Ride from Upokongaro to the Tasman Sea â where the awa meets the moana
Let your wheels carry you on one of the most scenic, culturally rich, and artistically expressive sections of the Mountains to Sea â NgÄ Ara TĹŤhono Great Ride. This 19km journey from Upokongaro to Castlecliff takes you through the heart of Whanganui â Aotearoaâs only UNESCO City of Design.
Itâs more than just a ride â itâs a moving encounter with public art, living heritage, creative spirit, and the enduring mana of Te Awa Tupua.
đ A Bridge of Connection
Start your journey at the Upokongaro Bridge, opened in 2020. With its graceful form spanning the Whanganui River, it has become an icon of community connection. More than just a practical link, the bridge brought together Aramoho and Upokongaro, making everyday journeys safer and weaving the communities more tightly together.
Pause here. Look down at the flowing water. Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au â I am the river, and the river is me. Itâs not just a whakataukÄŤ â itâs a living truth.
đ´ââď¸Pedalling Through the Past
Whanganui has a rich cycling heritage. As far back as the 1870s, locals were racing and commuting on "boneshaker" bicycles. The city was once home to one of New Zealandâs earliest velodromes, and it remains a cycling hub today. Youâll roll past Cooks Gardens, where Peter Snell set a world mile record, and past an outdoor velodrome built in 1995, echoing that historic sporting legacy.
Today, Whanganui proudly welcomes modern adventurers: from local commuters and families to long-haul legends tackling the Tour Aotearoa or exploring the city by e-bike. It's a place where cycling is both a pastime and a pathway through heritage and creativity.
đźď¸ A Living Gallery: Mountains to Sea & More
As the trail enters the city, the path becomes a living gallery.
One of the standout features is the Mountains to Sea sculpture â a collaboration between Mikel Durel Browne, Kerry McDonnell, and Max Cody. This captivating piece symbolises the journey from KÄhui Maunga (mountain source) to Tangaroa (the sea), mirroring the trailâs purpose: a journey of reconnection through story, landscape, and movement.
Detour slightly uphill and youâll discover Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui, recently reopened in 2024. One of New Zealandâs oldest regional galleries, it anchors Whanganuiâs UNESCO City of Design identity with exhibitions that celebrate contemporary art, MÄori narratives, and the cityâs deep creative legacy. Alongside the Gallery in Pukenamu Queens Park and youâll find a view like no other: to the northeast stands Mt Ruapehu, the journeyâs origin; below flows the Whanganui River, winding through city and bush; and to the west, the Tasman Sea stretches beyond the river mouth. From this one spot, you see the entire Mountains to Sea story unfold â a rare moment of connection between mountain, awa, and moana.
đ What Does it Mean to Be a UNESCO City of Design?
Whanganui was named New Zealandâs first (and only) UNESCO City of Design in 2021, joining an international network that recognises cities where design and creativity shape everyday life.
Design here isnât just about aesthetics â itâs about people and place. From public art to accessible cycling infrastructure, from heritage architecture to story-driven placemaking, Whanganui shows how design can connect past and future, form and function, beauty and purpose.
This cycle trail reflects that ethos:
It flows along the riverâs natural path.
It integrates artworks, cultural landmarks, and green spaces.
Itâs welcoming, family-friendly, and sustainably planned.
And it invites people to slow down, connect, and reflect.
â Culture and Creativity on Every Corner
Donât rush. This trail invites you to pause and explore:
Detour up Drews Ave for bohemian coffee and galleries.
Browse the Whanganui River Markets on Saturdays.
Pop into the isite for trail info and bike tools.
Even the industrial zones here have artistic soul â where manufacturing, sculpture, and storytelling intersect.
Ride past Q-West boatbuilders and the brick train sculpture â local design in action.
đ Where the Awa Meets the Moana
Finally, youâll reach Castlecliff Beach and the Tasman Sea. Here, the awa completes its journey, flowing from KÄhui Maunga to Tangaroa. Stand on the black sands beside the North Mole, a breakwater protecting the harbour and guiding vessels home.
This is a moment to breathe in the salt air, gaze back toward Mt Ruapehu on a clear day, and reflect on your own journey â one thatâs physical, cultural, and deeply personal.
