Rangitikei District: Trails, River and History

In Rangitikei District, river landscapes, forest trails and places with remarkable stories alternate. An outing might take you along a short circuit, to a museum or to a lake with a range of water sports. Longer walks and a drive through the landscape are also among the possibilities.

Finding your way between towns

The Rangitīkei Information Centres in Bulls, Marton and Taihape provide visitors and locals with local and regional information. Maps, souvenirs and public toilets are also available. Individual opening hours are not specified.

In Bulls, the annual Wear-a-Bull Arts Event adds a distinctive touch: the art and fashion show celebrates local artistic expression, creativity and craftsmanship. Those interested in the town’s history can find a story spanning from the earliest settlers to the present-day Bulls District at the Bulls Museum.

Experience the lake, river and forest

Dudding Lake near Marton is open for daytime visits. A two-kilometre trail circles the lake; swimming, boating, jet skiing and water skiing are also possible. As operating conditions and water safety on site are important, check the latest information before your visit. This makes the lake a different kind of destination from the district’s forest reserves and trails.

At Mangaweka Scenic Reserve, a short circuit for children leads to views over the terraces of the Rangitīkei River. Plants and biodiversity take centre stage at Paengaroa Scenic Reserve near Taihape: the area is home to many rare species and more plants with divaricating growth forms than any similarly sized area in New Zealand. Near Hunterville, Bruce Park has an easy trail through a remnant of podocarp and broadleaf forest. Long-tailed bats, large native trees and fungi are among its attractions.

For those wanting to compare different time commitments for a walk, specific walking times are available for several locations. The Marton Memorial Park Walkway is a circuit behind the park that takes about 20 minutes. McPherson's's Bush near Hunterville has three trails with walking times of 10 minutes, 30 minutes and one hour. Pryce's Rahui Reserve has three trails, each taking between 20 minutes and an hour; together, they take 1.5 to 2 hours. These details make it easier to compare how to plan your time, without equating the trails in terms of difficulty.

For a longer forest outing, Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary near Taihape has a three-hour trail leading to Seke's Hut, which has four sleeping places, through forest and stands of mountain cedar, also known as kaikawaka. Along the way, views open up over the plateau landscape and Ruapehu. Children can also earn a Kiwi Guardians medal at Bruce Park; the park is a Kiwi Guardian site.

History, art and distinctive buildings

Marton Historic Village brings together museum buildings from the early settlement period. Historic furniture, household appliances, war relics and other materials tell the story of local history. At Marton Memorial Park, garden design is combined with remembrance: trees commemorate members of the British royal family as well as significant local dates and historical events. Statues commemorate those who fell in the First and Second World Wars, the South African War and other conflicts.

Near Mangaweka, Mangaweka Bridge, built in 1904 as a road bridge over the Rangitīkei River, spans the river. It is considered New Zealand’s only remaining cantilever road bridge. Several Māori storage pits have been found in the wooded part of the north-facing cliff at Sutherland-Puriri Reserve. These places add architectural and archaeological interest to the museums.

Mangaweka Yellow Church Gallery is an art gallery on State Highway 1 in Rangitikei District. It also hosts the biennial FAKES & FORGERIES exhibitions; check the date of the next exhibition separately. At Hunterville Settlers Museum, which has a collection of local buildings—including a barn, a blacksmith’s workshop and Roper Cottage—it is also advisable to confirm current opening arrangements before visiting. In Taihape, the Gumboot Statue stands out: it is made from No. 8 gauge wire and corrugated iron.

Get active: road, bike and river

Gentle Annie is presented as a drive-and-cycle route from Taihape to Hawke's Bay. The route offers 360-degree views and many opportunities to stop and take in the landscape of the upper Rangitīkei District. As road and route conditions can change, check them before setting off. Rangatira Golf Club near Mangaweka has an 18-hole course across three levels, with views of the Rangitīkei River. An electric cableway is said to be the only one of its kind in New Zealand.

For river adventures, Awastone is a family-run business operated by the Eames family in the area around Mangaweka village. Another distinctive route is the Te Araroa – Whanganui – Bulls section: it includes a four-kilometre trail along a black-sand beach to the settlement of Koitiata. The activities and landscapes are quite different, so when planning, consider whether you would rather walk, experience a route by bike or car, or spend time by the water.

More experiences in the wider destination

The wider destination of Manawatu-Wanganui also offers distinctive experiences that differ from the places in Rangitikei District. The Whanganui Journey is a 145-kilometre canoe trip on the Whanganui River; shorter trips are also possible. In Whanganui National Park, the forest protects one of the North Island’s largest remaining lowland forest complexes. River trips are among the popular activities there, and Māori culture is an important part of the park experience. Pipiriki is an important access point to the Whanganui River.

Culture and activity also broaden the view of Manawatu-Wanganui: the New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North is dedicated to the history and heritage of New Zealand rugby and is regarded as 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. The Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka trails are sections of the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail.

Explore places and other destinations

At Hunterville, forest trails, the Settlers Museum and Bruce Park—with its nature and Kiwi Guardians connections—come together. Taihape features Hihitahi Forest Sanctuary, the Gumboot Statue and the Gentle Annie route. Explore more destinations: Horowhenua District, Wanganui District, Ruapehu District, Tararua District, Manawatu District, Palmerston North City.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Manawatu-Wanganui.