What are the best things to do in Palmerston North?
Te Manawa Museum
The Te Manawa Museum is home to heritage exhibits, an art gallery, and an interactive science centre. By moving between these three spaces, visitors with Christchurch to Palmerston North flights can get a great insight into the culture and history of the region. Admire the works by local New Zealand and Maori artists in the gallery, or wander between more than 300 interactive exhibits covering biology, electricity and natural history in the science centre. With so much to see and do, Te Manawa Museum makes a great day out for families holidaying with cheap flights to Palmerston North from Christchurch.
Bledisloe Park
Although Bledisloe Park is only about 3 kilometres (1.8 miles) south of the CBD, it feels a world away from the city. The relatively untouched park offers visitors with flights Christchurch to Palmerston North the opportunity to see what the region may have looked like hundreds of years ago. Enjoy the walking trails throughout the park to see native trees and plants, and soak up the serenity of this quiet oasis after landing on cheap flights Christchurch to Palmerston North.
Manawatu Gorge
There are many beautiful day trips to take when you’re in town thanks to cheap flights to Palmerston North from Christchurch. One place to go is Manawatu Gorge, located about 16 kilometres (10 miles) east of the CBD. The gorge runs between the Ruahine and Tararua mountain ranges with the Manawatu River flowing through it. If you decide to visit the Manawatu Gorge after flights Christchurch to Palmerston North, you might also choose to take on the 10-kilometre hike along the Manawatu Gorge Track. The trail is dotted with several lookout spots, and some of the views include the nearby Te Apiti Wind Farm.
What is the best way to get around Palmerston North?
After arriving into Palmerston North Airport (PMR), you’ll have the option of making your way into the city centre by public bus. The Fielding-Palmerston North bus route stops at the airport about once every hour before making several stops around the CBD. Once you are in the city, you can continue travelling around the area by bus after your flights Christchurch to Palmerston North. There are 12 different bus routes operating around Palmerston North, and each can be caught from various points around the CBD. Taking the bus is a great way to complement your cheap flights Christchurch to Palmerston North, as the average bus fare costs only $2.50 per trip.
While the city centre is easily accessible on foot and by public transport, many visitors to Palmerston North opt to rent a car for their holiday. There is so much to see outside of the city centre and a rental car offers more freedom than public transport or tour operators. If you would like to rent a car to pick up after your flights Christchurch to Palmerston North, you can book one through Webjet. Rental cars are available from several major hire companies and can be picked up from Palmerston North Airport (PMR) upon your arrival.
What’s on in Palmerston North?
Sounds of Summer
Palmerston North’s Sounds of Summer concert series celebrates the region’s best local musicians. The festival is now in its ninth year and is a much-anticipated event. Held across five consecutive Sundays, there is ample chance for visitors with Christchurch to Palmerston North return flights to catch one of the festival’s concerts. A majority of the performances are held in the Victoria Esplanade Gardens, with musical genres spanning everything from choir to funk to alternative rock. Plus, as a bonus for those with Christchurch to Palmerston North flights that are looking for budget-friendly things to do; each of the concerts is free to attend.
Festival of Cultures
Palmerston North is home to many different cultures, and for a week at the end of each summer, this melting-pot is celebrated with the aptly-named Festival of Cultures. Festival-goers with cheap flights Christchurch to Palmerston North can learn about the area’s multiculturalism with events including a Lantern Parade and a World Fair. If you happen to have booked plane tickets to Palmerston North from Christchurch that puts you in the town during this time, be sure to head to the local square to take in some of the festivities, watch cultural performances, pick up locally-made arts and crafts, and sample food from world cuisines including Brazil, Thailand and Poland.
Manawatu Craft and Food Fair
The Manawatu Craft and Food Fair is held on various weekends throughout the year. In 2020, it is set to be held in February, June, August, and December. If your flights Christchurch to Palmerston North coincide with one of the weekends it is on, head to Waldegrave Street to attend. The fair showcases some of the best producers from the Palmerston North area with more than 85 stalls selling a variety of crafts and food. Some of the crafts available for purchase after Christchurch to Palmerston North flights include artwork, jewellery, and handmade candles.
