Hunting and Fishing

The Whanganui region is characterised by its steep, extremely hilly terrain, deeply incised rivers and very extensive tracks of lowland forest – great for hunting and fishing.

There is over 166,000 ha of Public Conservation Land within this region, including Whanganui National Park and the Waitotara Conservation Area. The region provides many excellent hunting opportunities, whether your quarry be fallow deer, red deer, pigs or goats.

For the fisherman, the West Coast of the Lower North Island of New Zealand boasts one of the best sea fishing spots in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hunting

Fairmead Hunting Lodge

Fairmead Hunting Lodge offers personalised professional guided hunting for fallow deer, trophy bucks and other game animals on a safe and fenced game park in rural Kai Iwi. From one, two day or extended hunting trips, Fairmead Hunting Lodge offers a fun guided weekend away for the lone hunter, a small party or family group. Accommodation is available in either the homestead or in the old-style Totara Ridge Hut. Fairmead is 24kms (30 mins) drive from the main road turn-off at Kai Iwi near Whanganui.

Plan your visit

Wanganui Safaris NZ

Wanganui Safaris is set in New Zealand’s spectacular, remote Whanganui River Valley. Surrounded by 250,000 acres of lush forest and breathtaking views of the Ruapehu volcano, Wanganui Safaris provides the free range hunt of a lifetime. By day you will hunt big Red Stags, Sika, Fallow, Arapawa sheep, goats and/or boar. By night you will enjoy gourmet meals, New Zealand wines, and superb lodge accommodations surrounded by this amazing natural setting.

Plan your visit

Fishing

Sea Fishing

For the avid fisherman, the magnificent Whanganui coast offers a myriad of choices. Surf casting for snapper, cod and kahawai is available at all of our beaches, with Castlecliff’s North Mole an especially popular spot. Sea fishing either one a fishing charter or your own boat offers a greater range including groper, snapper, terakihi, blue cod and squid.

Find out more about sea fishing in Whanganui

Freshwater Fishing

The headwaters of Whanganui River and its tributaries provide a wide variety of top quality fishing for brown and rainbow trout. Sea run brown trout can be caught within city limits, but the fishing gets better the further upstream you travel. Nearby Lakes Wiritoa, Kohata and Pauri are all managed fisheries.

Learn more about Whanganui fisheries

Where to stay in Whanganui

For a quick overview of what’s available and to book online, use our Booking.com accommodation widget.

For expert local advice or further help on your stay, contact our Whanganui isite visitor centre or browse our guides on Where to stay.

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