Kai Iwi is a wild ocean frontier, strewn with black sand, a ruined WWII gun emplacement and masses of driftwood (you might see locals collecting it for their next 'piece'). There's also a fun playground and paddle-friendly spots for little kids. Follow Great North Rd 4km north of town, turn left onto Rapanui Rd and head seawards for 10km.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Bason Botanic Gardens

2.71 MILES

Set 11km from Whanganui centre (pair it with a trip to Kai Iwi Beach), these gardens spread over 25 hectares and feature orchids, tropical plants,…

2. Castlecliff Beach

5.5 MILES

Follow the Whanganui River's western riverbank seawards for 8km and you'll arrive in Castlecliff, a wonderfully low-key beach 'burb dominated by a huge…

3. Virginia Lake

7.28 MILES

A couple of kilometres northwest of the centre, Virginia Lake is the perfect place for a stroll (around the lake or the woodland walk). Aside from the…

4. Ward Observatory

8.59 MILES

Established in 1903, astro-geeks will be delighted to know that this 24cm telescope is the largest unmodified refractor operating in NZ. Roll up on Friday…

5. Whanganui Regional Museum

8.7 MILES

Spend an hour or two in one of NZ’s better natural history museums. Te Atihaunui-a-Pāpārange Māori exhibits include an amazing waka (canoe), …

6. New Zealand Glassworks

8.92 MILES

The pick of Whanganui's many glass studios. Watch glass-blowers working, check out the gallery, take a one-day glass-blowing course ($290, four people max…

7. Sarjeant on the Quay

8.94 MILES

The elegant old neoclassical Sarjeant Gallery building in Queens Park is closed for earthquake-proofing. In the interim, the gallery's estimable art…

8. Whanganui Riverboat Centre

8.99 MILES

The historical displays here are interesting, but everyone's here for the PS Waimarie, the last of the Whanganui River paddle steamers. In 1900 it was…