Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 21

The absolute one place you have to visit when you are in Wanganui is actually about 10 drive out of the city on Rapanui Road but it is well worth the drive. You have to go out to the Bason Botanic Gardens. Not making the effort is not an option. You can turn right at the big green sign opposite the petrol station if you are heading into Wanganui from the north and continue on until you see the entrance, otherwise head north out of Wanganui and you will see the turnoff very soon after you enter the 100kph zone. http://www.basonbotanicgardens.org.nz/ The gardens are huge. There are indoor gardens with flowers and plants for everyone to admire, outdoor gardens with an amazing collection of plants and plenty of space for the kids to run round. Dogs ... 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

Writing about the lovingly restored Number 12 Tram that is located next to the i-Site in Wanganui should be easy. But it isn't. I have seen it running on Saturday mornings through the markets. I have the photos to prove it. But trying to find information to attach to this blog proved difficult. I had a page from a pamphlet from the i-Site which provided me with a website, but it doesn't exist any more. Google gave me a few options such as the fact the Tramways Museum is open on a Sunday afternoon. I gave up and searhed for their FB page which they actually have. This will give you the best idea of what to expect and when you can expect to see it! https://www.facebook.com/wanganuitramways/ If you happen to be in Wanganui at a ... read more

As you enter Wanganui from the north you will find the beautiful Virginia Lake on your left in the lovely suburb of St John's Hill. There is plenty of parking available and it is well worth stopping here for a break. The lake itself is full of the usual "no one ever feeds us" birdlife so arriving with a loaf of bread (or two) would be a good idea. The abundant birdlife means that no dogs are allowed here. The lake is a photographer's dream. Whether is it the lake itself or the statues or plants or the overly friendly feathered locals, you will find you don't want to put your camera down. Once you have seen all there is to see, and perhaps walked around the lake, stroll over to the Winter Gardens and the ... read more

Moutoa Gardens are right near the CBD, just across the road from the river. They are a must-see if you are interested in local history and land wars. The occupation of the Gardens in 1995 helped make them well-known due in part to controversial actions that were taken there such as the destruction of the statue of John Ballance. It was difficult for many to look beyond these actions to the reasons behind the occupation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moutoa_Gardens https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/moutoa-gardens-protest I have added links to websites that will provide you with all the details you need. We all know I don't believe in boring you to tears with information you aren't interested in. Hopefully my photos will give you an idea of what you can expect to see. If you are travelling through Whanganui and the kids n... read more