6 Amazing Things to Do in Ashhurst© ManawatuNZ.co.nz
6 Amazing Things to Do in Ashhurst

6 Best Things to Do in Ashhurst

© ManawatuNZ.co.nz

Ashhurst Activities You Can’t Miss

The quaint little countryside town of Ashhurst is the perfect stepping stone for marvelling in the dramatic landscapes of the Manawatu Gorge. The town is nearby a number of bushwalks taking you deep into lush native forest, while the town itself is home to picture-perfect gardens. You’ll be hard-pressed to get bored with all these amazing things to do in Ashhurst!

Ashhurst is just a 15-minute drive from Palmerston North on the North Island, so it’s a great little town to visit when exploring the Palmerston North area. For more awesome places to visit nearby, see these articles:

1. Walk the Tawa Loop at Manawatu Gorge

Delve into the native forest of the stunning Manawatu Gorge! The Tawa Loop is a 2-hour loop walk starting on the roadside of Manawatu Gorge and taking you deep in the forest. Highlights of the walk is a side track to a massive landslip that closed the Manawatu Gorge Road for a year, and also the giant metal sculpture of a Maori warrior nestled in the forest. For more walks in the area, check out 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North.

Location: State Highway 3. From the car park at the Ashhurst end of Manawatu Gorge.

6 Amazing Things to Do in Ashhurst© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Visit the Te Apiti Windfarm

Stand underneath a wind turbine and enjoy the views of the surrounding windfarm and rolling countryside. The Te Apiti Windfarm Lookout can either by drove to or ridden by bike up a winding sealed road to a large parking area. Interpretation panels give interesting facts about this sustainable energy generation. You can access the wind farm between 8am and 5.30pm.

Location: Saddle Road, Ashhurst.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

3. Explore the Ashhurst Domain

The Ashhurst Domain has something for everyone, whether you want to let the kids run around in the playground or take a peaceful bushwalk. The surrounding native forest is rich in birdsong and there are plenty of walkways along the river to views of conservation wetlands.

Location: Napier Road.

NZPocketGuide.com© NZPocketGuide.com

4. Wander Around the Greenhough Gardens

This perfect photo spot is filled with rows and rows of impeccably maintained rose, lily, bearded iris and poppy gardens backed with a quaint white cottage. Walk by ponds, pass through the shaded walk and return via the plant nursery. Greenhaugh Gardens is open only on weekdays so plan accordingly.

Location: 914 Napier Road.

Pexels© Pexels

5. Hike the Manawatu Gorge Track

For a longer adventure in Manawatu Gorge, take the 11.2km (7-mile) Manawatu Gorge Track. This 3-5-hour one-way hike incorporating an amazing array of trees from species of ferns and vines to tall podocarp trees and tropical-looking nikau palms. The track is not a loop so you will either need to return the same way or organise transport at the other end of the track.

Location: State Highway 3. Access is from the Ashhurst end of Manawatu Gorge in the car park right next to the entrance of the gorge. Alternatively, start from Ballance Gorge Road at the Ballance Gorge Bridge.

www.ManawatuNZ.co.nz© www.ManawatuNZ.co.nz

6. Visit the Herb Farm

The Herb Farm is a cafe and gift shop set among gorgeous themed gardens. The herbs in the gardens are used to make natural products which are made and sold on-site.

Location: 86 Grove Road.

Pexels© Pexels

More Things to Do Near Ashhurst

That’s it for the best things to do in Ashhurst. For more activities on your travels, check out the 51 Best Things to Do in the North Island.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

Was this article useful?

Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter