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Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Lake Virginia
Lake Virginiaabout 3 km (2 mi) from Whanganui. Image credit: Image: David Thomsen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nature discovery

Nature Near Whanganui, New Zealand

Research 11 classified outdoor destinations within weekend reach of Whanganui, grouped across 5 kinds of place and ordered by measured straight-line distance from the city centre. Distances only — no travel times, schedules, or rankings.

Places listed
11
Closest
Lake Virginia — about 3 km
Furthest listed
about 93 km
Last updated
2026-05-16
Data year
2025

How this list is built

Each place is classified from its own Wikidata type, not from its name, and is ordered by measured straight-line distance from the centre of Whanganui. Distances are great-circle kilometres between two published coordinates — this page does not publish travel times, transport schedules, opening hours, ticket prices, or rankings. Confirm access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with an official source before travelling.

How far these are

Reachability is a second axis over the same places: the category says what a destination is, the band says how far it sits from Whanganui. Distances are measured in a straight line — this page publishes no travel times.

  • 4nearby
  • 7day-trip distance

What is out there

  • 5waterfalls
  • 3lakes
  • 3protected areas
  • 1forest
  • 1national park

11 places near Whanganui

Ordered by straight-line distance from Whanganui, closest first. Distance bands: nearby is up to 60 km, day-trip distance is up to 120 km.

Places near Whanganui

Showing all 11 places.

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Lake Virginia
    LakeNearby

    Lake Virginia

    Straight-line distance
    about 3 km (2 mi)
    Recorded type
    lake

    Lake Virginia is a lake reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Lake Virginia, about 3 km (2 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: David Thomsen / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Raukawa Falls
    WaterfallNearby

    Raukawa Falls

    Straight-line distance
    about 41 km (25 mi)
    Recorded type
    waterfall

    Raukawa Falls is a waterfall reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Raukawa Falls, about 41 km (25 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Whites Aviation / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Lake Rotorangi
    LakeDay-trip distance

    Lake Rotorangi

    Straight-line distance
    about 67 km (41 mi)
    Recorded type
    reservoir

    Lake Rotorangi is a reservoir reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Lake Rotorangi, about 67 km (41 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Phillip Capper / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Lake Rotokare
    LakeDay-trip distance

    Lake Rotokare

    Straight-line distance
    about 77 km (48 mi)
    Recorded type
    lake

    Lake Rotokare is a lake reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Lake Rotokare, about 77 km (48 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Pakaraki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Waitonga Falls
    WaterfallDay-trip distance

    Waitonga Falls

    Straight-line distance
    about 78 km (48 mi)
    Recorded type
    waterfall

    Waitonga Falls is a waterfall reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Waitonga Falls, about 78 km (48 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: ShakyIsles / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Mangawhero Falls
    WaterfallDay-trip distance

    Mangawhero Falls

    Straight-line distance
    about 78 km (49 mi)
    Recorded type
    waterfall

    Mangawhero Falls is a waterfall reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Mangawhero Falls, about 78 km (49 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Jeff Hitchcock / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Taranaki Falls
    WaterfallDay-trip distance

    Taranaki Falls

    Straight-line distance
    about 93 km (58 mi)
    Recorded type
    waterfall

    Taranaki Falls is a waterfall reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Taranaki Falls, about 93 km (58 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Verified Wikimedia Commons image of Tawhai Falls
    WaterfallDay-trip distance

    Tawhai Falls

    Straight-line distance
    about 93 km (58 mi)
    Recorded type
    waterfall

    Tawhai Falls is a waterfall reachable from Whanganui as a nearby nature destination. Research access, facilities, and seasonal conditions with official sources before visiting.

    View place Tawhai Falls, about 93 km (58 mi) from Whanganui

    Image credit: Image: Nick Bramhall / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0