Victoria Esplanade

This local favourite is a beautiful and extensive inner city park adjacent to the Manawatu River, which was opened to mark Queen Victoria's 60th Jubilee.

Victoria Esplanade comprises of 19 hectares of stunning gardens and features, including bird aviaries, nature trails with a number of walks, a junior road safety bike park, a large duck pond, free barbeque facilities and children’s paddling pool and playgrounds. The onsite café offers tasty treats, ice-cream and drinks, while an extensive miniature railway offers rides on weekends and holidays for a small fee. Within the esplanade is the Dugald McKenzie rose garden, which is home to over 5,500 varieties and incorporates the International Rose Trial Grounds.

You can access this park from Manawaroa Street, which is off Fitzherbert Ave, as well as from Park Road, next to the Lido Aquatic Centre. Open all year from dawn to dusk.