Things to Do in Palmerston North for Couples
Need to amp up your date nights or looking for things to do as part of your honeymoon/romantic getaway in the North Island? Palmerston North can provide with stunning surroundings to explore together, foodie experiences, spa days and more. While couples can enjoy any one of the 10 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North, we feature some of the most endearing in this list of romantic activities in Palmerston North for Couples.
For more ideas on planning a trip a romantic trip to “Palmy”, check out The Honeymoon Guide to Palmerston North and find a place to stay in the 5 Best Romantic Accommodation in Palmerston North.
1. Cycle the Manawatu River Pathway Together
A romantic and effortless (thanks to all the e-bike hires around) inner-city experience to enjoy as a couple is the Manawatu River Pathway. The 10km (6-mile) long sealed and compacted limestone walk/cycleway on the banks of a picturesque river passes through various parks, small tracts of forest and more. What better place to set a romantic scene in the heart of the city? Walk the trail together or hire bikes or e-bikes from the Palmerston North i-SITE, Green Bikes or Electric Bike Plus Palmerston North. For more walks to do together in the area, check out the 26 Awesome Hikes Around Palmerston North.
Location: Runs between Maxwells Line to Riverside Drive, Palmerston North city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com2. Wander Around the Rose Gardens and Native Bird Hospital at Victoria Esplanade
An excellent activity to couple with the Manawatu River Pathway, but an activity in its own right, is Victoria Esplanade. Smell the roses with your loved one in the Dugald McKenzie Rose Garden, have a picnic in one of the picturesque parks or grab a coffee from Cafe Esplanade. You can also see cute native birds and reptiles at the free-entry Wildbase Recovery, the city’s wildlife hospital.
Location: Access is off Park Road, Manawaroa Street or Fitzherbert Avenue, approximately 3km (2 miles) from Palmerston North city centre (The Square).
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Road Trip Up North to See Dramatic Limestone Landscape and Glowworms at the Limestone Creek Reserve
For an adventure outside of the city, hit the road to the Limestone Creek Reserve. Here, you’ll find a 600m (656-yard) loop track where you’ll discover limestone caves, towering moss-covered gorges and displays of glowworms. Take your gumboots or be prepared to get your feet wet in this walk that has you scrambling through shallow cave streams.
Location: Limestone Road, Āpiti, approximately 76km (47 miles) from Palmerston North city centre.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz4. Indulge in a Couples Spa Package at the Hiwinui Country Estate
Relax and rejuvenate together in a spa experience at the Hiwinui Country Estate. The luxury lodge just outside of the city features an indulgent day spa where couples can choose the “Couples Treat”. The experience begins with a relaxing soak in a private outdoor spa pool with a glass of bubbles. Then, you’ll both be whisked to the double treatment room for a one-hour massage experienced side-by-side. See more like this in the 6 Luxury Activities in Palmerston North.
Location: Hiwinui Country Estate – 465 Ashhurst Road, 12km (7 miles) from Palmerston North.
© Pixabay5. Cosy Up with a Movie and Wine at the Focal Point Cinema & Cafe
Simply visiting the quaint country towns surrounding Palmerston North can be romantic thing to do, but combine that with an ideal couples’ experience, like having a date night at the Focal Point Cinema & Cafe, and you have a winner. Cosy up in plush lounge chairs with new and classic blockbusters shown in this boutique cinema and cafe in Feilding and Palmerston North city. Indulge in a coffee and cake or treat yourselves to something from their wine bar. What’s more, this activity could be an excellent saviour for a rainy day. See more like this in the 10 Things to Do in Palmerston North on a Rainy Day.
Location: Focal Point Cinema Feilding – 81 Manchester Street, approximately 19km (12 miles) from Palmerston North city centre. Focal Point Cinema Palmerston North – 223 Cuba Street, Palmerston North city centre.
© Pixabay6. Treat Your Loved One to Dinner at Palmerston North’s Romantic Restaurants
Above all, Palmerston North is a foodie’s paradise – just check out The Foodie Guide to Palmerston North! If you’re seeking a special place for date night, however, there are a few worthy restaurants that come to mind. For instance, they say France is the most romantic country in the world, so let Dejeuner transport you there with their classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist. For something more casual but still sophisticated, try Little Savanna for their intriguing South African fusion food. Yatai Japanese Izakaya Restaurant is also a place to impress, specialising in fine dining Japanese cuisine designed to be shared. Palmerston North’s fine dining restaurants are also worth exploring, like the Nero Restaurant, Table 188, Aberdeen and more, as featured in The Luxury Guide to Palmerston North.
Location: Dejeuner – 44 The Square. Little Savanna – 45-47 Princess Street. Yatai Japanese Izakaya Restaurant – 316 Featherston Street.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nz7. Watch the Sunset from Himatangi Beach or Anzac Park
And what honeymoon or romantic reteat is complete without watching a stellar sunset? One of the best places to watch the sun setting near Palmerston North is from Himatangi Beach. This black sand beach, 30 minutes from the city, features stunning silhouettes of driftwood which looks amazing against the colourful hues. Another stunning place to see the sunset is from is Anzac Park, perched on a hill overlooking the city. It’s also the base of the Manawatu Observatory, making it a prime location for some romantic stargazing too.
Location: Himatangi Beach – Himatangi Beach Road, approximately 36km (22 miles) from Palmerston North city centre. Anzac Park – Cliff Road, approximately 4km (2 miles) from Palmerston North city centre.
© ManawatuNZ.co.nzMore Romantic Activities in Palmerston North
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.
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