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 A pleasant place to visit and to break a journey to
or from Wellington, Palmerston North is rarely deemed a tourist
destination but is a place offering a friendly, young, relaxed
atmosphere of a rural university town. Massey University, the
second largest in the country, makes Palmerston North a popular
destination for kiwi scholars to migrate to during term time and
leaving it a little quiet during vacations!
There are however many hidden treasures in this area including
luxurious country retreats, award-winning gardens, uncrowded
championship golf courses, antique and country craft fossicking,
special interest museums, galleries, historical homes, and a host
of adventures for adrenalin junkies. And throughout the year this
lively region hosts many major national and international events - sporting, cultural, trade shows, conferences and
exhibitions. There has to be something here that tickles your
fancy!
 For avid rugby fans, a ‘must see’
would have to be the New Zealand Rugby Museum located in Cuba
Street near the main city square. With the history of the game
immortalised in pictures, mementos and videos, this fascinating
collection includes memorabilia from all over the world and from
New Zealand itself dating back to the first game played in 1870.  Not too far from here, the Science Centre
and Manawatu Museum has a mix of interactive science exhibitions,
which explore science and technology, the stories of Manawatu and
its people, and art from New Zealand and around the world. It
also holds events, talks, performances and workshops to bring its
subjects alive. Around the corner you will find the spacious and
modern Manawatu Art Gallery.
About 35 minutes west of the city, the Ohakea Museum is dedicated
to the exploits of the very small New Zealand Air Force. Situated
at the air base that dominates this sleepy town, a café allows a
great vantage point from which to watch aging military aircraft
come and go. And to top that, (!) the Tokomaru Steam Engine
Museum (about 20kms south of Palmerston North) exhibits a large
collection of working steam engines and locomotives - the
Manawatu is definitely a place for the boys! (Continue...)
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