A small town a long way from the major centres, Taumarunui was a pleasant place to rest up before tackling the Timber Trail. That and Taumarunui being at the start of both the Forgotten Highway and Whanganui Journey has resulted in a relative tourist boom. The town of nearly 5,000 people grew off the back of transport on the river, then the railways, and more recently forestry and farming.
The best place to get your bearings is the Te Peka Lookout, which offers expansive views of the town below, and surrounding hilly landscape.
Taumarunui lies at the junction of the upper reaches of the Whanganui River and Taringamotu River. The lovely Cherry Grove Domain (Ngahuinga) lies at the point where they meet.
There are many heritage buildings in town, though most have seen better days. The Old Fire Station is now the Taumarunui Youth and Community Trust. The Taumarunui Racing Pigeon Club looked pretty closed with boarded up windows.
There is some pretty good street art on the side of buildings.
For a small place a lot of it has been set aside for greenery, with the expansive Taumarunui Domain in the middle of town.
To finish with the neighbouring Taumarunui First World War Memorial.
