Travel information for Palmerston North
Located
140km northeast of Wellington and 546km south of Auckland,
Palmerston North is the main city of the Manawatu region on New
Zealand's North Island. Known affectionately as 'Palmy' by the
locals, Palmerston North is a sprawling town with a lively
population of university students. Palmerston North (Palmy in
Kiwi-speak) is the beating heart of Manawatu, a region loved for
its forested mountain ranges and relaxed country lifestyle. Here
you can follow riverside cycle trails, whoop it up in mountain
bike parks, hike to see original native forest, explore west
coast beaches and visit the largest livestock saleyards in the
southern hemisphere. The city provides a perfect base for
exploring the wider region. With its thriving art and live
theatre scene, excellent craft brewery and a good choice of
restaurants, there's plenty to see and do when you're not
chasing adventure outdoors.
Te
Manawa Museum of Art, Science and Heritage
With an engaging programme of exhibitions and events, as well as
an extensive collection of taonga (treasures), Te Manawa offers
a unique opportunity to experience and participate in, the
stories of our past, present and future. Children can get
hands-on in one of the learning discovery spaces, meet the
mysterious cave weta, or view native fish in Te Awa – The River.
The Art Gallery hosts a wealth of creative works in its
ever-changing spaces all year-round. With its dynamic and
colourful venues, Te Manawa plays host to community events and,
in collaboration with Centrepoint Theatre, houses ‘The Darkroom’
– an exciting space for rising playwrights, musicians and
experimental productions.
New
Zealand Rugby Museum
Visit the iconic New Zealand Rugby Museum in Palmerston North.
The home to the first museum devoted to the oval ball - this is
a must see! You'll be rewarded with a trip back in time
exploring the rich history and folklore of the nation's mighty
game with an unmasking of its rugby heroes and legends. Get a
feel for the real New Zealand by learning how its rich rugby
heritage has shaped and been shaped by our country. It's not
every day you can see the nation's treasures in their reality,
from the first 'fern', the oldest All Blacks jersey and the
oldest rugby ball to All Black star Dan Carter's boots! And test
out your rugby skills - kick, tackle, leap, sprint or push - in
the 'Have a Go' area.
Outdoor adventures and parks in Palmerston North
Rivers, native forests, cycle trails and glow worm caves are
yours to explore in Palmerston North and Manawatu.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker looking for a new multi-day
challenge or a nature-loving family with energetic kids, you'll
find plenty of refreshing outdoor activities in Palmerston North
and the surrounding countryside.
Such as He Ara Kotahi pathway and cycle trail, Sledge Track
Manawatu, Arapuke Mountain Bike Park, etc.
Flights To Palmerston North
Air New Zealand operates daily non-stop flights to Palmerston
North from Auckland and Christchurch, with connections across
the New Zealand domestic network. With all New Zealand domestic
airfares you can choose seat, seat+bag, flexichange or
flexirefund fare types. Flexichange gives you the flexibility to
change your flight with no change fees while flexirefund is
fully refundable.
Essential information
1. Best time to visit Palmerston North
Palmerston North is quieter during the summer break from
mid-November to mid-January, when many students return home.
January and February have the highest temperatures and the least
days with rain. Autumn colours are beautiful here and gardens
are in full bloom during spring, when the region is jumping with
new life - lambs especially.
2. How much will it cost?
This will depend on your tastes and what you want to do. As a
rough guide, not including air travel and hotels, you should
allow about NZD $100 to $150 a day per person for food and
entertainment.
3. Health
You may be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated for
COVID-19 and/or a negative COVID-19 test when travelling to and
within New Zealand.
4. Visas
If you're planning a trip to Palmerston North from overseas you
might need a visa to holiday in New Zealand, depending on where
you're from and how long you're staying See the
visa-waiver list.