Apiti Activities You Can’t Miss
Want to experience a true rural town in New Zealand? It doesn’t get more Kiwi than Apiti! This farming community has a charming town centre with plenty of great places to eat. On top of that, the landscape surrounding Apiti is packed with walking and hiking trails and even something more adventurous, such as horse trekking and 4×4 off-roading. Find out all the adventures you can have in Apiti with this list of amazing things to do in Apiti!
Why not visit the nearby towns for more activities in the Manawatu-Whanganui region? Check out these towns:
1. Explore Limestone Creek and the Glowworm Caves
Limestone Creek is an amazing natural feature to explore both by day and by night. Check out the arches and caves of this moss-covered river gorge on a 600m (656-yard) walk. At night, you’ll be able to see clusters of glowworms. For the best viewing, keep your torchlight use to a minimum. Check out more places to see glowworms in 10 Free Glowworm Caves in New Zealand.
Location: Limestone Road End.
© www.ManawatuNZ.co.nz2. Do the Alice Nash Heritage Lodge Walk
For an easy walk along the stunning Oroua River in the Ruahine Ranges, do the 1h30minute one-way walk to a heritage lodge on the banks of the Oroua River. For something a bit more advanced, continue hiking from the lodge to the Iron Gate Hut (4 hours) or take the steep ascent to the Tunupo high point (3-4 hours).
Location: Off Table Flat Road.
© www.ManawatuNZ.co.nz3. Hike the Deerford Track
A couple of hiking options are available on the Deerford Track, which is great for any level of fitness. From the car park, follow the fenceline to Makiekie/Coal Creek then it’s a short climb to the plateau meeting the Deerford Track. You can then loop back to Coal Creek again taking 2-3 hours total. Alternatively, just prior to the creek is a fork in the track where the left becomes the Knights Track (up to the summit) and the right is the steep Diagonal meeting Shorts Track. The Deerford-Diagonal-Shorts Tracks loop would take 4-5 hours.
Location: Limestone Road End.
© max_wax1973 on Flickr4. Horse Trek or Take a 4×4 Tour at Makoura Lodge
This countryside retreat is packed with activities from horse trekking to 4×4 safaris. Trek through river valleys and to hidden waterfalls or experience a purpose-built 4×4 track made to test even the toughest of off-roaders! The lodge also has accommodation, clay-pigeon shooting and hole-in-one golf.
Location: 8km (5 miles) from Apiti. 736, Makoura Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com5. Enjoy the Views from the Oroua Valley Lookout
The Oroua Valley Road drive between Apiti and Kimbolton is sure to take your breath away. A highlight of this rural countryside drive with awesome views of the Ruahine Ranges in the background is the Oroua Valley Lookout. Enjoy the views from this platform which is well-signposted on the roadside.
Location: Oroua Valley Road.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Go Horse Trekking at Table Flat
For more horse trekking fun in Apiti, join Table Flat Trekking for 45 minutes to 3-hour rides in the high countryside. Tours are in small groups of four or less for a more individual and unique experience. For more places to experience horse riding in New Zealand, see our 11 Awesome Horse Treks in New Zealand.
Location: Limestone Road End.
© www.ManawatuNZ.co.nzMore Things to Do Near Apiti
- 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North
- 6 Fun Things to Do in Mangaweka
- 12 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Manawatu
That’s it for the best things to do in Apiti. For more activities on your travels, check out the 51 Best Things to Do in the North Island.
