BULLS

Baker’s Oven
From Bulls on the right just after Wheriko Church, Parewanui Rd. Built for Parewanui Pa 1916.

Barrdroc Café
North of the Bulls bridge on the left hand side. Indoor/outdoor dining, great cuisine, off road parking. Phone 322 1594.

Bridge Motor Lodge and Caravan Park
Bridge St Bulls. Motel, caravan park, conference facilities. Phone 322 0894.

Bulls Domain
Sporting activities, rugby club rooms. Phone 322 1419, Dave Andrews 322 1160.

Dairy Bull Dairy
Fishing tackle. Phone 322 1218.

Bulls Historical Museum
High St Bulls. Open 7 days 1 - 3pm.

Memorial to “Bess”
Forest Rd off Parewanui Rd. The only local horse to return from WW1. English and Turkish inscription. Phone John Parr 323 6585.

Mt Lee Bush Reserve
Wilson Rd, past Ohakea Air Base. Bush walk through spectacular native trees. Renowned for massive daffodil display in the spring.

Rangitikei Golf Course
Raumai Rd 5kms from Bulls, 18 holes, open all year round.

Rangitikei Information Centre
“Inform-a-bull”
At the Coach Terminal 113 Bridge St. Information, bookings, Bulls souvenirs. Phone 322 0055.

Scotts Ferry
The “Ina” place to be and whitebaiting capital of the Rangitikei.
The ferry on Parewanui Rd was built in the early 1850s as transport across the Rangitikei River and used until 1908, then purchased to ferry stock across the Wanganui River at Parikino. It was salvaged from the mud at Moutoa and restored in 1990.

Wheriko Church
Parewanui Rd 10kms from Bulls. Anglican Maori Mission Church dedicated in 1862 by Rev Taylor. A wooden church unique in construction and still in use today. Phone Rev Dawn Nitschke 322 1696.

HUNTERVILLE

Huntaway Capital of the World – a tribute to the huntaway dogs used in the surrounding hills and strong dog trialling clubs.
In the town centre Patrick the Ram and his flock, created by Robin
Coleman, commemorate the millions of sheep that were driven to and from the saleyards. There is a magnificent bronze model of a huntaway dog in Queen’s Park.
Hunterville Huntaway Festival Held annually on the first Saturday after Labour Weekend. For more information visit www.shemozzle.co.nz or email info@shemozzle.co.nz.

Hunterville Lions Bike Race
Held annually on Labour Day Sunday. For more information visit www.huntervillebikeride.co.nz.

Parks & Reserves

Bruce Park
Silverhope, SH 1, 3kms south of Hunterville. Native flora and fauna.

Queen’s Park
SH 1 Hunterville. Entry opposite the Hunterville Service Centre. Very attractive with mature deciduous trees, caravan park and an interesting short walking track and swing bridge.

Simpson’s Bush
Poukiore Rd Hunterville. Large grassed area surrounded by bush, ideal for picnics and barbecues.

Vinegar Hill Reserve
6kms north of Hunterville off SH 1. Native bush, swimming, trout fishing, camp sites, conveniences. Picnic by the Rangitikei River.

Other Attractions

Hunterville Domain
Paraekaretu St, sports activities.

Hunterville Settlers Museum/Gallery
Milne St. Open Fri 2 - 4pm or on request. Phone Robyn McNie 322 8122.

Lawrences’ Garden
Pat and Selwyn Lawrence, 4 Rangatira Rd. Open Oct - Mar, phone 322 8214.

Old Railway Station Garden
Colourful trees, shrubs, perennials and self-seeding plants – anything that will grow on metal. Marjie Brickley 322 8449.

Rangatira Golf Course
SH 1 Ohingaiti 12kms north of Hunterville. 18 holes on three levels, a cable car providing transport to holes on lower level.

Swimming Pool
Paraekaretu St, phone 322 8116.

Unforget-a-Bull Tours
Take the a-Bull walk with Bronwyn Meads 322 0051.

MARTON

Wanganui River journey and abseiling. Phone Peter Coss 327 8700.

Marton and District Historial and Archive Society
Wellington Rd. Open Monday - Friday 10am - 12 noon or by appointment. Phone 327 6689.

Sculpture by Robin
Found throughout the world, created in bronze, marble, stone and modern materials with a theme or message. Sculpture Park, viewing by ap-pointment. Sculpture and sculpture books for sale. Phone Robin 327 8930.

St John’s Tutu Totara
1km from main highway on Porewa Rd. Burial place of early missionary Bishop Hadfield. Stained glass windows are a feature. Phone parish office 327 8398.

St Martin’s Church Greatford
Built in 1882 and featuring a unique stained glass window. Phone Wendy Willis 327 8410.

St Martin’s Lutheran Church
Pukepapa Rd. Foundation stone laid in 1876 on land donated by Heinrich Goile, originally for large German settler population. Phone pastor 327 8092.

St Stephen’s Anglican Church
Maunder St. High vaulted ceilings, a fine old pipe organ, stained glass windows. Originally modelled on Salisbury Cathedral, a shortage of finance brought about modifications. The foundation stone was laid in 1871. Phone 327 8398.

Outdoors

Rangitikei River
Excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Good picnic spot at Kakariki Bridge.

Sporting Venues
Marton Park, rugby; Centennial Park, hockey, netball, tennis, cricket; cricket grounds; squash courts.

Swimming
Marton Baths, Hereford St, phone 327 8359.

Tramping
There are a number of good tramps, for all levels of fitness, in the Ruahine Ranges. Contact Peter Toulmin, Rangitikei Tramping Club phone 327 6765.

Turakina Beach
Safe swimming beach, fishing, accessible by foot or 4wd.

Parks & Reserves

Birdlife
10ha bordering Makohau Rd. Phone Hugh Stewart 327 8064.

Centennial Park and Rose Garden
Broadway Marton. Hockey, netball, cricket, tennis, skateboarding.

Forest and Bird Walkway
Walkway with carved gateway, native trees. Start behind Memorial Hall, walk to Hereford St. Phone John Marsh 327 7821.

Frae-Ona Park
Calico Line. Miniature lake, wildlife, ducks.

Graystoke
Jefferson’s Line. Picnic area, accessible from roadside.

Malvern Hills Bush
Mt Curl, by appointment only, phone Richard Gower 327 6436.

Marton Park
Beautifully developed gardens, exotic trees, picnic area. Rugby.

Sir James Wilson Park
Marumaru St. Sporting facilities for athletics, rugby league, soccer, weightlifting, wrestling; rose garden, children’s playground.

The Ingle Walkway
Between Milne St and Armagh Tce; mainly native plants.

Laird’s Bush
Mangahoe Rd.
McPherson’s Bush
Turakina Valley Rd.
Pryce’s Rahui Reserve
Putorino Rd Rata.
Sutherland’s Bush
Turakina Valley Rd.
Sutherland’s
No 2 Mangahoe Rd.

Camping Grounds

Dudding’s Lake Holiday Park and Picnic Area
10kms from Marton on SH 3 (Bulls Wanganui Highway). Swimming, fishing, windsurfing, pedal boats, canoes, water slide, four wheeled motor-bikes. Picnic area, barbecues, caravan sites. Phone 327 8127.

Koitiata - Turakina Beach
Safe children’s playground, sheltered picnic tables. Camping and picnic facilities. Phone Tom Dooney 327 3770.

Playgrounds
Alongside Memorial Hall in Wellington Rd, also Wilson Park in Marumaru St.

Garden Visits
Craig Lea
Griffin Rd, by appointment only, phone 327 6405.
Earlstoun
Open by appointment, phone 327 8410.
Mungoven
Tutaenui Rd. Open all year by appointment, morning/afternoon tea by arrangement. Phone 327 6631.

Nikau Hill Nursery
Makirikiri Rd, 8kms north of Bulls, 2kms off SH 1. Activities for the children as well. Phone 327 4131.

Onepuhi Cottage Garden
Open by appointment, phone 327 6064.

The Ridges
Rata Straights. Individuals and groups welcome by appointment (even short notice), phone 327 8484.

Westoe, Kakariki
Open daily, Sunday by appointment only, phone 327 6350.

Woodleigh Farm
Tutaenui Rd, by appointment, phone 327 7280.

MANGAWEKA

Mangaweka came into being as a milling and railway construction settlement. It is now a centre for outdoor activities, art viewing and base for park tramping and farm walks.
The Kawhatau River sweeps down from the Ruahine Ranges through high cliffs to join the lovely Rangitikei River.

i-5 Gallery and Café
Inspiring art, fine food and innovative events. Open Friday - Sunday on Broadway. Contact Maree or Drew on 382 5887.

Green Trout
Accommodation looking ove the Kawhatau River. Sleeps nine in a self-contained house. Good base for fishing and tramping. Contact Jim and Ruth Rainey 382 5507.

Fishing
The Rangitikei River offers good trout fishing. Licences are available from Up the Creek River Centre 382 5744. Fishing instruction available from Rangitikei anglers Jack MacKenzie 382 5852, Jim Rainey 382 5507.

Flat Hills Tourist Park
SH 1 5kms south of Mangaweka. Animals, farm displays, jet sprints, maze, picnic and barbecue, souvenir shop. Family fun. Phone 322 9734.

Kawhatau Outdoor Education Centre
Activities include aquatic, alpine and earth studies, birds, bushcraft, abseiling, fishing, kayaking/rafting. Accommodation for 60 in bunk rooms. Phone DOC, 388 2031 or Colin Baird 388 0515.

Horse Riding
Ruahine Adventure Horse Treks, phone Alan and Liz Rennie 382 5555.

Kawhatau Outdoor Centre
Catering up to 60 with many activities in the area including bush walks, fishing and kayaking/rafting. Great for schools, conferences, weddings and family reunions. Phone DOC 388 2031 or Colin Baird 388 0515.

Kawhatau Weekend Wanders
Walking package that allows you to set your own pace and explore country closed to the public. Native bush and birds. Phone Kristin and Bunny Gorringe 382 5721, Jim and Ruth Rainey 382 5507.

Mairenui Rural Retreat
Accommodation with choice of catered or self-contained in picturesque setting. Good base for local activities. Phone 382 5564.

Mangaweka Air Adventures
Home of the iconic Café Aeroplane on SH 1. Mangaweka Air is a petrol station with café, dairy and souvenirs on site. Enjoy a latté inside the plane. Phone Don Grey 382 5747.

Mangaweka Camping Ground
Ruahine Rd. Toilet/shower, barbecue area, power points. Contact Up the Creek River Centre 382 5744.

Mangaweka Gallery
SH 1. Paintings, stone carvings, photography, ceramics and more. Open Thursday - Monday. Phone Richard Aslett 382 5774.

Mangaweka Power Scheme
A few minutes from Mangaweka. Photographic display and short walk to view the dam. Brochures are available from the Department of Conserva-tion (DOC) on Broadway, Up the Creek River Centre on SH 1, Rangitikei Information Centres at Bulls and Taihape.

Mangaweka Scenic Reserve
Short walk (1 hour). Brochures describing this walk and the plants you will see are available from DOC or Rangitikei Information Centre.

Rangitikei Adventure Co
Rafting and kayaking on the Rangitikei River, including one hour family fun trips, Liquid Pathways and Multiday Expeditions. Bookings at Up the Creek River Centre 382 5744.

Ruahine Ranges
Information on hunting and tramping is available from DOC. Call in or phone 388 2031 or Up the Creek River Centre 382 5744.

Rugs and Art
Raumaewa Rd, 100m off SH 1. View by appointment only, phone 382 5811.

The Logs
SH 1. Local accommodation, sleeps nine in a self-contained unique log cabin. Bookings 382 5744.

The Yellow Church and Cottage of Mangaweka Gallery and Homestay
SH 1. Beautifully restored turn of the century church and cottage. View art and stay in a piece of history. Phone Richard 382 5774.

Up The Creek River Centre
Information and booking centre, café and internet, post office, gifts and souvenirs, fishing licences, campground office and the base for Mangaweka Adventure Co. Open daily on SH 1. Phone 382 5744.

Weka Walks
Marked walks on hill country and through native bush. Accommodation at Hodd Cottage. Phone Virginia and Neil Travers 382 5726.

RANGITIKEI COUNTRY TRAIL

Part of Haunui Heritage Trails, an opportunity to discover the historic, geographic, cultural and social aspects of New Zealand.The Rangitikei Country Trail has the Rangitikei River running its length. Development of the Rangitikei dates from the early 1850s in Turakina, Bulls and Marton, with Hunterville and Taihape following in the 80s and 90s. From Hunterville north settlement followed the development of the railway.

RATANA

The centre of the Ratana faith throughout New Zealand. Tahu Potiki Wiremu Ratana started this movement in 1918. The temple is of architectural interest. Built in 1918, renovated in 1991-92. Manuao administration building was built 1937 and renovated and re-opened in 1981. This was done with voluntary labour. Plans for the future include a museum and new building, Te Kaumarua, for youth and sport. A new building has been erected in Feaver St, dedicated to Father Feaver, a Methodist.

TAIHAPE

Gumboot Day Festival
 The annual Gumboot Day Festival takes place on Easter Tuesday and is a family fun day incorporating the gumboot throwing contest. Further in-formation is available from the Taihape Community Development Trust, Eva George 388 1307.

Other Attractions

Children’s Playgrounds
Memorial Park Kokako St.

Golf Course
18 holes, 4kms north of Taihape, turn left off SH 1. Visitors welcome.

Gumboot Park
SH 1 adjacent to Mobil Service Station, rotunda and picnic spot. Jeff Thompson’s gumboot sculpture is located here.

Horse Riding
River Valley Horse Trekking. Phone Janey Megaw 388 1444.

Memorial Park
Kokako St. A beautiful domain which lies along the banks of the Hautapu River. The domain covers 36ha of mostly natural forest. Paths provide pleasant strolls from the sports ground, through the bush to the river and there is a delightful picnic area by the river.

Mokai Gravity Canyon
Highest North Island bungy. New adventure park, spectacular views, first water powered counter balanced chairlift to water below, a giant flying fox and ultimate swing. Phone 0-800-802 864.

Outback
Town centre adjacent to railway line, picnic tables and public toilets.

Rangitikei Information Centre
Hautapu St (Town Hall). Also on display a gallery of photos showing the beauty of the district. Bookings for coach, train and ferry travel, accommo-dation, attractions, etc. Phone 388 0604.

Recreation Park
Part of Memorial Park Kokako St. Baths, skateboard bowl, rugby ground, squash, netball, tennis courts.

River Valley Lodge
Built beside the beautiful Rangitikei River. Magnificent scenery, accommodation, meals, white water rafting, horse trekking, kayaking, walks, 9 hole pitch and putt golf. Nicola and Brian Megaw phone 388 1444.

Swimming Pool, Skateboard Bowl
Kokako St. Phone 388 0038.

Taihape Museum
In the old Methodist Church, Huia St. On display is a facsimile of the first store, articles pertaining to early sawmilling and railway (started in 1904). Phone Bruce Jensen 388 0919.

The Wool Company
Utiku, south of Taihape. Get the touch and feel of wool in its natural unwashed form, explore the exciting range of wool yarn and products. Phone 0-800-607 010.

Taihape Camping Ground
Taihape Riverview Holiday Park, Abattoir Rd. Phone Rei and Fran Rangiawha 388 0718.

Triangle – Centre of Taihape
Clock tower and cenotaph, picnic tables. Food outlets nearby.

TURAKINA

Parks & Reserves

Cameron Park
By the service station. Planted with native trees in 1998 to commemorate early settlers. Old stone trough, once sited on the main road, fed by a natural spring, used by passing traffic, cattle, horses, early 1900s.

McPhersons Bush and Sutherlands Bush
On Turakina Valley Rd. Picnic sites and walking tracks. View native flora and fauna.

Three Valley Heritage Trail
Starts in Turakina taking in Turakina, Whangaehu and lower Wanganui River valleys. Look out for the site of the first New Zealand Health Camp on Turakina Valley Rd marked by an Historic Place Trust plaque, and the historic Scots settlement of Turakina
on SH 3.

Turakina Beach
A safe swimming and fishing beach, accessible by foot and four wheel drive.

Turakina Domain
Sports ground, picnic ground with shelter, camping, toilet facilities. Phone Viv Chapman 327 3705 or Geoff Briant 327 3746.

Turakina Highland Games
The oldest highland games in New Zealand (150 years) are held on the last Saturday in January at the Turakina Domain. Massed pipe bands, band contests,
highland and national dancing, field events (for adults and children), Turakina - Wanganui road race, evening ceilidh (dance). Contact Ros Grant phone
327 3861.

Turakina Historic Cairn
Plaque commemorating first Presbyterian Church service in the Rangitikei, by Rev Duncan, 15 December 1852, 158 years ago. Phone Bob Major 327 3708.