Blogs from Wanganui, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

The Cycle Bridge: As someone who hasn't ridden a bicycle for several decades, it feels strange to blog about a cycle bridge. But this is far more than just a bridge for cyclists to use. url=https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/Your-Council/Projects-and-Initiatives/Works-Projects/Upokongaro-Cycle-Bridgehttps://www.whanganui.govt.nz/Your-Council/Projects-and-Initiatives/Works-Projects/Upokongaro-Cycle-Bridge The bridge is part of the Mountains to the Sea cycleway. It has already proven very popular with locals but there are also plenty of keen out-of-town cyclists, many of whom stay just up the road at the Holiday Park. https://www.mountainstosea.nz/shop/product/485045/whanganui-top-10-holiday-park/ I love the bridge. It is just a short drive from my home and I like to park by the r... read more

https://www.visitwhanganui.nz/lake-westmere-whanganui/ A few minutes drive north of Wanganui is a turn-off (opposite the service station) which takes you to the Botanic Reserve. But just past the turnoff there is an area on the right where you can park which provides you with access to Westmere Lake. I have to admit that I had never bothered to visit the lake until this week when I had 2 energetic young grandkids to entertain thanks to our long long long summer holidays. Fortunately I hadn't taken my 4-legged assistant with us as dogs are not allowed there plus there are bait traps everywhere. It is quite hard to see the lake as you are either trying to look over flax bushes or are on the track which leads you all over the place and into areas where you wouldn't ... read more

The Wanganui District Council states that William Birch Park "is a magical spot with a stream running through a reserve. A great place for a picnic. This was once a popular swimming location but is no longer used for swimming due to water quality issues." Apart from the water issue, I disagree entirely. There is nothing magical about it. Even the chickens that used to rush out to meet us have left. There are a couple of geocaches there but your GPS probably won't work so read the clues before you go. There are also a couple of Munzees there but, again, you'll probably have no GPS and 1 of them has almost disintegrated entirely so don't bother to stop for them unless you really really need the points from the one under the sign. There ... read more

Wanganui has a deer park that seems to have been there forever. It was a popular place to visit in the school holidays when I was a child and that was a long time ago. If you come into Wanganui from the north, you will see Virginia Road on your left. Follow it to the bottom of the hill where you will see Peat Park and a sign showing where the Deer Park is. I have small grandchildren so have visited the deer on several occasions. The best advice I can give you is: do NOT expect to see any deer! There is a stag with his entourage of females but they can be extremely difficult to see. They are often hiding in the grass at the bottom of the hill so try to spot the ... read more

At the beginning of October I took my grandkids out to Bason Reserve. One of the highlights at this time of year is the abundance of beautiful orchids there. I will let the photos tell their own story. They were all taken while I was being dragged past them at high speed by a 4 year old and a 6 year old and you will notice how much humidity was there in a few of them. If you love orchids then make sure you head out to the Reserve September/October and enjoy the displays.... read more