Rachel’s guidebook
Neighbourhoods
The small coastal community at Himatangi has a population of about 600 which increases in the summer when visitors arrive to enjoy the long, sandy beaches and the coastal climate (more sunshine, less rain and higher temperatures). Vehicle access is permitted along the beach, so if you prefer a quieter beach to stroll along, visit during the week when the locals are away.
The coastline was once a seasonal gathering place for local Māori who caught fish and shellfish there. Leaving the shells in piles called middens, they inadvertently created an archeological record of what the area once looked like. The oldest known middens can be found near a series of lagoons 4 kilometres inland, indicating where the beach line was 500 years ago.
The sand dunes of Himatangi beach are the largest in New Zealand at approximately 20 kilometres wide and they are getting wider due to strong currents and westerly winds driving the sand seawards (to the west). Once stabilised by native grasses and vegetation, these disappeared when the early settlers began to graze them in the 1850s and the sand still causes problems for buildings today.
Activities for you to enjoy Himatangi Beach include:
Hiking, walking, strolling or sleeping
Fishing and whitebaiting (in the whitebaiting stream)
Surfing and swimming
11 Einheimische empfehlen
Himatangi Beach
The small coastal community at Himatangi has a population of about 600 which increases in the summer when visitors arrive to enjoy the long, sandy beaches and the coastal climate (more sunshine, less rain and higher temperatures). Vehicle access is permitted along the beach, so if you prefer a quieter beach to stroll along, visit during the week when the locals are away.
The coastline was once a seasonal gathering place for local Māori who caught fish and shellfish there. Leaving the shells in piles called middens, they inadvertently created an archeological record of what the area once looked like. The oldest known middens can be found near a series of lagoons 4 kilometres inland, indicating where the beach line was 500 years ago.
The sand dunes of Himatangi beach are the largest in New Zealand at approximately 20 kilometres wide and they are getting wider due to strong currents and westerly winds driving the sand seawards (to the west). Once stabilised by native grasses and vegetation, these disappeared when the early settlers began to graze them in the 1850s and the sand still causes problems for buildings today.
Activities for you to enjoy Himatangi Beach include:
Hiking, walking, strolling or sleeping
Fishing and whitebaiting (in the whitebaiting stream)
Surfing and swimming
Sightseeing
This full size operating windmill is an exact replica of a 17th century Dutch flour mill. The de Molen Dutch windmill is open to the public 7 days a week between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm allowing visitors to experience a little of the Netherlands. Tours of the upper levels and working parts of the mill are conducted. The gift shop sells a range of flour, imported Dutch cakes, biscuit and sweets.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
De Molen (windmill) Foxton
96a Main StThis full size operating windmill is an exact replica of a 17th century Dutch flour mill. The de Molen Dutch windmill is open to the public 7 days a week between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm allowing visitors to experience a little of the Netherlands. Tours of the upper levels and working parts of the mill are conducted. The gift shop sells a range of flour, imported Dutch cakes, biscuit and sweets.
City/town information
Palmerston North is a city on New Zealand's North Island. In the centre, the New Zealand Rugby Museum displays sporting memorabilia, including vintage All Blacks uniforms. Next door is the Te Manawa art, science and history museum. Adjacent to the Manawatu River, Victoria Esplanade is a sprawling park with a duck pond and rose gardens. Just outside the city is Manawatu Gorge, with forested hills and native bushland.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is a city on New Zealand's North Island. In the centre, the New Zealand Rugby Museum displays sporting memorabilia, including vintage All Blacks uniforms. Next door is the Te Manawa art, science and history museum. Adjacent to the Manawatu River, Victoria Esplanade is a sprawling park with a duck pond and rose gardens. Just outside the city is Manawatu Gorge, with forested hills and native bushland.