Rangitikei District: Forest Walks, River Views and History

Forest walks, river views and the many traces of history shape Rangitikei District. On an outing, you can choose between short circuit walks, longer walks, water activities and museums. When looking for a holiday rental, consider which of these experiences matter for your trip and which of the places mentioned would make a suitable base. Taihape and Hunterville each have their own highlights.

Forest and walks: from a short circuit to a longer outing

Walking times offer a concrete comparison: the Marton Memorial Park Walkway is a circuit behind Marton Memorial Park that takes about 20 minutes. McPherson's Bush in Hunterville has three tracks, with walking times of 10 minutes, 30 minutes and one hour. Pryce's Rahui Reserve near Hunterville also has three tracks: the individual walking times range from 20 minutes to one hour, and completing them all takes 1.5 to 2 hours. This lets you compare a shorter circuit with a longer outing without inferring different levels of difficulty from the time estimates.

At Mangaweka Scenic Reserve, a short circuit for children leads to views over the terraces of the Rangitīkei River. Bruce Park near Hunterville offers an easy track through a remnant of podocarp and broadleaf forest. The park is also a Kiwi Guardians site, where children can earn a Kiwi Guardians medal. Long-tailed bats, large native trees and fungi are among its other listed attractions.

Near Taihape, a three-hour track in Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary passes through forest and stands of mountain cedar, also called kaikawaka, to Seke's Hut, which has four bunks. Along the way, there are views of the plateau landscape and Ruapehu. Paengaroa Scenic Reserve near Taihape is home to many rare species and more plants with a divaricating growth form than any similarly sized area in New Zealand. If you are looking for a different way to get active instead of a forest walk, Tutaenui Reserve near Marton has a permanent orienteering course with easy, intermediate and difficult routes.

Water, river views and a route between regions

Dudding Lake near Marton is open to visitors during the day, and a 2-kilometre track runs around the lake. Swimming, boating, jet skiing and water skiing are also possible there. Check current operating conditions and water safety before visiting. Rangatira Golf Club near Mangaweka has an 18-hole course set across three levels, with views of the Rangitīkei River. One of its special features is an electric cable car, described as the only one of its kind in New Zealand.

Gentle Annie is presented as a drive-and-cycle route from Taihape to Hawke's Bay. It offers 360-degree views and plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the landscape of the upper Rangitikei District. Road and route conditions can change; check them before setting out. Another section of track follows Te Araroa – Whanganui – Bulls for four kilometres along a black sand beach to the settlement of Koitiata. In the village of Mangaweka, Awastone is a river adventure business run by the Eames family.

Local history and art in Bulls, Marton and Mangaweka

Mangaweka Bridge was built in 1904 as a road bridge over the Rangitīkei River and is described as New Zealand's only remaining cantilever road bridge. In Bulls, the Bulls Museum tells the story of settlers in the Bulls District, from the earliest settlers to the present day. Marton Historic Village brings together museum buildings from the early settler period, with historic furnishings, household appliances, war relics and other materials relating to local history. Hunterville Settlers Museum includes local buildings such as a barn, a blacksmith's workshop and Roper Cottage.

Marton Memorial Park combines landscaped garden paths with remembrance: memorial trees honour members of the British royal family as well as significant local dates and historical events. Memorial statues commemorate those killed in the First and Second World Wars, the South African War and other conflicts. Several Māori food-storage pits have been found in the bush-covered section of the north-facing cliff at Sutherland-Puriri Reserve.

In Bulls, the annual Wear-a-Bull Arts Event celebrates local artistic expression, creativity and craftsmanship in an art and fashion show; check the dates of the next event separately. Mangaweka Yellow Church Gallery is on State Highway 1 and hosts the biennial FAKES & FORGERIES exhibition. Check the date of the next exhibition, as well as the gallery's and Hunterville Settlers Museum's opening arrangements, before visiting.

The Rangitīkei Information Centres in Bulls, Marton and Taihape provide local and regional information for visitors and residents. They offer bookings for trains, buses and ferries, as well as accommodation, attractions and activities; you can also get souvenirs and maps, and public toilets are available.

Manawatu-Wanganui as the wider setting

In the wider destination of Manawatu-Wanganui, the Whanganui Journey offers a different kind of river experience: it is a 145-kilometre canoe trip on the Whanganui River, with shorter trips also available. Whanganui National Park protects one of the largest remaining lowland forest complexes on the North Island. River trips on the Whanganui River are popular activities there, and Māori culture is an important part of the park experience. Pipiriki is an important access point to the river; the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka tracks are sections of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.

Also in the wider destination of Manawatu-Wanganui, Palmerston North is home to the New Zealand Rugby Museum. It is dedicated to the history and heritage of New Zealand rugby and is considered the world's first museum devoted to the oval ball. In the Have a Go area, visitors can try rugby skills such as kicking, tackling, jumping, sprinting and pushing; programme details may change.

Discover more destinations: Palmerston North City, Tararua District, Wanganui District, Manawatu District, Ruapehu District, Horowhenua District.

Back to the wider travel overview: Manawatu-Wanganui.