Ask a local where to take visitors in Whanganui and Rotokawau Virginia Lake comes up fast. Just a few minutes from the city centre on St John’s Hill, this spring-fed lake and its surrounding reserve have been a favourite gathering spot for well over a century.
The name tells part of the story: Rotokawau honours the kawau (shag) that still visit to feed, and the council formally adopted the dual Māori-English name in 2016. Before that, from 1874, the lake briefly served as the town’s drinking water supply — the quality turned out too poor, and a 1903 pumphouse was built as backup before the whole scheme was abandoned.
These days it’s all about slowing down. A gentle 25-minute woodland walk loops the full lake, crossing twin bridges and passing under rose and wisteria pergolas that are glorious in summer. Keep an eye out for pūkeko stalking the grass and the free-flight aviary near the Winter Gardens, an Art Deco conservatory (free entry, 9am–5pm daily) that’s worth a wander on its own.
Along the way you’ll pass some real local landmarks: the Higginbottom Fountain, a colour-changing copper lily installed in 1971 (drop a gold coin in for the evening light show), the Tainui statue by Joan Morrell, a much-loved Peter Pan statue in place since 1967, and the waka maumahara memorial canoe honouring the late Pura McGregor, unveiled in 2020.
Bring a picnic — there are tables, barbecues and a fenced playground for kids — or grab something from the Funky Duck Café by the lake. Park at Babbage Place (room for campervans too), and note dogs aren’t permitted in the reserve.
Photos: Michal Klajban and Spil030, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
