2 minute read
Stratford Must Do's
THE STRATFORD GLOCKENSPIEL Check out the figures of Romeo and Juliet when they pop out to perform a scene from Shakespeare’s tragedy at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm daily.
TARANAKI PIONEER VILLAGE Appreciate the life of early settlers by stepping inside the recreated heritage buildings; ride the ‘Pioneer Express’ train around the village. Open weekends.
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HOLLARD GARDENS Learn how to grow your own food at Bernie’s Home Garden, enjoy the use of free barbecues in the Family Corner and drop by The Hollard Centre to use the gardening library and to help yourself to a free cuppa.
TE POPO GARDENS Seventeen minutes from Stratford, picturesque woodland walkways are freckled with animal sculptures; suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
ROTOKARE SCENIC RESERVE Explore stunning wetland and lowland forest, home to native flora and endangered wildlife and serving as a safe haven for kiwi.
ROTOKARE AND ROTORANGI LAKES Meander along the various tracks around these lakes. It’s a 20-minute drive from Stratford to Lake Rotokare, a one-hour drive to Lake Rotorangi.
TANGAHOE TUNNEL Close to Lake Rotorangi, this tunnel is 160m-long and narrow, requiring a fair amount of courage to creep through.
PERCY THOMSON GALLERY A captivating gallery and shop supporting local artists.
ELTHAM MURALS There is hardly a wall left in Eltham that hasn’t been transformed into a bright, uplifting mural. Ten minutes from Stratford.
FENTON ST ARTS COLLECTIVE Step inside this elegant heritage building and find an emporium of emporium of fascinating art, superb gin tasting, unique gifts, and excellent food and coffee.
THE FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY Weaving between Stratford and Taumarunui is a remote and highly intriguing, 150km route with a creaky, single lane mountain tunnel and concertinaed landscape. Unforgettable.
REPUBLIC OF WHANGAMŌMONA Thirty-five years ago this quirky township centred around the Whangamōmona Hotel, declared itself a republic and elected a goat as its president.
FORGOTTEN WORLD ADVENTURES While based in Taumarunui, this unique rail cart experience is an alternative way to enter Taranaki. The tours utilise converted golf buggies which have been transformed into leisurely vehicles that ride the original railway track between Taumarunui and Stratford.
