Around the perimeter are historic buildings, bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, the library, museums, and art galleries. Te Manawa, a museum, gallery and science centreignites the imagination and the New Zealand Rugby Museum contains the countries biggest collection of rugby memorabilia. A little further out of town Daytona, New Zealand’s fastest indoor Go-Karts continues to thrill
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Residents of Palmerston North also enjoy an abundance of parks and scenic walks. Of particular note, Victoria Esplanade Gardens on Fitzherbert Avenue contains nineteen hectares of gardens featuring an international rose garden, aviaries, a nature trail, a fernery, conservatory, walkways, a mini railway, a children’s playground, paddling pool, café and free electric barbecues.
Ninety minutes drive from Palmerston North is Tongariro, the first national park in New Zealand. Outstanding volcanic features and the park's important Maori cultural and spiritual associations have given it a dual World Heritage status. The park is also home to Mount Ruapehu, which boasts two commercial ski fields, Whakapapa on the northern side and Turoa on the southern one.
