Held every Friday, the Feilding Farmers’ Market has been going strong for 13 years. Cruise on down to the Clock Tower and you’ll quickly see why this market has won Farmers’ Market of the Year a total of three times! Every Friday morning, Manchester Square is a hive of activity with locals and visitors alike browsing the artisan stalls that showcase the best of Manawatū’s growers and producers. Stock up your pantry and fridge with delicious cheeses, fresh baked goods, meats, vegetables, olive oils, fresh flowers, coffee and plenty more surprises to be found. This foodie haven is renowned for its welcoming and friendly atmosphere – and yes, free samples are always on offer.
Open Friday 8:30am – 1pm.
Established in 1969, the Feilding and District Art Society is a group of over 150 local artists, working together to enrich the community through visual arts. Hosting art workshops and exhibitions as well as a shop filled with unique art objects by local creators.
Smack bang in the heart of town, Murray’s is popular with crowds young and old. Ask any local and they’ll rave about the $10 lunch menu, traditional Irish décor, and live music on a Friday to kickstart the weekend. Join the crowds for lunch on a Friday, following the famous-in-Feilding livestock sales, or for dinner and drinks any night of the week.
Open Tuesday – Sunday.
Five op shops all within a five minute walk of one another? Your wardrobe won’t know what’s hit it. Uncover hidden gems and support local charities with one-of-a-kind vintage items and pre-loved pieces that you’ll fall in love with. Get inspired and stock up on tips and tricks from local op shopping guru Megan Gowan (@opshop_diaries) with our Manawatū op shopping guide – then it’s time to get thrifty!
330 sheep pens and 15,000 sheep sold weekly – the Feilding Saleyards are the talk of the town every Friday. With the largest livestock saleyard in the Southern Hemisphere, once a week the otherwise-quiet town turns into a hub of activity with farmers and livestock agents descending on the Feilding Saleyards to buy and sell livestock. It’s a small-town spectacle that provides a fascinating window into the rural Manawatū lifestyle. Sign up for a guided saleyard tour run by knowledgeable local farmers to get the full Saleyards experience.
Saleyard tours operate every Friday from 11am.
Right in the middle of town, The Strong Room is a favourite amongst the locals and attracts a busy Friday night crowd. Located in a converted bank – complete with original vaults, you can rely on an extensive selection of beer and wines to suit the occasion. Pop on down for a quiet drink or stay for a while for lunch, dinner or tapas.. Their big tables are perfect for larger groups, or reserve one of the two bank vaults for a truly unique private dining experience.
Open Tuesday to Sunday.
In Feilding, a trip to the movies is a wee bit luxurious – with Focal Point Cinema and Wine Bar offering a fine dining menu and wine selection to accompany your film. Whether you’re a blockbuster or boutique fan, there’s a screening to suit every taste. From a daytime session to a date night flick, pair your movie with a coffee or a chardonnay and something from the full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu to complete the cinema experience.
Open seven days.
Take a trip down memory lane, through the golden days of Manawatū’s 140 year-rural history, at the historic Coach House Museum. ge. Join a tour with one of the knowledgeable volunteer guides, as they showcase the largest original John Deere collection in New Zealand, the biggest display of horse drawn vehicles and the only 1912 Burford Lorry in the world! There’s always a new reason to visit with the museum’s regularly-changing pop-up exhibitions and charming gift shop.
Open seven days.