![Whanganui township aerial view]()
Check out the West Coast with a Whanganui car rental
Built around the mighty Whanganui River, this small yet vibrant city is located on the West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Approximately 2 hours’ drive from New Plymouth and 2 and a half hours’ drive from Wellington, picking up a Whanganui Airport car rental is ideal if you want to explore this part of the country.
Car rental Whanganui: All you need to know
Whanganui was previously known as Wanganui, until an official change was made to the name of the district in 2015. Because of this, you may sometimes see the name of the city as Wanganui on some signs and websites.
Whanganui Airport
Whanganui Airport is located south of the river, right by the coast. There are two roads leading to and from the Airport, Airport Road and Landguard Road. At the airport, you’ll find a Hertz car rental desk, with the counter located in the terminal. It is about a 10-minute drive to Victoria Avenue, Whanganui’s main street for shopping and eating. This city is also within reach of an affordable car for rent at Wellington Ferry Terminal.
![Whanganui River kayaks]()
A guide to driving in and around Whanganui
Whanganui has a relatively small population, so don’t expect a lot of traffic. However, State Highways 3 and 4 do pass through the city, so be aware that there may be travellers using this road in tourist season. In addition to this, we’ve put together a few tips for driving your car hire Whanganui:
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If you’re an international visitor picking up a rental car in Whanganui, remember to keep left.
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New Zealand roads can be steep and windy, so if you’re heading out of Whanganui in your hire car, make sure to drive safely and take your time, especially in the winter months
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There is plenty of parking in Whanganui, including paid kerbside parking, free time-restricted parking and off-street parking with pay-and-display machines.
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Speed limits in New Zealand are posted in kilometres per hour (kph), and distances in kilometres. Generally, the speed limit is 50kph in urban and built-up areas and 100kpm on open roads. There are exceptions to this, so make sure to keep an eye out for any road signs.
![Get refreshed when you included a stop in the Whanganui beach on your car rental holiday.]()
Rental cars Whanganui: What to see and do
Hiring a car in Whanganui means you can not only explore the unique attractions of the city itself like the New Zealand Opera School and Sarjeant Gallery in Queens Park, but you can also get out and see mountains, beaches and of course other parts of the Whanganui River. We’ve put together a few ideas for you to get started.
The Durrie Hill Elevator
What exactly is a ‘hill elevator’? Well, you can find out at New Zealand’s only public transport elevator, which travels 66 metres from Anzac Parade to the top of Durie Hill. Once at the top, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Whanganui River and the city beyond. The Durrie Hill Elevator is $2 each way for adults and $1 for children.
Whanganui River Road
Take your rental car on a 64-kilometre drive on Whanganui River Road and experience the small communities and stunning views of the river it has to offer.
Whanganui National Park
The scenic drive on Whanganui River Road leads to the Whanganui National Park. Full of lush forest and native birds, including the brown kiwi and whio (blue duck), the park covers an area of 742 km² bordering the Whanganui River. There are a number of tracks that visitors can take through the park, including the 3-5 day Matemateaonga Track through the wild lowland forests.
Whanganui Regional Museum
Famed for its Taonga Māori Collection, the Whanganui Regional Museum offers visitors a look into Whanganui’s rich history. The collection encompasses transport and technology, textiles and clothing, art, Pasifika cultures and much more. While the museum has free admission, there are also guided tours, which last for one hour and cost $10 per person.
