Palmy not so Fawlty

John Cleese famously said “if you wish to kill yourself but don’t have the courage to, I think a visit to Palmerston North will do the trick.” Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay hit back by saying “obviously he still has trouble with his medical problems and may need some more medication.”

The only way to discover who’s right is to visit Palmerston North yourself. The city is nestled in a prime position by the towering Tararua and Ruahine Ranges and the mighty Manawatu River. A visit here will surely deliver your type of holiday; be it a quiet and relaxing break away or a non-stop weekend. In “Palmy” you’ll be treated to everything from luxurious farmstays, enchanting gardensPal and secluded bush walks to sophisticated shopping, restaurants and captivating cultural attractions.

The Square, a picturesque central park, is the hub of the city. Bordering The Square and its outer streets are fantastic shops (particularly women’s clothing stores) and The Plaza shopping centre, which hosts more than 50 shops, plus a revamped food court. Broadway is another popular shopping destination, and boutique outlets can be found along elegant George Street.

Palmy’s pride and joy, the Victoria Esplanade, is a great place to while away an afternoon. It’s home to the Dugald McKenzie Rose Gardens, which have been voted one of the top five rose gardens in the world. Another must-see attraction is the New Zealand Rugby Museum on Cuba St. Housing treasured rugby memorabilia like a match programme from 1893 and even the actual whistles used to kick off the first game of every Rugby World Cup. Just around the corner is Te Manawa, a museum, art gallery and science centre with a range of mind-blowing interactive exhibits.

Getting around town is easy – either hop on a bus or the more energetic can opt for a green bike (these are free to use and can be picked up from depots at Massey University, UCOL or the Green Bike Trust in Waldegrave St; simply pick one up, ride it to your destination and leave it for the next person to collect).

If you have your own vehicle, be sure to visit The Herb Farm in Ashhurst about a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Here you can learn about the therapeutic properties of everyday herbs and how they are transformed into healing, aromatherapy and beauty products. There’s also an on-site store and a delectable country café set amongst lovely gardens. Afterwards why not head up the road to the award-winning Pohangina Valley Estate winery? The vineyard produces superb Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, and is open for tasting and sales on Saturdays or Sundays.

Palmerston North certainly puts on a show in the evenings, with many restaurants (choose from fine dining, top-notch ethnic cuisine or relaxed casual fare) and bars (Irish pubs, suave cocktail lounges and contemporary bars abound). Most of these establishments are dotted around or near The Square, where the 20-somethings converge after 11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Alternatively, a great cappuccino can always be found at one of the chic George Street cafes, or enjoy a show at the beautifully restored Regent on Broadway theatre.

Perhaps John Cleese should visit Palmerston North again (after he’s taken his medication, of course), if not to experience all of the attractions the city has to offer, but to pay a visit to Mt Cleese, the landfill Palmy-born entertainer Fred Dagg and the Palmerston North City Council named in his honour.

Editorial courtesy of Rebecca Turner from AA Tourism
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