Whanganui

This summer we did a bit of a road trip around the North Island, taking in Taranaki, Taupo, Ohope, Muriwai, and Warkworth.  Our first stop was an overnight in Whanganui.  I don't think we have ever stayed there, although long ago we did do a five-day kayak trip down the Whanganui River.

The Whanganui riverfront has been developed and hosts a weekend market.

The wiggly line across this globe is the Whanganui River.

Whanganui public art.

The weekend street market.

Just across the river from the main street is the unique Durie Hill elevator and tower. It was constructed 100 years ago, and comprises a 200 metre tunnel bored into the hill down at river level, at the end of which is an elevator which takes you up through the hill to the top! It costs just $2, which is collected by the lady who operates the elevator.  It is quite small and kicks and groans a bit as it goes up - not for the claustrophobic!

Crossing the Whanganui.  The War Memorial Tower is visible on the skyline.

Durie Hill Elevator.

The entrance to the tunnel.

The tunnel is nicely painted and brightly lit.  The elevator is at the far end.

From the top there is a panoramic view over Whanganui City and the river.  The lift was constructed as part of a new housing development on top of Dury Hill one hundred years ago.  Today the area seems quite posh, with some nice houses along the hill with great city views.

The top the lift, on Durie Hill.

We climbed up that spiral staircase (previous photo) and inspected the view.

The highest point on the hill is the War Memorial Tower.

We felt obliged to climb the 176-step War Memorial Tower which stands near the top of the elevator.  That provided the best views, although there was a stiff breeze up there.

Looking down on the elevator tower and the city from the Memorial Tower.

We returned to the city via the path and steps which provide an alternative to the elevator.  The CBD has a reasonable shopping centre, although it was mostly still closed for the holidays.  Next morning we set off for New Plymouth, taking the long way around Mount Taranaki via Opunake.  On the way  out of town we paused for coffee and a walk at the Virginia Lake Reserve, where there were lots of waterfowl, joggers, and locals out for a walk.

Virginia Lake Reserve

Australian coot and chick?

Weka

I stopped to ask a woman feeding the birds the name of those birds with the white beak and shield on their face.  I remembered wondering when we saw the same birds in Queenstown last year.  She did not know, but three minutes later came running up behind us to tell us she had looked it up on the internet and decided they are Australian coots!  We started noticing that everyone we passed said a friendly "good morning" - the difference between provincial and city dwellers?