Palmerston Historic Walk

This begins outside the Athenaeum Building that was commissioned on 30 October 1876 by an Act of Parliament. The original purpose for the building was for a Mechanics Institute/ Public Library for Palmerston. Across the road is the Zealandia Statue – a memoriam to those from Palmerston who lost their lives during the Boer War. Head North along Ronaldsay St, past the skate park and up the hill to the corner of Ronaldsay and Stour Sts. You will see the Anzac Memorial Arch.

Turn left onto Stour St walking past the primary and high schools. Across the road by the pedestrian crossing, you will find the last remaining rail signal from the beginning of the old rail line to Dunback.

If you would like some rural views, continue along Stour St until Burraness St and turn left for mostly unimpeded views of the hills surrounding the township.

Continue until you reach Tiverton St and turn left. Three blocks along, look for a yellow/white cottage on the right-hand side of the road . Now a family home, the cottage was one of the original stopping places for the stagecoaches in the 1800’s.

Continue on Tiverton until just after the corner of Brough and Tiverton Sts where you’ll find the majestic Presbyterian Church, still very much in use . Turn right off Tiverton onto Stromness St and you will also pass the beautiful Anglican Church. Admire the stained glass windows of the Presbyterian Church and one of the Anglican Church windows which is a representation of Puketapu.

Now onwards and left onto Gilligan St, where you’ll quickly find the Palmerston Recreation Reserve – this is the place for the kids to let off steam, used for all sorts of pursuits and great for a picnic too.

Further down Gilligan St, turn left onto Stronsa St, right back on to Tiverton St and head down the hill toward the main road. As you near the bottom and walk past the pedestrian crossing cross the road toward the hairdressers, beside which you’ll find the former Palmerston Town Hall. The town hall was designed by architect Edward Anscombe who also designed Saint Pauls Cathedral in Dunedin. 

Turn around and go back via the main road.