Guide12 hours Whanganui

A must-visit in Whanganui for breakfast, Mischief Café has been a hot favourite in the town for many years. ‘Bene true story’ is an easy choice, arriving on a potato rosti the meal is one of four gluten free options on the chalkboard menu. Vegans are looked after here too with the ‘vegomania’ an epic mix of spinach, pumpkin, beets, hummus and cashew nut salsa. Take your pick from all the usuals on the hot drink menu (they use Karamu coffee), or mix it up with Good Buzz kombucha and Allganics juices in the fridge.

Mid-morning means time for a wander round, and lucky for wanderers Whanganui streets hold some top-market galleries worth checking out. The ethos at Space Gallery is on supporting up-and-coming artists alongside those who have been in the trade a bit longer, and frequent group shows mean there’s always an eclectic mix of things to look at and marvel over.

Right next door you’ll find yourself in a thrift shop haven, where every nook and cranny is taken up by some sort of knick knack from days gone past. In classic antique store fashion that somehow doubles the charm of the place, there’s a sense of ordered chaos, and it's lucky you’ve got time to spare because it could be hours before you can truthfully say you’ve looked at everything.

Nicknamed the ‘teapot man’ because of his quirky takes on the tea pouring device, there’s no denying Rick Rudd lives and breathes ceramic art and is highly regarded for his strength of skill in the practice throughout New Zealand. Here you can find him at work in his very own studio, surrounded by the colour and curiosity that is some of New Zealand’s best ceramic art.

It’s important to remember lunch is a very essential part of the day, and what better excuse to drive a little out of town than to visit The Citadel, a playful, bright and welcoming café and restaurant that serves up the best burgers and loaded fries out this way. The place feels fresh, clean, young and full of good vibes, and an epic kid’s playground in the outdoor area means even small humans will grow to love this place.

Just across the street you’ll find community spirit in full force. Vostinar Gallery is a beautiful display of one man’s love of shape and form, where (a painter as well as a ceramic artist) Ivan Vostinar has filled his bright, airy space with collections from years of hard work, and if things look a little familiar, that’s because you’ve probably just had your coffee at The Citadel out of one of his handmade mugs.

Just 10 minutes drive up the road from Vostinar Gallery you can find yourself lost in a little bit of green paradise known as the Bason Botanic Gardens, where since 1966, visitors have come to kick a ball, read a book, have a picnic and simply enjoy the quiet beauty of Whanganui’s much loved leafy gem.

When you’re ready to be wowed by more Whanganui art prowess, you best get along to New Zealand Glassworks where, if you’re lucky, you’ll see glass being cooked into beautiful shapes and forms. The Glassworks also offers workshops, so if you’re the kind of person that loves to get involved and perhaps learn a new trick or two, then the quality classes are the thing for you. Ask about their beginner classes or one on one sessions.

Another gallery well worth its salt in this creative town is Sargeant Gallery, so named after early colonial Henry Sarjeant who thought it very important that Whanganui have its own place to house significant artworks. And he really was on to a good thing, with nearly 8,000 works in its collection, spanning four centuries, this gallery is a hot spot for tourists and locals alike for either free or koha entry.

After all that gazing at artwork, you’ll be ready for a sit down and a meal, but don’t count on it being a quiet one at Lucky Bar and Kitchen, because this place sure loves a bit of music served alongside its steak and polenta chips. From country to rock to DJ sets, it doesn’t seem to matter what genre the music is, simply that it’s live and bringing people together for a good time.

Come the start of the weekend, you can find over 100 stalls and as many cheerful stallholders who arrive every Saturday at the crack of dawn to set up shop and display their bestest brightest produce or wares at the River Traders Market. Cheery buskers keep spirits high while you wander the aisles, with everything from paintings to pizza for sale.

If the market alone is not enough to tempt you into staying the weekend in Whanganui, then allow Article to do that for you instead. Housed in the building that was previously home to The Whanganui Chronicle, nowadays it’s a café, gallery and shop where you can pick up a piece of vintage clothing or new artwork whilst waiting on your mochachino.