Blogs from Wanganui, Wanganui, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

It was a cold but fine winter's day. Where would you expect to find a Kiwi grandmother with her two young grandkids? At the beach of course! Ototoka Beach is about 30 minute's drive from Wanganui. It is located at the end of Ototoka Beach Road at Maxwell. I always drive north from Wanganui, turning left onto Rapanui Road (look for the Bason Botanical Gardens sign opposite the BP Station), and then I just keep driving, past the turn off to Kai Iwi Beach until I find the dirt road that leads to the beach. The first thing I noticed this time were the 2 long drops which weren't there last time. For those of you who don't have any idea of what a long drop is, let's just say it's a toilet. As long drops ... read more

There is a FB page that will tell you all about SteamRail Wanganui Incorporated which "was formed in 1989 with the main purpose of preserving the Wanganui Turntable and any future Railway memorabilia." https://www.facebook.com/SteamRail-Wanganui-Inc-1536363919989567 I have chosen to share photos of the turntable and things I think are worth looking at and photographing nearby. They are just up the road from Trafalgar Square, on Taupo Quay, so if you have someone who wants to check out the extremely limited shopping options there, you can escape and stroll around the old carriages instead.... read more

https://www.facebook.com/motorvesselwairua Let's face it, 2020 was a shocker of a year. I woke on New Year's Day 2021 just feeling very grateful that I had survived 2020. I thought I would start 2021 slowly so I had a look at FB. Five minutes later I was running out the door with my backpack on, my camera in my hand and my 4-legged assistant tucked under my arm. He is always happy to head off on an adventure and I had found a brilliant one for us to start the year with. The Motor Vessel Wairua was offering trips between the bridges on the Whanganui River at the amazing price of $10 per adult and $5 per child (children under 2 and dogs were free). This was the best start to 2021 that I could have asked ... read more

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

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