Taranaki
Egmont
Park
National
Park Stratford Stratford Ōpunake ABOVE: Ōpunake Beach © Adobe Stock RIGHT: Ōpunake Playground © Venture Taranaki LOWER RIGHT: Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki © Richard Wotton BELOW: Tāwhiti Museum and Traders & Whalers © Venture Taranaki
ŌPUNAKE BEACH In summer, the family-friendly beach is surf patrolled, offering beachfront camping, satisfying surfing and a community-centric vibe. The population swells every January for the annual beach carnival.
National ŌPUNAKE LOOP TRACK A 7km one-way walk with several access points. Explore Ōpunake Lake, the secret garden that has been planted by members of the community, coastal cliff lookouts, a historic pā and the Old Armed Constabulary Cemetery.
LAVENDER Stroll around ark PPIHAMA this boutique lavender farm and breathe in heavenly aromas. Lavender is harvested in the distillery room with a shop and gallery open every Saturday and Sunday. A monthly market is held on the third Sunday of the month.
ord THEATRE A refined StratfEVERYBODY’S and historic cinema which has been
ŌPUNAKE LAKE Quiet and peaceful, except for the chattering birds, walk the perimeter in 30 minutes, jump in for a swim and soak up surrounding mountain views.
restored to its 1920s glory. A novel experience with a selection of retro sofas to sink into.
Ōpunake
Ōpunake Hāwera
Hāwera
Hāwera Pātea Tāwhiti Museum and Traders & Whalers With the help of Weta
Pātea
Workshop, life-size displays and model figures depict New Zealand’s early history. From flying cannon balls to recreated pā battles, it’s one of the country’s best museums and a guaranteed great day out.
Pātea
Elvis Presley Museum A fascinating place housing rare records and memorabilia. Open by appointment only.
Giant Cow In keeping with our need to display really large things, Hāwera is home to the biggest dairy plant in the southern hemisphere, and celebrates this with a ginormous cow.
Hāwera Water Tower Climb to the top for excellent views. Various signatures have been left by visitors and some even date back to early last century. Most charming are those declaring love. Visitors will need to call into the Hāwera i-SITE to gain access.
King Edward Park With a lake for model boats, play area,
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pirate ship and fort, as well as an observatory and enclosed gardens. The Victorian-style lamp posts are delightful, as is the statue of Wendy – counterpart to Peter Pan in London’s Kensington Garden.
Yarrows Family Baker Dubbed the Bread Capital of the World, Yarrows’ flagship factory in Manaia ensures the entire town smells scrumptious, while the on-site bakery fills hungry tums. A 10-minute drive from Hāwera.
LIFE-SIZE WAKA The life-sized representation of the Aotea Waka with several ancestors of Ngāti Ruanui and Ngā Rauru iwi was first unveiled on Pātea’s main street in 1933. Local artist, Luther Ashford repainted the iconic sculpture in 2020. PĀTEA RIVER HISTORIC WALKWAY Tracing the lower end of Pātea River all the way to Pātea Beach, story-telling panels by award-winning botanical artist Audrey Eagle pepper the route. AOTEA UTANGANUI – MUSEUM OF SOUTH TARANAKI A fantastic way to learn about the region’s history, the museum in Pātea is beautifully set out, with modern displays, a theatre and striking facade.
Lysaght Watt Gallery Treat yourself to an art feast at this bright and modern art space. With such a gorgeous exterior, the doorway alone compels passers-by to step inside.
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