44 Virginia Lake One of Whanganui’s premier parks, Virginia Lake offers a range of activities including a 25 minute woodland walk around the lake. The birdlife, both on and around the water, is a major attraction and this is complemented by an aviary. The Winter Gardens is an all-year-round attraction with colourful displays whatever the season or weather. Entry is free and hours of operation are: Mon-Sun from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Adjoining the Winter Gardens is the Art Garden which combines an intriguing blend of sculpture and garden art. Virginia Lake features the Higginbottom Fountain, which is lit at night. Add in
a children’s playground and this makes Virginia Lake one of Whanganui’s most popular attractions.
Westmere Lake It’s an easy 40-minute walk around the tranquil Westmere Lake, with exotic forest and regenerating natives, and a wealth of bird life. It’s a great place for older children to run free, and bird watchers might like to sling a set of field lasses around their necks before they set out. If they are patient and quiet they may see dabchick, shoveler ducks, grey teal, New Zealand scaup and sulphur crested cockatoos as well as the usual black swans, shags, kingfishes and mallards.
There are also the usual land birds - tui, kereru, shining cuckoo and fantail. The walk starts on Rapanui Rd, about a kilometre from its intersection with SH3 on the Taranaki side of St John’s Hill. It’s clearly signposted, and there is room to park.
Lake Wiritoa Lake Wiritoa is located 12 minutes out of Whanganui and is an ideal place for all water based activities such as water skiing, fishing, swimming and sailing. It is also the home of the Wanganui Water Skiing Club. There are facilities available to have a picnic or barbeque which makes it a great place to take the family.
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345 5672
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