Although
there are extensive coastal
plains, the countryside
becomes increasing hilly
towards the north. Sheep
farming and cattle raising
are important activities,
along with cropping on
the lowlands.
In
the Rangitikei River Valley
and surrounding hill country,
bed and breakfasts and
farmstays are a specialty,
with many old homesteads
having magnificent gardens.
The largest of the villages
and towns along the road
to Mt Ruapehu and the
central plateau is Taihape.
It is renowned as the
"gumboot capital",
where every year a festival
is held to celebrate this
essential item of rural
Kiwi footwear. The river
supports an excellent
trout fishery and there's
also bungy jumping, white
water and scenic rafting.
Don't
Miss
Tokomaru
Steam Museum, Palmerston
North
Manawatu/Rangitikei garden
tours
Public gardens, Palmerston
North
Country garden tours
Happy
Customer Letters
