racetrack
Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon
A New Zealand circuit near Feilding renamed for Formula One driver Chris Amon, running since 1973 and a fixture of the Toyota Racing Series that launched several F1 careers.
14 km · about 25 min drive
OceaniaNew ZealandManawatu-Wanganui
Palmerston North
Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand · Oceania
About Palmerston North
Palmerston North is worth a stop: 14km from Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon.
Palmerston North is in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand, with about 91,000 people. You drive on the left here.
Palmerston North (; Māori: Te Papa-i-Oea, colloquially known as Palmerston or Palmy) is a city in the North Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Located in the eastern Manawatū Plains, the city is near the north bank of the Manawatū River, 35 km (22 mi) from the river's mouth, and 12 kmRead more
(7 mi) from the end of the Manawatū Gorge, about 140 km (87 mi) north of the capital, Wellington. Palmerston North is the country's eighth-largest urban area, with an urban population of 81,200 (June 2025). The estimated population of Palmerston North city is 90,500 (June 2025).
The official limits of the city take in rural areas to the south, north-east, north-west and west of the main urban area, extending to the Tararua Ranges and including the town of Ashhurst at the mouth of the Manawatū Gorge and the villages of Bunnythorpe and Longburn in the north and west, respectively. The city covers a land area of 395 square kilometres (98,000 acres).
The city's location was once little more than a clearing in a forest and occupied by small communities of Māori, who called it Papa-i-Oea, believed to mean "How beautiful it is". In the mid-19th century, it was settled by Europeans—originally by Scandinavians and, later, British settlers. On foundation, the British settlement was bestowed the name Palmerston, in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former British Prime Minister. The suffix North was added in 1871 to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island. Today, the name is often informally shortened to "Palmy".
Early Palmerston North relied on public works and sawmilling. The west coast railway was built in 1886, linking the town to Wellington, and Palmerston North benefited from a booming pastoral farming industry. Since the early 20th century, Linton Military Camp, Palmerston North Hospital, and the establishment of Massey University (in 1927) have reduced the dependence on farming due to an increase in skilled workers. Popular attractions include Te Manawa (a museum and art gallery that includes the New Zealand Rugby Museum), and several performing arts venues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Palmerston North?
Within an hour or so of Palmerston North: Manfeild: Circuit Chris Amon (14 km).
Are there any good drives near Palmerston North?
The nearest famous roads are Desert Road.
Where is Palmerston North?
Palmerston North is in Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 90,500
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Manawatu-Wanganui
- Timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Coordinates
- -40.3564, 175.6111
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New ZealandTags
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1 notable place within an hour's drive.
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