How we ended up here was a happy accident. Last night our host said something that got us thinking perhaps we weren't staying there another night. On checking our diary we realised we had made a mistake and didn't have anywhere booked for the night of the 16th. Hurriedly we picked a spot on the map, checked if there was a nearby Airbnb free and booked it. So here we are in Whanganui today.
We left Turangi as we had arrived, in rain, and it continued until we had passed through the National Park and all its mountains. Today, all of them cloaked in mist, looking grey and miserable. The car park was empty as we drove by, obviously no one out tramping in this. Thank goodness.
As we left the rain the drive down on SH4 road was extremely pretty. Today the local sheep shearing team must have been about as we saw plenty of farms with their sheep all penned up and later in the day saw a farm with one side penned all woolly and on the other side penned shorn.
The valley drive followed the Mangawhera river and we saw plenty of the descriptive valley terms you learn in geography at school; U shaped, V shaped, Ox bow lake etc.
We arrived in Whanganui on a windy but warm afternoon and headed off for some of the local sights. Whilst strolling along the river we spotted two tall structures and decided to find out what these were. The local tourist office obliged and off we went. Firstly to Duries Hill tunnel and elevator. A pedestrian tunnel of 213 metres leads into the hillside to the public elevator that takes you to the top of Duries Hill. Built in 1919 and still used by locals. Once there you have views over the whole town.
We then went to the Museum, which is famed for its Taonga Maori collection and houses a spectacular Te Mata o Hoturoa war canoe in the central part of the building. There were fascinating artefacts from decorative whale bone clubs, hunting traps, magnificent cloaks made from feathers and historic photographs. This place needs further time to really appreciate it all.
The town had plenty of historic parks and buildings and we really enjoyed the feel of it.
We made for our overnight accommodation with Kristen who welcomed us with a good old cuppa tea and conversation flowed. Kristen has had a packed life already for someone so young, travelled extensively, a psychiatric nurse, army medic with the NZ army, surfer and boarder and currently waiting for her work documents for a job in Australia. She is also studying bee keeping and is passionate about this. What a great varied life already. Shame we are here for only one day to get to know Kristen and this lovely town.
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| Views along the drive |
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| Just one of the farms with the sheep penned ready for shearing |
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| Tunnel to the elevator dug in the rocks |
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| Outside of the elevator at the top |
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| Views across to Durie Hill from the town |
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| The Maori war canoe. The carvings were so intricate |
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| English influences everywhere in this town |
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| Our lovely host Kristen with one of her surf boards |
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