exploring the iron gates experience

Rangiwahia and Apiti are the two most northern villages in Manawatu within The Iron Gates Experience.
Rangiwahia Village population is small and includes a hall, tennis courts, playground, public toilets, motorhome site and St Barnabas Anglican Church. 
The surrounding area is made up of mainly sheep, beef, deer & dairy farming as well as tourist attractions and accomodation.
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Apiti Village is known as the gateway to the Ruahine Ranges, an outdoor paradise. Once you drive through the village you are less than 30 minutes from entering the Ruahine State Forest with a wide range of tramping & huts. Apiti is home to a small population including a Tavern and eatery, school, hall and fire station. Its surrounding areas are similar to Rangiwahia including varied farming businesses and tourist ventures.
Click on the links below to see what you can explore around The Irongates Experience  from Mangaweka through to Rangiwahia, Apiti and finally Kimbolton.

​Click on map to enlarge & for further detail.........              

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​historic mangaweka bridge

The Mangaweka Bridge over the Rangitikei River divides the districts of Rangitikei and Manawatu. READ MORE.......

awastone & Mangaweka Riverside adventures

Awastone Riverside Haven, owned and run by the Eames family, is just north west of Mangaweka and on the northern end of the Manawatu Scenic Route. READ MORE.......

Ruahine Dress Circle

Tucked away on a side road off Ruahine Road in the northern Manawatu is an amazing picnic spot. READ MORE.......

Rangiwahia scenic reserve

This 130 acre (53 hectares) native virgin bush reserve is situated just south of Rangiwahia Village in northern Manawatu. 
​There are now two pest-control tracks that may be walked by the public. READ MORE.......

Kaikawaka Reserve

The Kaikawaka Scenic Reserve can be found south of Rangiwahia on Wairaki Street leading on from Miangaroa Road. READ MORE.......

rangiwahia village

Rangiwahia is the most northern village in the Manawatu and is about 25 minutes drive to its sister village Apiti. READ MORE.......

Rangiwahia hall, Services, & facilities 

The local Rangiwahia Hall and public toilets are easy to find in Rangiwahia village. The cemetery is situated on Miangoroa Street south west of the village. READ MORE.......

react

Based in the Butter factory of 1936, just south of Rangiwahia Village. READ MORE.......

pemberton corner

​Historic Pemberton Corner is the location of the original settlement of the Rangiwahia district northern Manawatu.  READ MORE.......

The White Cliff Boulders

Have you heard of or seen the Moeraki Boulders found on an Otago beach down in the South Island? READ MORE.......

ian mckean pinetum -picnic spot

Welcome to Ian McKean Pinetum - where you’ll discover the largest collection of conifers in the Southern Hemisphere. READ MORE.......

mangahuia wetlands

Mike Bourke’s Mangahuia Wetlands are situated near the north end of Main South Road - a great picnic spot. READ MORE........

​Apiti Golf Course

The Apiti Golf Club is 4km north of the Apiti township in the Oroua Valley against the Ruahine Ranges in Northern Manawatu.
​READ MORE........

​Apiti village

Apiti has become known as "the Gateway to the Ruahines" with many opportunities for tramping, hunting & horse trekking. READ MORE........

​apiti hall, services & facilities

Public toilets and the local Apiti hall are situated on Makoura Road within Apiti, & the cemetery  is situated on Ridge Road a few kilometers from Apiti village. READ MORE......

LImestone Creek & Glow Worm Caves

About 20 minutes drive north east of Apiti, you will find a loop-track bush walk, which passes through amazing limestone & glow worm caves. READ MORE........

table flat horse trekking

Table Flat Trekking is a high altitude ride with experienced horse handlers, including owner Sandie Warren. READ MORE.......

 sixtus lodge

Sixtus Lodge was established in 1977 on 6.5 hectares of magical landscape and bush out in the "whop whops". READ MORE......

creative woodwork

Woodwork artist, Errol McKay has recently passed away. However his partner, Felicity, continues to run the outlet shop in Apiti. 
​READ MORE.......

eric brew

Eric Brew is a long time artist, now living in Apiti in the northern Manawatu with his Labrador. READ MORE.......

Apiti lavender farm

Has closed 

Makoura lodge adventures

A luxury Country Lodge and Rural Retreat. It is here that you will enjoy a relaxed, stunning venue with wholesome country meals and welcoming hospitality. READ MORE......

scenic helicopter tours

See the Iron Gates Experience from the air using Rangitikei Helicopters.  Read more ........

altitude fly fishing adventures

Characterised by the beautiful but extremely rugged Ruahine Range, the northern Manawatu region has a myriad of fine trout waters on offer to explore. READ MORE.......

crosshills gardens & nursery

The Wilson family have created a 7 hectare (17 acres) world renowned park a few kilometers north of Kimbolton Village in Manawatu.
READ MORE.......

bird watching

Bird life is abundant in the Iron Gates experience - some would say it is a photographers dream, thats if actually get to see them!
READ MORE.......

Remember KEEP NORTHERN MANAWATU BEAUTIFUL!
​ Beautiful natural spaces can be explored and enjoyed by visitors around northern Manawatu.
However, facilities are not always provided at these places.
Unless signage indicates otherwise -
 !      ​Strictly no camping, tenting or freedom camping
 !   Strictly no fires
 !   Take away all rubbish. Leave only your footprints.
Toilet facilities available in Rangiwahia, Apiti and Kimbolton.​
​Motorhome and camping sites available in Rangiwahia, Apiti Tavern & Eatery and Kimbolton Hotel