Victoria Esplanade Gardens Palmerston North
Running 19 hectares along the Manawatu River at Palmerston North’s southern entrance, the Esplanade is a striking city gateway offering a wealth of recreation and leisure pursuits.
From the splendour of lofty trees, the lush elegance of ferns, to the glory of abundant blooms in the Dugald Mackenzie Rose Garden, Palmerston North Victoria Esplanade offers year-round delight.
Named to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60th Jubilee, the Palmerston North Esplanade is a walker’s paradise offering a variety of settings for exercise or leisure, mingled with playgrounds, a paddling pool, a miniature railway, beautiful garden beds and magnificent trees.
Family Fun
Palmerston North’s most extensive playground, the Esplanade is the place to play. There are all the old favourites – swings, slides, trampolines and climbing frames. Kids will also love the mouse wheels, whisper dishes fireman’s pole, jump pit, three-story house and flying fox. The paddling pool (Open October through April) was gifted to Palmerston North City by the RSA in the late 1930’s.
The miniature railway winds through native bush and past the historic Victoria House (Palmerston North’s former post office) and operates between 1.00pm and 4.00pm weekends, and public and school holidays.
A Gardener’s Delight
The Palmerston North Victoria Esplanade is home to a profusion of flora. This five hectares of native bush is home to rare and endangered plant species and to a wealth of animals and birds, including bellbirds, falcons, grey warblers, morepork, shining cuckoos, tui and wood pigeons.
Flower beds provide year round colour. Annual beds are replenished twice yearly and extensive plantings of perennials and bulbs throughout the more established gardens provide seasonal interest. The Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden is home to over 5000 plants and 100 rose varieties. Surround yourself with the scent and colour of roses in full bloom voted one of the top five rose gardens in the world.
Walkers Wonderland
From native bush and established gardens, to the calm riverside walkway, the Palmerston North Esplanade’s walkways offer a variety of settings for exercise or leisure. The walkways are clearly signposted indicating both directions and distances.
If you’re after a serious exercise session, you can access the 9 kilometre riverside walk from the Esplanade. The Esplanade comprises 3 kilometres of this walkway and then it heads out along the Manawatu river tracks.
If you prefer a sociable stroll through natural environment try the 45 minute Forest and Bird Nature Trail through the Esplanade’s bush. Signs posted pinpoint highlights.
Cafe Esplanade
Set amongst Palmerston North’s premier park, Cafe Esplanade delivers great food and drinks seven days a week, with seating available inside its historic Victoria House or outside amongst the picturesque Esplanade gardens.
Great for families with many activities to keep everyone occupied. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. Full ice cream parlour plus fully licensed with a great selection of wines and beers. Cafe Esplanade is also available for private evening functions.
Harringtons Motor Lodge Palmerston North Motel is directly opposite the Victoria Esplanade gardens, walkways and Cafe.
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