Shannon Activities You Can’t Miss
A prime example of a charming New Zealand town, Shannon hits on State Highway 57 between Palmerston North and Levin on the North Island. In between exploring the town with its array of boutique stores, cafes and antique shops, there are plenty of fun things to do in Shannon!
With the Tararua Forest Park just a stone’s throw away, Shannon is a great base for doing some tramping through the forest. Additionally, the local bird and wildlife park is a true hidden gem, as is the local golf course! However, if you want to explore the greater area, be sure to have a look at our list of 10 Fun Things to Do in Levin and 5 Fun Things to Do in Foxton.
1. Visit the Historic Shannon Railway Station
Set among the scenic gardens in Te Marie Park, the Shannon Railway Station is the last remaining station of the Wellington & Manawatu Railway Company. The station, built in 1886, has a little museum and visitor centre, which is open 10am-3pm daily. The station is still used as a stop on for the Palmerston North – Wellington commuter train.
Location: State Highway 57, Shannon Town Centre.
2. Walk the Mangahao Makahika Track
Part of the Te Araroa Trail (a trail that goes through the entire length of New Zealand), the Mangahao Makahika Track is a 6-7 hours one-way trail between Shannon and Levin. Follow the trail alongside the hillsides of the Tararua Forest Park.
Location: The easiest side to start on is from the Shannon side on Mangahao Road, past the Arapeti Dam.
3. Hike the Burtton’s Track
This 17km (10.5 miles) hiking and mountain biking trail extends through the Tararua Forest Park between Palmerston North and Shannon. The trail takes 6-7 hours to complete one way, taking you deep into native forest and following the Tokomaru River. There are a couple of streams to cross.
Location: Starting from Shannon, the track is at the junction of Mangahao & Tokomaru Valley Roads.
4. Play a Round of Golf
Have a great day out in the outdoors at the Buckley Golf Club! With views of the Tararua Ranges, this 16-hole course has fun challenges for both beginners and seasoned golfers. Enjoy this undulating course with meandering bends and even a crocodile?! For more golf courses worth playing at, see 21 Best Golf Courses in New Zealand.
Location: Engles Road.
[CLOSED] See Native Birds at Owlcatraz
Visit this native bird and wildlife park set among native bush and farmland on a self-guided or guided walk. The highlight is the owl enclosure with no glass and cages so there are no barriers between you and the birds. The enclosure even mimics the weather patterns experienced in the birds’ natural environment. Owlcatraz is open daily 10am-3pm.
Location: 44 Margaret Street.
More Things to Do Near Shannon
- 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North
- 10 Best Hotels in Palmerston North
- 10 Must-Dos on the Kapiti Coast
That’s it for the best things to do in Shannon. For more activities on your travels, check out the 51 Best Things to Do in the North Island.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Manawatū & Palmerston North (Regional tourism website)
- Palmerston North City Council (Local council website)
- Manawatu District Council (Local council website)
- Horizons Regional Council (Local council website)
- Horowhenua District Council (Local council website)
- Visit Rangitīkei (Regional tourism website)
- Rangitīkei District Council (Local council website)
- Tararua.com (Regional tourism website)
- Tararua District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
About The Author
Laura S.
This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.