Rangitikei Art Trail:
Mangaweka ‘Yellow Church’ Gallery:
Resident artists plus local and international artwork and artists. Monthly exhibitions. SH1, Mangaweka; Ph. 06 382 5774.
Mangaweka Masterpieces:
Unique ever-increasing collection of large-scale artworks gracing Mangaweka’s historic buildings and prominent features. Walk around the village to see works inspired by famous (and infamous) masterpieces and artists.
Marton Barber’s Art Gallery:
26 High Street, Marton; Ph: 06 327 4564.
Marton Historic Architecture Trail.
Heritage Homestead Tours:
All homes are privately owned and designed by English Architects between 1880 to 1915 in styles concurrent with international trends. 100 years on, they are set in mature grounds, hidden away in the beautiful New Zealand countryside. Tours by arrangement and are subject to availability.
Self-guided historic places tour: (Marton Historical Soc. brochure)
Museum, Historic Village & Archives – Wellington Road
St Stephen’s Church (1873) & School (1818) – Maunder Street / Grey & Signal Streets
Former Courthouse, Marton (1897) – High Street
The ‘Rangitikei Advocate’ building (1875) – High Street
Club Hotel (1866) – cnr High & Stewart Streets
Sugar Plum Cafe (1865) – High Street (Ye olde granary Building)
Kendrick Cottage (1863) – Ross Street
Marton Brick & Tile Co. – Vera Street
Marton Racecourse (1903) – Racecourse Avenue
Marton Junction (1903) – Railway Station settlement area at junction of Main Trunk Line and Taranaki branch line
Marton Park (1893) – Follett Street
Huntley School (1899) – Wanganui Road
Nga Tawa School (1909) – Calico Line
BNZ Bank (1900) – High Street and Wellington Road
Walking Trails:
Guided Kawhatau Valley Walks
Walk at your own pace with minimal gear over superb hill country farms. Kawhatau Valley, Mangaweka Road, Mangaweka Ph.06 382 5721
Whitecliffs Boulders. Cannon ball concretion boulders made from mudstone. 535 Peka Road, Mangaweka; Ph: 06 3825877.
Weka Walks Ph. 06 382 5726
DOC Parks & Reserves
Marton – Duddings’ Lake.
Bulls – Domain Walk.
Turakina – McPherson’s Bush; Koitiata Sand Walk.
Hunterville – Bruce Park Scenic Reserve; Simpson’s Bush, Laird’s Bush; Sutherland’s Bush; Pryce Reserve.
Mangaweka – Kawhatau DOC Field Base; Mangaweka Power Scheme; Mangaweka Scenic Reserve.
Taihape – Paengaroa Scenic Reserve; Mt Stewart Reserve; Memorial Park.
Doc Backcountry Hut passes
Rangitikei is the gate way to the Ruahine and Tararua Forest Parks, the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. There are over 900 DOC huts in New Zealand amongst very scenic countryside. Local information Centres can even book helicopter flights in to them.
Rangitikei Golf Courses:
Marton Golf Club: Uncrowded challenging 18 hole course for all levels of golfers set amongst sandhills, forest and surrounding farms. Santoft Road, off SH3, Marton.
Hawkestone Golf Club: Kakariki Road, Marton. Ph. 06 327 6356.
Rangatira Golf Club
Unique three tiered course with stunning views of the Rangitikei River. Electric powered cable car is the only one in the Southern Hemisphere! SH1, 12 kms north of Hunterville; Ph. 06 322 9859 or 06 322 8561.
Rangitikei Golf Club
Located about 5kms from the town centre of Bulls, the Rangitikei Golf Club’s par 72 course offers a challenging 18 holes with several undulating holes to test the unwary. Golf carts available for hire and visitors guaranteed a friendly welcome. The Rangitikei Golf Club, Raumai Road, Bulls. Ph (06) 322 1475.
Fishing Guide:
Green Trout Guiding
Guide, Jim Rainey, has been fly fishing for 30 years and guiding for the last 12 years on the Rangitikei River and it’s tributaries. Choose from on-foot, rafted and heli-fishing guided options for novices to the most experienced anglers. Kawhatau Valley, RD 7, Mangaweka; Ph. 06 382 5507
Tarata Fishaway Lodge 925 Mokai Road, Taoroa Junction 4793
Rangitikei Museums:
There are District Museums in Bulls, Marton, Hunterville, Mangaweka and Taihape.
National Army Museum/cafe – State Highway 1, Waiouru.
Rangitikei Antique & Collectibles Trail:
Turakina Antiques & Collectables (and café) 2496 SH 3, Turakina; Ph: 06 327 3617
Times Past Antiques – 70 High Street, Bulls; Ph: 06 345 5181
Intrigue
Bulls Antiques and Collectables Cnr Bridge & High Streets, Bulls; Ph: 06 322 1518
Scotty’s Gifts and Collectibles 73 High Street, Bulls; Ph: 06 322 1882
French & Sons – importers of English & French antiques 87-89 High Street, Bulls; Ph: 322 0228
BB French Ltd – Sanson Antique Centre 63 Dundas Road Crossroads, Sanson; Ph: 06 329 3647
Passions –
Rangitikei Garden Trail:
Lawrence’s Garden Open 1 October to 31 January. Large town garden, cottage style. Picnic area. Toilet available. 4 Rangatira Road, Hunterville; Ph: 06 322 8214
Mungoven Garden Spring rhododendrons, azaleas, mollis, dogwoods, Camelias, wisteria, clematis and summer perennials and roses. Morning and afternoon tea by prior arrangement. 20 Tutaenui Road, Marton. Ph: 06 327 6631
Nikau Hill Nursery and Water Gardens Boutique nursery and water garden with water lilies, bog plants, aquatica, wetland plants/grasses, shrubs, trees, natives, succulents/perennials. 4711 Makirikiri Road, RD 1, Marton. Ph: 06 327 4131.
Westoe Gardens Park-like and woodland garden featuring many native trees. Very sheltered old river terrace. Morning teas with prior notice – picnic area available. RD 1, 8km north of Bulls on the Feilding Road off SH1, Marton. Ph: 06 327 6350.
The Ridges Country Garden An old country garden set on a terrace above the Rangitikei River. Sheltered environment for rhododendrons, maples, lilies and hostas. Stunning view of the Ruahine Ranges, native bush and surrounding countryside. RD 1, Marton 5460. Ph: 06 327 8484
Cross Hills Gardens and Nursery 339 Rangiwahia Road RD 54 Kimbolton 4774 New Zealand Telephone: +64 (0)6 328 5797 one of the world’s finest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas.
Mauways Nursery State Highway 1, Hunterville (06) 322-9863
Rangitikei Adventure Tourism Trail:
Mokai Bridge, PO Box 84, Taihape. Ph. 06 388 9109.
River Valley Rafting
Raft the beautiful Rangitikei. Both Grade 5, (very exciting), and family (Grade 2) trips available. RD2, Taihape. Ph. 06 388 1444. F
River Drifters Ltd 62 Skerman Street, Marton; Ph: 06 327 8700
Mangaweka Adventure Company River trips & excursions. Ph.06 3825744
Horse Treks:
Lazy H Horse Treks 159 Makuku Road, Mangaweka; Ph: 06 388 1144
River Valley Stables Explore the magnificent hill country of the Rangitikei with River Valley Stables. RD2, Taihape. Ph. 06 388 1444.
Discoveries Taihape. Ph: 06 388 1243
Beaches, Lakes & River Access:
Beaches:
Koitiata Beach – access from Turakina (SH3 west of Marton) by foot or 4WD; Moanaroa Beach – access from Scotts Ferry (via Parewanui Road, Bulls) by foot or 4WD; Tangimoana Beach – access from SH1 between Bulls and Sanson via Kakariki Road.
Lakes:
Duddings Lake: SH3 Marton. Swimming, fishing, water sports.
Rangitikei River access:
Onepuhi & Kakariki Roads, Marton; Bulls; Vinegar Hill; Mangaweka; Utiku. Swimming, fishing, water sports.
Rangitikei Cycle Rides & Cycleways:
Cycle Rides:
From Marton – signposted from Marton Park for all grades of riders. 20km ‘Round The Block’; 30km Onepuhi Circuit; 40km Turakina Valley; 66km Hunterville Circuit.
From Bulls – signposted from local Information Centre. 16km Brandon Hall Road; 37 km Santoft Circuit.
Cycleways:
There are 3 cycleways through the Rangitikei, catering for all levels of fitness. They are the ‘Gorges to Sea (gorgeous to see) Cycleways, the New Zealand Cycle Trails and the Rangitikei Local Loops. Ride the entire length of the district over several days staying in local accommodation, or arrive in town and ride a loop trail, bringing you back to base. Rangitikei’s friendly towns provide cyclists with all their equipment and refreshment needs.
Rachel’s Bus also operates out of The Hub Cafe in Mangaweka, offering transport for up to 4 cyclists and / or their luggage.