The Klein Guide to Whanganui
Sightseeing
Whanganui is a special and completely underrated little city. We hope that after visiting some of our local attractions you will feel as in love with our town as we are.
Castlecliff beach is absolutely beautiful and worth visiting early in the morning or late afternoon to watch the sunset. On a clear day you can see Mt Taranaki from the beach. The beach is unique in that it is a black sand beach, so midday visits in the height of summer warrants closed shoes as the sand gets really hot.
Castlecliff Beach
12 Rangiora StCastlecliff beach is absolutely beautiful and worth visiting early in the morning or late afternoon to watch the sunset. On a clear day you can see Mt Taranaki from the beach. The beach is unique in that it is a black sand beach, so midday visits in the height of summer warrants closed shoes as the sand gets really hot.
The Durie Hill Elevator celebrated it's 100th year recently. It is an absolute must see. Take the steps up and then make your way back down with the elevator. The views from up there are incredible and completely worth it.
The cost is $2 per person per ride
22 locals recommend
Durie Hill Elevator & Elevator Tower
3 Anzac ParadeThe Durie Hill Elevator celebrated it's 100th year recently. It is an absolute must see. Take the steps up and then make your way back down with the elevator. The views from up there are incredible and completely worth it.
The cost is $2 per person per ride
The walk around this lake is easy and picturesque providing many opportunities for stunning photos. Take a picnic to enjoy under the trees in summer as it is so peaceful and beautiful.
The winter gardens are worth a visit year round.
31 locals recommend
Virginia Lake
110 Great N RdThe walk around this lake is easy and picturesque providing many opportunities for stunning photos. Take a picnic to enjoy under the trees in summer as it is so peaceful and beautiful.
The winter gardens are worth a visit year round.
This is a very popular little beach for day visits, swimming and walks. There is a great playground for the young heart with a flying fox suitable for adults and older kids.
15 locals recommend
Kai Iwi Beach
This is a very popular little beach for day visits, swimming and walks. There is a great playground for the young heart with a flying fox suitable for adults and older kids.
A visit to Whanganui would not be complete without spending some time near or on our beautiful river.
There are a number of operators that provide experiences of the river from jet boating to canoeing. The bridge to nowhere is a very popular choice and definitely worth a visit.
8 locals recommend
Whanganui River
A visit to Whanganui would not be complete without spending some time near or on our beautiful river.
There are a number of operators that provide experiences of the river from jet boating to canoeing. The bridge to nowhere is a very popular choice and definitely worth a visit.
This market runs every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. It features plenty of food options along with a high variety of crafts and other specialties.
18 locals recommend
Whanganui River Traders Market
7 Taupo QuayThis market runs every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. It features plenty of food options along with a high variety of crafts and other specialties.
Food scene
There are many wonderful and as yet unexplored restaurants and cafes in Whanganui, however these are our favourites so far.
This unique and extremely popular cafe is not too far from the house. You could easily take a bike ride to the cafe and back.
The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is fully licensed. Meals are delicious and would suit most people's preferences. Their coffee is what made us fall in love with Castlecliff. No visit would be complete without a trip to the cafe.
18 locals recommend
The Citadel Cafe
14 Rangiora StThis unique and extremely popular cafe is not too far from the house. You could easily take a bike ride to the cafe and back.
The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is fully licensed. Meals are delicious and would suit most people's preferences. Their coffee is what made us fall in love with Castlecliff. No visit would be complete without a trip to the cafe.
This is a great restaurant to visit that serves large portions and plenty of variety. It is recommended to book a table before going.
18 locals recommend
Caroline's Boatshed Bar and Eatery
181 Somme ParadeThis is a great restaurant to visit that serves large portions and plenty of variety. It is recommended to book a table before going.
This lovely quaint cafe is situated right next to the Whanganui River. After enjoying the variety of their menu, take a stroll beside the river and view the beautiful art sculptures along the way.
11 locals recommend
Mud Ducks Cafe Wanganui
31 Taupo QuayThis lovely quaint cafe is situated right next to the Whanganui River. After enjoying the variety of their menu, take a stroll beside the river and view the beautiful art sculptures along the way.
This restaurant has met our expectations each time. I would definitely recommend the pizza's and the loaded fries. If needed they also have a small function room that would work well for private parties. We have never needed to book but you may want to during peak times.
11 locals recommend
Stellar Restaurant & Bar
2 Victoria AveThis restaurant has met our expectations each time. I would definitely recommend the pizza's and the loaded fries. If needed they also have a small function room that would work well for private parties. We have never needed to book but you may want to during peak times.
Neighborhoods
Whanganui is within easy reach of a number of different towns and places so you will always feel like there is somewhere to go and something to do.
New Plymouth is about 2 1/2 hours away from Whanganui. Mt Taranaki is very popular for its numerous walks, although you must always be prepared for any weather before you head off.
11 locals recommend
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is about 2 1/2 hours away from Whanganui. Mt Taranaki is very popular for its numerous walks, although you must always be prepared for any weather before you head off.
Palmerston North is about an hour and 5 minutes drive away from The Klein house. It has everything you could want from shopping centres, restaurants and cafe's.
8 locals recommend
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is about an hour and 5 minutes drive away from The Klein house. It has everything you could want from shopping centres, restaurants and cafe's.
Travel
Getting in and out of Whanganui is extremely easy.
The Whanganui Airport is 6.1 km away from The Klein House. Air Chathams flies 3 times a day between Whanganui and Auckland (Mon - Fri). Weekend flights are less. If you are lucky you might get to meet Sherman, the airport cat.
Whanganui Airport
18 Airport RdThe Whanganui Airport is 6.1 km away from The Klein House. Air Chathams flies 3 times a day between Whanganui and Auckland (Mon - Fri). Weekend flights are less. If you are lucky you might get to meet Sherman, the airport cat.