this 2.2-kilometre miniature railway is operated by volunteers and has stations at the playground and near the Lido. It is open on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays. If you plan to visit these attractions, keep their respective opening days in mind.

Memorial Park has a poppy-themed playground, a free splash pad and a paddling pool. It is on Napier Road, near the eastern edge of Palmy. The site was formerly a quarry that provided gravel for the former Palmerston North to Napier railway line. The park thus combines today's recreational facilities with a place whose former use is part of the history of the railway.

For water-based activities, Ashhurst Domain on the Manawatū River offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Jet skiing and other motorised water sports are also possible there, but not near the swimming areas. A raised viewing platform in the Domain's wetland offers views of threatened waterbirds as well as white-faced herons, stilts, swans and ducks. Water sports and birdwatching are different reasons to include the Domain in your travel plans.

Historic Landmarks and Local Life

The Te Peeti Awe Awe Memorial, a publicly accessible Category 2 historic place, is at The Square and Church Street. The former Chief Post Office, a landmark and significant work by architect Joshua Charlesworth, is also at The Square. Built in 1905, the building reflects the city's importance in the region. The DIC Building is another architectural landmark and a rare example of the Chicagoesque style.

The Grand Hotel in central Palmerston North is of national historic significance. It was used to accommodate Queen Elizabeth II, the first reigning monarch to visit New Zealand. The building is closely associated with public remembrance of the 1953–1954 Royal Tour. An example of the Second Empire style, it is a notable work by New Zealand architect Joseph Clarkson Maddison and a highly regarded landmark in the city centre.

The Hokowhitu Village Farmers’ Market in Palmerston North offers an insight into regional produce and artisan-made specialties. It takes place on the first and third Sunday of each month from 9 am to 1 pm; street food and live music are also on offer. During your stay, you can combine a market day with walks, nature experiences or visits to historic buildings.

When choosing your holiday rental, you can consider which of these experiences you want to focus on during your trip: longer riverside trails, park attractions, water sports, nature watching or urban history.

Other places for orientation: Palmerston North; Tararua District, Rangitikei District, Horowhenua District, Wanganui District, Manawatu District, Ruapehu District.

For the broader travel overview: Manawatu-Wanganui.