Just north of Whanganui a rural road branches off the main highway to follow the river valley towards Whanganui National Park. It is a historic route that takes you through an area first settled by Maori then subsequently discovered by the white pilgrims who established remote communes along the river. Along the way it passes an interesting mix of well-preserved traditional Marae (meeting houses) and Pa (fortified sites) alongside weatherboard churches and colonial houses.

It’s 79 kilometres from Wanganui to Pipiriki, the gateway to the National Park and where the road effectively ends. Not a great distance, however, it’s a beautifully slow and scenic road, the kind where you will inevitably get held up by a meandering sheep or a lovely view, therefore ensure you set a day aside for the journey and take a packed lunch!