Transport yourself to another world: from lush greenery and spectacular beaches to the cone of Mount Taranaki. Travel the Forgotten World Highway and discover authentic New Zealand rural life.
The Whanganui River offers access to secluded and secret parts of the country. Palmerston North is a vibrant urban centre in a region of forest and farmland.
Taranaki
Tentry Hill – this small boutique fruit winery is situated just outside the village of Lepperton, and was established in 1986. It has since won approval from wine enthusiasts throughout New Zealand, and has clinched the highest awards from the fruit wine industry. These include gold and silver medals, and the ‘best red fruit wine’ award for its Garrison Red Medium and Garrison Red Dry boysenberry wines.
Cottage Wines – uses quality fruit from Taranaki and around the country to produce wines by time-honoured traditional methods. Using virtually every fruit and berry imaginable, plus local honey and ginger, Cottage Wines has a fine assortment of wines, wine liqueur, meads, cider and non-alcoholic cordials to sample.
Macadamia Nut Orchard and Factory – a spray-free macadamia orchard where you can see trees growing, nut processing and cracking. Tours are available throughout the unique factory, and morning or afternoon teas available to booked tours.
Taranaki
Egmont National Park – New Zealand’s second-ever national park (designated in 1900), Egmont encircles Mt Taranaki’s base and spans 33,500ha of bush. It includes waterfalls, plunge pools, well defined tramping tracks that take up to five days, and is a utopia for volcano lovers. The mountain itself is around 120,000 years old, and last erupted in 1775.
Cape Egmont Lighthouse – situated on the westerly most point of Taranaki, accessed via Cape Rd, Pungarehu. This reassuring beam is seen for 22 nautical miles on a clear night.
Pukekura Park – This 52ha central city park includes lakes, fountains, waterfalls and towering native trees. Throughout the summer months, the annual TSB Festival of Lights attracts more than 100,000 people to enjoy the illuminated wonderland.
Coastal Walkway – rent a bike or power walk along New Plymouth’s 7km walkway which runs along the New Plymouth city coastline. This walkway has won national architectural and creative spaces awards. Along the way you will pass four beaches, rivers, skating rink, the Aquatic Centre and the 45m kinetic wind wand designed by Len Lye, which dances in the wind in a tribute to tangible motion.
Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust – featuring one of the world’s greatest rhododendron collections, plus more, set in Taranaki rainforest. Set in 320ha of beautiful grounds, the trust was established in 1951 and is open all year round. Pukeiti is a Garden of National Significance in New Zealand, and one of ten that Taranaki boasts.
Taranaki
Arts and Crafts Trail Oakura, Surf Highway 45 – including seven of Taranaki’s best artists, such as designer jeweller Rob Wright, potter/artist Joyce Young, glass designer Richard Landers and jeweller/enameller Sally Laing.
Tawhiti Museum is Taranaki’s premier heritage attraction. Winner of seven separate tourism awards, Tawhiti includes super-realistic life-size figures and scale model displays that are absolutely stunning. This massive project is the work of Nigel Ogle, an ex art teacher who has turned his talents into a passion for innovative display.
Taranaki Pioneer Village, Stratford – unique open-air museum of 50 historic buildings and artefacts of Taranaki’s pioneering days.
WOMAD – this World of Music Arts and Dance festival is held in New Plymouth every two years (next March 2007), transforming Brooklands Park and Bowl into an international kaleidoscope of song, movement and colour.
Parihaka Peace Festival – held annually, this music and food festival celebrates the huge significance that Parihaka Pa in Pungarehu holds within the international peace movement both historically and in the future.
Taranaki Aviation Transport and Technology Museum – a fascinating collection of things farming, trades, domestic, printing, post office memorabilia, fire engines and aircraft.
Beach & Coastal Encounters
Taranaki
The Three Sisters and Elephant Rock – located at Tongaporutu, the Three Sisters (now two, due to tidal erosion) are 25m pinnacles rising up from the beach, accompanied by Elephant Rock. Closeby are old Maori rock carvings in hidden caves, and the Three Sisters forms the start of the Whitecliffs Walkway.
The Gairloch wreck – came to grief on the coastline south of New Plymouth in 1903. This wreck can still be seen north of Oakura on State Highway 45.
Paritutu Rock – the remnant of a volcanic plug that dates to around 1.75 million years ago, this prominent New Plymouth landmark is adjacent to the Sugar Loaf Islands marine reserve. The rock can be climbed relatively easily by the moderately fit, and offers great views of the region.
Taranaki
Sugar Loaf seal colony – join Dave Chadfield from Chaddy’s Charters on a trip around the Sugar Loaf Islands marine area to see the northern-most seal colony in New Zealand.
Pouakai Zoo is the largest privately owned primate collection in New Zealand. It offers close-up interaction with exotic animals and birds, and lovely bush walks.
Brooklands Park and Zoo – first established in 1843, this park has been developed into a large formal landscaped plateau of estate gardens surrounded by native bush. The adjacent zoo is a favourite with children, including a modern free-flight full of tropical birds, farmyard, otters and monkeys.
Stoney Oaks Zoo – a unique wildlife park that brings people and animals together. Tickle a pig’s tummy, hand-feed opossums, sit on a cow, cuddle deer, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Home to McGillie – a Highland beast and mascot of the Taranaki rugby team.