Whanganui isite Visitor Centre

24/10/2024

Whanganui's warm blue sky days have begun and they are a sign of what's to come! As spring leads towards summer we will be looking forward to welcoming more and more people to town. With lots of exciting events coming up and experiences on offer, pop in and see us for tips and tricks on what to get up to during your stay. We're here to help. Our fantastic team are on deck from 9:00am every day. You'll find us right by the Whanganui River at 31 Taupo Quay.

22/10/2024

Our city is ready for pens, pencils, and crayons gallore! Pop in to see us at 31 Taupo Quay and collect this beautiful colouring competition for Whanganui Heritage Festival.

Entires must be delivered to Whanganui War Memorial Centre by Friday 1st November. Winners will be announced on Monday the 4th November by Whanganui Heritage Month.

18/10/2024

Whanganui's Heritage Festival begins tomorrow! With lots of exciting experiences on offer, you'll be spoiled for choice of events to enjoy. Here's what you can purchase tickets from us for:
🎫 Speakeasy with Papaiti Gin and Paddle Steamer Waimarie
🎫 Whanganui Centre Art Tour
🎫 Historic Pub Tour
🎫 Whanganui Old City Tour

08/10/2024

We have an exciting and unique experience on offer in Whanganui on Saturday. Be sure to plan time to see jazz musician, Rick Baum, performing at the museum between 1:00pm - 2:00pm on this Saturday, 12th October. 🎹

🎶 Join us for a memorable afternoon of jazz! 🎶

🎵Accomplished jazz musician and songwriter, Rick Baum, will bring the esteemed Steinway Grand Piano to life once again with a solo performance at Whanganui Regional Museum.

🎹The concert promises to deliver a range of jazz compositions, including original works and select covers, offering something for both jazz enthusiasts and casual listeners alike!

⌚1pm-2pm
📅Saturday 12th October
📍Whanganui Regional Museum
🎫Admission is free, no need to book. Museum capacity is limited to 250.
💛Koha for the Museum is always appreciated. All welcome.

06/10/2024

We couldn't be more excited for Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery's reopening on Saturday 9th November! While we wait with anticipation and excitement, discover the interesting history behind how the gallery came to be.

02/10/2024

It's that time of year! 🌸 Cherry trees are in bloom, days are longer, and daily jet boating trips up our awa are back in action! 🚤 Give our friendly team a call on 06 349 0508 or visit us at 31 Taupo Quay to organise your trip up the unforgettable Whanganui River and to the Bridge To Nowhere.

04/09/2024

What a bouquet! 🥰 Every day we connect with and help people at the isite. Each and every encounter can leave a lasting impression and the importance of this is not lost on us. Sometimes it's a one-off interaction guiding out-of-town visitors on what to do in Whanganui. Other times we are supporting locals who pop in regularly. These flowers for our beautiful Keri were an acknowledgment of the time she takes and genuine care she has for a regular. 💐 Her tiaki and manaakitanga shines and we couldn't be more proud and grateful for its impact. 💚

27/08/2024

We have had lots of friendly faces pop in to check how our not-so-little Damara lamb is doing so we thought you might like an update! 🐑 He's very happy and well at home, and making new friends. 🥰

22/08/2024

We have been awarded a 2024 Travellers' Choice award from Trip Advisor! 💚💚💚 Based on Trip Advisor's reviews and ratings, our beautiful isite has been listed within the top 10% of things to do worldwide. We are so grateful to know our warm and welcoming team's manaakitanga and expert knowledge of what to do in Whanganui is appreciated. The icing on the cake is how much this award represents an award for all of Whanganui. We couldn't recommend incredible experiences if they didn't exist. And, incredible experiences don't exist without without brilliant and commited people. ⭐ Thank you for being such a superstar destination, Whanganui. We are so very proud to represent you.

21/08/2024

It's that time of the year already! Cemetery Circuit tickets are now on sale! 🏁 🏁 🏁 We are selling early bird tickets for $30 until 30th of November. Pop along to see us at 31 Taupo Quay and purchase yours. 🏍️ We are open 9:00am - 5:00pm every day.

12/07/2024

Perfectly timed over the school holidays, our little Damara lamb will be back at the isite next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. 🐑 Come on in and say hi! 👋

11/07/2024

Well done to Paddle Steamer Waimarie for receiving the Travellers' Choice award from Tripadvisor! 🥳 It's no surprise to see this wonderful Whanganui experience acknowledged for their amazing mahi. Looking forward to seeing them back at it in September.

Congratulations to Whanganui's beloved Paddle Steamer Waimarie for receiving Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award! 🎉 🎉🎉 Provided for their fantastic reviews, Paddle Steamer Waimarie sits amongst the top 10% international experiences on offer through Tripadvisor.

Read more about their award here: https://bit.ly/461UX8W

29/05/2024

These bikes have seen some things! 🚵 Our isite sits near the end of the Mountains to Sea trail and we're frequently spoiled with visiting riders and stories of their action-packed journeys. We have a 3D table map for riders to explore their travels and gain a new understanding of their trip. It is a treat to be a part of their journey and welcome them to Whanganui. If you ever do the trail be sure to pop in an say hello to our team!

18/04/2024

Looking for exciting ways to entertain the kids over the school holidays in Whanganui? Check out some of our ideas below!

👉 Visit Rotokawau Virginia Lake to feed the ducks, explore the Winter Garden, see beautiful birds in the aviary, and walk around the lake.
👉 Keen for a little action? Jet boating along the Whanganui River is an unforgettable experience for the little ones. You can book your tickets at the isite.
👉 Kowhai Park is a fantastic place to take the kids to ride their bikes by the awa and play at the playground designed for young imaginations.

There's a lot you can do in Whanganui! For more suggestions tailored to you and your whanau's interests, pop along to the isite and talk to our friendly and knowledgeable team. We're experts at personalising recommendations for amazing experiences and events in the local area. 📍 Find us by the awa at 31 Taupo Quay

08/03/2024

However you decide to enjoy our awa, we can help you plan and book the experience!

06/03/2024

Artists Open Studios Whanganui is just around the corner! Have you picked up your trail guide yet? Printed copies are available here at the isite for $5, or you can download one for free from their website. https://openstudios.co.nz/

01/03/2024

Visiting our incredible Whanganui River Markets are the perfect way to kick off your weekend. Come down to the awa, soak up the beautiful scenery and explore artisanal delights! Whanganui River Markets run from 8:30am to 1:00pm every Saturday.
While you're there, pop on over to visit us next door. Our team are experts at tailoring recommendations on what to see and do while you're in town!

26/02/2024

There is always something new to discover at Whanganui Regional Museum. Have you been recently? With an event this Friday and a recently launched exhibit, it might be time to plan a visit. 📆
🔍 The next "Outfit of the Month" fashion talk is this Friday at 12:15pm. Free to the public, every month the museum's Kaihāpai Taonga/Collections and Curatorial Lead, Trish Nugent-Lyne, tours visitors through the history behind a garment archived in the museum's extensive fashion and textile collection. This month, the focus will be on a blouse worn by Isobel Mary Agnes Duncan who was born in Whanganui in 1877.
🔍 Fortune, a delicious inedible yum cha banquet, opened this month and is available to explore until July. Knitted to perfection, artist Bev Moon tours us through her mother and grandmother's experience in New Zealand as settlers from China. The exhibition is a cultural and historical feast featuring dim sum dishes, wontons, dumplings, pork buns, spring rolls all carefully crafted in wool.

25/02/2024

This is what it's all about. It's a joy and a privilege to connect and support such wonderful people visiting and living in Whanganui!

20/02/2024

What a brilliant list of suggestions! If you are coming to town for NZ House and Garden Tours pop in to the isite for even more ideas. Our team are here to help with recommendations personalised to your interests and needs!

31/01/2024

Durie Hill tower. 😍 Not just a pretty view from the top!

This marvelous piece of architectural history was opened to the public in 1925 and made from local shellrock to commemorate locals who lost their lives in WWI. At 33.5 metres high at the top of the suburb Durie Hill, you're sure to see it from around town.

From the isite, you can walk to the tower by crossing the awa and either taking the Durie Hill Elevator or climbing stairs to the top of the hill. If you have a trip to Whanganui planned be sure to pop this on your to-visit list!

29/01/2024

If you have visited Whanganui in the last few years it's likely you have admired some of our incredible street art. You may not have seen everything though! A full list of our local street art is now available on the Coastal Arts Trail website. Plan your tour of unseen street art through the link below!
https://bit.ly/3HCh4HB

24/01/2024

The magnificence that is our Kai Iwi. Only 15 minutes drive from Whanganui CBD, this gem of a beach is a favourite for local surfers and families all year round. Have you been before?

20/01/2024

Our beautiful CBD is in full swing enjoying Whanganui Vintage Weekend. 🎺🎶 If you haven't had a chance to check it out, you have lots of time! It's running until Monday.