Palmerston North City: River Trails, Parks and City History

Palmerston North City offers a wide variety of discoveries: at Victoria Esplanade, bush trails, cycleways and formal gardens sit alongside extensive river trails and historic places. When planning your accommodation, it may help to decide what you want to focus on: should your stay be mainly about trails and nature experiences, or should it also include architecture and city history?

Green spaces and trails at your own pace

Victoria Esplanade covers 26 hectares. Bush trails and cycleways sit alongside formal gardens, bringing together different ways to spend time outdoors in one park. Another distinctive feature is the 2.2-kilometre Esplanade Scenic Railway. Run by volunteers, the miniature railway has stations at the playground and near the Lido. It runs on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays; check the timetable before your visit, as schedules may change.

The Manawatū River Shared Pathway lets you choose a route based on specific distances: the path stretches for more than 10 kilometres from Paneiri Park to Riverside Drive. A 3.8-kilometre loop crosses the He Ara Kotahi and Fitzherbert bridges. He Ara Kotahi itself is 9 kilometres long and passes through dairy farms, pā sites, forestry areas, a military camp and an eel sanctuary. A pedestrian and cycle bridge connects the two sides of the river there. If you want to compare routes by length, you can consider both the shorter loop and the longer trails.

Kārearea, or New Zealand falcons, as well as pheasants, herons, Pīwakawaka, Tūī, Kererū and green tree geckos have been sighted along He Ara Kotahi. These are possible sightings, not a guarantee that you will see them. Bledisloe Park Walkway offers a different nature experience: it passes through a remnant of native bush and connects with Turitea Stream.

Parks and water along the Manawatū

Memorial Park features a poppy-themed playground, a free splash pad and a paddling pool. The park is on Napier Road near the eastern edge of Palmy. The site was once a quarry; the gravel from it was used for the former Palmerston North to Napier railway line. As facilities and seasonal operations may change, check current conditions before your visit.

Ashhurst Domain on the Manawatū River offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. Jet skiing and other motorised water sports are also possible there, but not near the swimming areas. River conditions vary, so factor them into your plans. In the Domain's wetland, a raised viewing platform offers views of endangered waterbirds, as well as white-faced herons, stilts, swans and ducks; which animals you actually see may vary.

Architecture and remembrance in the city

The Te Peeti Awe Awe Memorial is at The Square and Church Street. This historic site is open to the public and is classified as a Historic Place Category 2. The former Chief Post Office, a landmark and an important work by architect Joshua Charlesworth, also stands at The Square. Built in 1905, the building reflects the city's importance in the region; access is private.

Another piece of local history is associated with the Grand Hotel in central Palmerston North. It has national historic significance, was used to accommodate Queen Elizabeth II, and is closely associated with public remembrance of the 1953–1954 Royal Tour. Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning monarch to visit New Zealand. The building is also architecturally notable: it is considered an outstanding example of the Second Empire style and an important work by New Zealand architect Joseph Clarkson Maddison. The Grand Hotel is a city-centre landmark and is highly regarded by the public, but is not open to the public.

The DIC Building is a local landmark and a rare example of the Chicagoesque architectural style. Together with the historic buildings mentioned above, it shows that the city's history is visible in more than one place and encompasses a range of architectural influences.

A market as a reason to visit in its own right

The Hokowhitu Village Farmers’ Market offers artisan specialties, local produce, street food and live music on the first and third Sunday of each month, from 9 am to 1 pm. It's worth checking dates and the current offering in advance, as market hours and vendors may change. This adds a specific opportunity to discover regional produce and food to the selection of trails and historic places.

Discover more destinations

Palmerston North, Ruapehu District, Tararua District, Horowhenua District, Wanganui District, Manawatu District, Rangitikei District

For the overarching travel overview: Manawatu-Wanganui.