The Royal Wanganui Opera House

In the early 20th century, theatre was the main form of public entertainment. Whanganui’s strikingly grand Royal Opera House was built in 1899 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s reign and has survived three fires. The Category 1 Heritage listed building is renowned for its acoustics and its architecture and is New Zealand’s last Victorian theatre and the only one to have been awarded a Royal Charter.

69 St Hill Street. (06) 349 0511, royaloperahouse.co.nz