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park & gardens
If you love parklands and flower gardens and are looking for a little green inspiration go to the River City - it’s blooming marvellous.
Try to visit Wanganui during summer, when the heritage precinct streets are bedecked with flower baskets and adorned with floral art exhibitions. During the Wanganui Arts Festival the city’s enthusiastic Floral Group recreate children’s storybook characters in all their petal-power splendour.
Every two years in October the Blooming Artz Festival features art in the city gardens, streetscape sculptures and seminars on gardening and art.
Queen’s Park is one of the city’s aesthetically entrancing jewels. On a grassy knob where the forbidding Rutland Stockade once stood menacingly, is the beautiful Oamaru stone Sarjeant Gallery, surrounded by vibrantly green open spaces. Further west the Cook’s Gardens feature the famous athletics track where Peter Snell set a new world mile record in 1962 (3 minutes 54.4 seconds).
Along the river esplanade on Somme Parade lie the historic Moutoa Gardens. Maori lived here traditionally during the fishing season and this was the site of the signing of the Document of Sale for the Wanganui lands. The gardens are now managed jointly by the Government, City Council and local Maori. Kowhai Park on Anzac Parade is a children’s favourite with a brontosaurus ride, octopus swing, snake seesaw and fairytale characters.
To appreciate the beauty of the river landscape, board the beautifully restored 1899 Waimarie coal-fired, steam driven paddle steamer at Taupo Quay. This lovely old girl huffs and puffs its way upriver bringing history to life to the sound of hissing steam and sloshing paddles. For a startling cityscape, the Durie Hill Elevator is a 'must see' landmark offering a rare ride and a mind-boggling view.
Outside the city, Virginia Lake and Park is always aglow with flowering annuals, nighttime tree illuminations and a coin-operated fountain. This peaceful oasis 3km north on SH.3, has a 25 minute woodland walk around the lake and delightful displays in the Winter Garden.
Bushy Park Forest Reserve has 90ha of nature forest with a giant rata tree, lush native flora and fauna and native birds. Bason Botanic Gardens offer a tranquil oasis in a rural setting just a few minutes drive out of town.
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