The Complete Travel Guide to Palmerston North

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What to Do in Palmerston North

The real question is: what can’t you do in Palmy? This lively inland city packs in way more than you’d expect. You’ve got riverside walks, rose gardens, and scenic reserves for the outdoorsy types, museums, street art, and live shows for the culture lovers.

Mountain bike parks and hiking trails are just minutes from town if you’re chasing adventure.

Weekends bring bustling markets, while the café scene and breweries keep things buzzing year-round.

The Top Experiences in Palmerston North

What are the must-dos? Here are some of the Palmerston North highlights:

• Walk or cycle the Manawatu River Pathway
• Take a road trip to Himatangi Beach
• Wander around the rose gardens and more at Victoria Esplanade
• Visit the birds at Wildbase Recovery
• Explore the exhibitions at Te Manawa
• Go for a hike and see the māori sculpture at Manawatu Gorge
• Experience stunning scenery on a horse trek at Makoura Lodge.

… And the list continues over in our 20 Best Things to Do in Palmerston North.

Rainy Day Activities

Don’t let a rainy day spoil the fun! Make sure you have a few wet weather backups at the ready, such as:

• Get competitive at the Daytona Indoor Raceway
• Go for a jump at an indoor trampoline park at Cloud 9
• Visit the New Zealand Rugby Museum.

If you need more ideas, head to the 15 Things to Do in Palmerston North on a Rainy Day.

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Where to Stay in Palmerston North

Other than the accommodations we recommend on the righthand side of this complete travel guide to Palmerston North, we’ve put together full lists of places to stay based on budget, family-friendly options, romantic escapes and premium stays.

And just so you know, every list is put together by real writers who’ve done the research, not by some random algorithm!

• 5 Best Backpacker Hostels
• 20 Best Hotels
• 20 Best Motels
• 10 Best Budget Accommodations
• 10 Best Family Accommodations
• 10 Best Luxury Accommodations
• 10 Best Romantic Accommodations
• 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations

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Where to Eat in Palmerston North

Where Palmerston North really shines is its food. Foodies will definitely want to make a stop here when travelling the North Island to get an insight into some of the Kiwi specialities: craft beer, wine, coffee, honey, and, of course, dairy! Yes, Palmerston North offers food tours and experiences about all of these items and then some.

The city and its surrounding towns are also home to award-winning farmers’ markets, which are the perfect places to sample local produce.

For more insight on planning a food-oriented trip, take a look at The Foodie Guide to Palmerston North: Place to Eat & Food Tours.

The Best Restaurants in Palmerston North

• Nero Restaurant (36 Amesbury Street)
• Little Savanna (45-47 Princess Street)
• Brew Union Brewing Co (39-41 Broadway Avenue)
• Haru Japanese Restaurant (19 Broadway Avenue)
• Tony’s Pizza (134 The Square)
• Saigon Corner (54 Princess Street)
• The Fat Farmer (360 Albert Street)
• The Herb Farm Café (86 Grove Road, RD 10)
• Pompeii Pizza (Fitzherbert Avenue)
• Amayjen Restaurant (17 Victoria Avenue)

Again, more details on these eats can be found in The Food Guide to Palmerston North: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Food Experiences and Food Tours

• Experience the vibrant farmers’ markets
• Take a tour of a coffee roastery
• Browse honey products and taste honey ice cream at Waireka Honey
• Take a tour of the Tui Brewery
• Treat your tastebuds at Palmerston North’s restaurants.

For information on all these experiences and more, take a look at the 5 Things to Do in Palmerston North for Foodies.

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Palmerston North for Budget Travellers

From the city parks to the surrounding landscapes of the Ruahine to Himarangi Beach, Palmerston North offers plenty to explore for free. Combine that with the city’s free and cheap museums and you have an affordable stay in this hub of the lower North Island.

As a popular student city, Palmerston North has affordable recreational activities and eateries to match, making it an ideal pit stop for budget travellers.

Plan where you’re going to stay, what you’re going to do, and where you’re going to eat in The Guide to Palmerston North on a Budget.

Things to Do in a Budget

• Visit the Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History
• Check out the New Zealand Rugby Museum
• Wander through native bush in Bledisoe Park
• Hike in Manawatu Gorge and visit the Te Apiti Windfarm
• Walk or cycle the Manawatu River Pathway.

For elaboration on each experience and more, see the 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Palmerston North.

Cheap Accommodation

Palmerston North is a city of motels, many of which offer cheap rates for an affordable self-contained stay. You’ll also find some but limited budget lodges, hostels and hotels.

Check out your best options for cheap stays with our 10 Best Budget Accommodation in Palmerston North.

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Palmerston North for Luxury Travellers

Palmerston North is your premier city destination for countryside living in the lower North Island. Play on New Zealand’s original golf course, ride among lush farmland on horseback, and visit the city’s surrounding villages and their boutiques.

It’s also a place where you can discover new hobbies, perhaps kitesports on Foxton Beach, or simply enjoy the pleasures of doing nothing at all as you unwind with a luxury spa treatment. Stay in well-appointed hotels or one of the city’s nearby luxury lodges.

Plan your entire stay fuss-free with The Luxury Guide to Palmerston North.

Luxury Activities in Palmerston North

• Experience sublime scenery on a horse trek at Makoura Lodge
• Tee off at Palmerston North’s premium golf courses
• Do some boutique shopping
• Tackle unique beach sports at Foxton Beach
• Indulge in a luxury spa day.

For elaboration on each experience and more, see the 5 Luxury Activities in Palmerston North.

Luxury Accommodation in Palmerston North

Palmerston North might not be a destination of five-star luxury, but you will find some four-star international hotels in the city, as well as premium boutique lodges on the outskirts.

Plan your stay with the 5 Best Luxury Accommodations in Palmerston North.

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Palmerston North for Families

Have a stroll around the parks and walkways, check out the indoor activity centres and museums and you’ll likely think that Palmerston North was made for families. The city makes a pleasant break from the road when travelling around the family, offering effortless and affordable fun.

At the end of a busy or, if you prefer, not-so-busy day, retreat to one of the many self-catering motels to keep costs low or to a hotel where you can treat the whole family to dinner.

Plan the perfect family stay with The Guide to Palmerston North for Families.

Family Tours and Activities

• Try blokarting at Manawatū Blokart Club
• Bound around at Cloud 9 Trampoline Park
• Make a splash at Off the Loop Wake Park
• Cool off at the splash pad in Memorial Park
• Pedal around at the Junior Road Safety Park.

For more information on each activity and their locations, as well as a few others, take a look at the 15 Things to Do in Palmerston North with Kids.

Family-Friendly Accommodation

Convenience is key in Palmerston North, which boasts an array of motels with self-catering facilities and other comforts of home, like laundry facilities. You’ll also find holiday homes and hotels should you be after something different.

Take your pick from the 10 Best Family Accommodation in Palmerston North.

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Palmerston North for Couples

To New Zealand standard, Palmerston North has a bit of a reputation for not being the prettiest. But with a picturesque river and walkway running through it and places like Victoria Esplanade with endearing gardens, we might beg to differ.

The city is an exceptional place for date night with a wealth of quality restaurants while the nearyby beaches and mountain ranges certainly set the tone for romance.

Plan your retreat with your loved one using The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Palmerston North.

Romantic Things to Do

• Wander around the rose gardens and native bird hospital at Victoria Esplanade
• Road trip north to see dramatic limestone landscape and glowworms at the Limestone Creek Reserve
• Indulge in a couples spa packages at the Hiwinui Country Estate
• Cosy up with a movie and wine at the Focal Point Cinema & Cafe
• Watch the sunset from Himutangi Beach or Anzac Park.

For more information on each experience and others, see the 10 Romantic Activities in Palmerston North for Couples.

Couples’ Accommodation

In the city, the premium hotels and a couple of the more upscale motels provide a romantic stay for couples. Check out some of your options in the 10 Best Romantic Accommodation in Palmerston North.