Plan your Manawatū trip
Manawatū rewards those who follow their nose and get off the beaten track to find the hidden gems to see and do. For the adventure seekers, the innovators, the eco and culture-conscious and the thinkers of this world, dive right in to get a flavour of Manawatū.
Stay
Manawatū has a number of unique accommodation options to make your stay memorable. From hotels and motels, thorough to farm stays, luxury lodges and hilltop glamping, there is something for everyone here in Palmerston North, Feilding and beyond. Consider turning your stay into an experience in our rural villages of Āpiti and Kimbolton where there are plenty of activities on offer, or find somewhere urban and have access to theatres, arts, and more at your doorstep.
Check out the range of accommodation on offer here and start planning your stay.
Eat
Manawatū has outstanding places to grab a bite to eat both in the city and in the countryside. In Feilding, some standouts include 4 Flames, and The Strong Room. In the wider region, Ginger Bird in Colyton is a café not to be missed, along with The Herb Farm Café in Ashhurst and Orlando Country for delicious meals and epic views. In Palmerston North, the options expand with standout spots like Little Savanna, Brew Union, The Fat Farmer, and Yeda, are sure to satisfy any craving.
The city is home to more than 126 different cultures, and you can feel this reflected in our vibrant dining scene. With cuisine from across the globe, from high end Japanese and Korean barbecue to noodle houses and Vietnamese street food – you'll find plenty to choose from here in Manawatū.
Explore
Make the most of your time in Manawatū! Discover breathtaking outdoor adventures, from walking the iconic Te Āpiti – Manawatū Gorge to exploring lush gardens and scenic trails or catching a sunset at our rugged west coast beaches. Uncover the region's vibrant arts and culture scene, with galleries, museums, and live performances and dive into our unique cultural heritage as you explore our many river pathways. Whether it’s unwinding in nature or diving into local experiences, Manawatū offers the perfect balance of productivity and play.
Explore Manawatū’s food, fibre and agritech sector
A leading hub of food research, science and innovation, Manawatū is home to more than 3,100 scientists and researchers as well as three Crown Research Institutions. With many world leading organisations such as Finistere Ventures, Sprout AgriTech, The Factory, Synlait, and FoodPilot, choosing to operate from the region, Manawatū is recognised as housing the largest collection of pilot-scale food processing equipment in the southern hemisphere.
In the research and development precinct of Palmerston North city is an impressive collection of organisations including FoodHQ - a collaboration of internationally recognised companies, research and educational institutions providing food companies and innovators access to one of the world’s leading clusters of food science expertise and facilities. You’ll also find AgResearch, The Riddet Institute, and of course the Fonterra Research and Development Centre, one of the largest dairy research facilities in the world, with more than 300 researchers, engineers and scientists from 46 countries, with a combined 130 PhDs. It’s no wonder that Palmerston North is home to the highest number of PhD’s per capita in New Zealand!
