Manawatu Gorge

The stretch of State Highway 3 that travels through the Manawatu Gorge has been closed for several months now due to ongoing slips that have forced the highway to close.  As a result we have been diverting our services that travel along this route via either the Saddle Road or via Pahiatua Track. Due to this the following services will be affected.

• Wellington/Palmerston North - Hastings/Napier and return
• Wellington/Palmerston North - Wairoa/Gisborne and return
• Palmerston North - Taupo/Tauranga/Auckland and return

The average delay is around 15-20 minutes and we have updated our timetables to reflect this average delay.  There are some occasions when delays are longer than this - please be aware that if these  delays occur we may need to shorten lunch breaks and other rest stops in order to make sure onward service connections.  Please be reassured that we always will do everything possible to make sure that any onward service connections are met. 

About the Manawatu Gorge
Known in Maori as Te Apiti or "Narrow Passage" the Manawatu Gorge follows the path of the Manawatu River between the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges of the North Island.  State Highway 3 was completed in 1872 and travels along the south side of the Gorge between the towns of Ashurst at its western end and Woodville at the eastern end.  This road is the primary link between the two sides of the lower North Island.