On the southwestern edge of Manawatu Gorge, about 40-minutes' drive from Palmerston North, is the Tararua Wind Farm, allegedly the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere. It's on private land, but it's worth the drive up the winding, unsealed road for the views and to feel your car shake in the wind – even if you can't go past the 'private property' gate at the top.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Te Āpiti Wind Farm

2.96 MILES

Spinning north of Manawatu Gorge is Te Āpiti Wind Farm. The 55 turbines create enough power for around 39,000 New Zealand homes each year. It's on private…

2. The Square

9.33 MILES

Taking the English village green concept to a whole new level, The Square is Palmy’s heart and soul. Its Māori name, Te Marae o Hine, was chosen to…

3. Te Manawa

9.51 MILES

Te Manawa merges a museum and art gallery into one experience, with vast collections joining the dots between art, science and history. The museum has a…

4. New Zealand Rugby Museum

9.53 MILES

Fans of the oval ball holler about the New Zealand Rugby Museum, an amazing space overflowing with rugby paraphernalia, from a 1905 All Blacks jumper to a…

5. He Ara Kotahi Bridge

9.74 MILES

Palmerston's North's iconic new landmark is this elegant 194m-long bridge over the Manawatu River – a critical link in a 9km network of cycling and…

6. Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre

27.86 MILES

About 30km north of Masterton, this 10-sq-km centre is one of NZ's most successful wildlife and captive breeding centres. The scenic two-hour Te Arapiki o…