Getting to Wanganui and Manawatu

Ranges, gorges, rivers and sweeping plains define this diverse region - from the agricultural outskirts of Palmerston North, to the windswept Tararua Ranges and mighty Whanganui River.

BY ROAD:

WELLINGTON TO PALMERSTON NORTH: Travel north out of Wellington on the Wellington Urban Motorway. Continue on the Johnsonville Porirua Motorway for 12 kms, until the road changes into State Highway 1. Follow State Highway 1 for 79kms. Turn right onto State Highway 57 and follow for 43kms to Palmerston North.

Driving Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

AUCKLAND TO PALMERSTON NORTH: Follow the Southern Motorway south out of the city for approximately 50kms. Continue on State Highway 1 to Ngaruawahia. At Ngaruawahia turn onto State Highway 39 / Ngaruawahia Road, and continue south to Otorohanga (bypassing Hamilton). From Otorohanga follow State Highway 3 for 31kms to Eight Mile Junction. At Eight Mile Junction turn left onto State Highway 4 and follow for 236kms, passing through Taumarunui, to Wanganui. From Wanganui follow State Highway 3 for 74km to Palmerston North.

Driving Time: 7 hours 10 minutes

WELLINGTON TO WANGANUI: Travel north out of Wellington on the Wellington Urban Motorway. Continue on the Johnsonville Porirua Motorway for 12 kms, until the road changes into State Highway 1. Follow State Highway 1 for 123kms to Sanson. At Sanson turn left onto State Highway 3 and follow for 50kms into Wanganui.

Driving Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

AUCKLAND TO WANGANUI: Follow the Southern Motorway south out of the city for approximately 50kms. Continue on State Highway 1 to Ngaruawahia. At Ngaruawahia turn onto State Highway 39 / Ngaruawahia Road, and continue south to Otorohanga (bypassing Hamilton). From Otorohanga follow State Highway 3 for 31kms to Eight Mile Junction. At Eight Mile Junction turn left onto State Highway 4 and follow for 236kms, passing through Taumarunui, to Wanganui.

Driving Time: 6 hours

BY AIR:

Palmerston North International Airport is located at the northern end of Palmerston North city, on Airport Drive. Freedom Air operates international flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Nadi. Air New Zealand operates flights to all the major domestic airports. There is a $5 domestic departure charge for all passengers. International passengers need to pay a $25 departure fee.

BY RAIL:

The Overlander train service stops at Palmerston North, enroute to Wellington/Auckland. This service operates Monday to Sunday at peak times, and Friday, Saturday, Sunday offpeak.