Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The town of
Levin
(population 19,550) is more sizeable, but suffers from being too
close to both Wellington and Palmerston North to warrant the through-traffic making a
stop.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Manawatu Gorge
& Around
About 15km northeast of Palmerston North, SH2 dips into Manawatu Gorge. Maori
named the gorge Te Apiti (the Narrow Passage), believing the big reddish rock near the
centre of the gorge was its guardian spirit. The rock's colour is said to change intensity
when a prominent Rangitane tribe member dies or sheds blood. It takes around four
hours to walk through the gorge from either end, or you can see it via jetboat (
Click
On the southwestern edge of the gorge, about 40 minutes' drive from Palmerston
in the southern hemisphere. From Hall Block Rd there are awesome views of the tur-
bines. Spinning similarly, north of the gorge is
Te Apiti Wind Farm
(
www.meridianenergy.co.nz
)
. There are great views from Saddle Rd - ask the Palmerston
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm Sat & Sun; )
for directions to both farms.
Alternatively, flee the city with a visit to
Timeless Horse Treks
( 06-376 6157;
www.timelesshorsetreks.co.nz
;
Gorge Rd, Ballance; 1-/2-hr rides from $45/75)
. Gentle trail rides
take in the Manawatu River and surrounding hills, or saddle up for an overnight summer-
time trek ($225). Palmerston North pick-up/drop-off available.
