10 minute read
ROAD TRIP - Awakino to Whanganui
Awakino to New Plymouth via Inglewood, Stratford, Egmont Village on SH 3 to New Plymouth 2hr, 154km
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Hāwera to Whanganui via SH 3 1hr 8min, 89km
SIDE TRIP - Stratford to Whangamōmona via SH 43 57min, 61.6km
This road trip explores the wild coast of the North Taranaki Bight, takes a short detour inland, heads to New Plymouth then continues down the line to Whanganui. From Awakino you’ll pass rugged black-sand beaches with rolling surf and experience the charm of small coastal towns and bucolic landscapes, before turning inland to Inglewood, gateway to Taranaki’s Egmont National Park. After time in super cool New Plymouth and lovely little Stratford, head south by the curve of coast that wraps around the famous mountain. It’s known as the Surf Highway for good reason – almost every side road that heads towards the coast leads to an excellent, uncrowded surf break. Explore Hāwera, a country town of many attractions, then head to Whanganui, another New Zealand city blessed with mountain-to-sea landscapes.
Festival of Lights, New Plymouth
© Mark Harris
HIGHLIGHTS
WAITARA is the site of an original Māori settlement. Look out for the Manukorihi Pā and magnificent carved meeting house.
EGMONT NATIONAL PARK In Taranaki, the mountain is like a beacon drawing you in – an ever-present part of the landscape. Egmont National Park surrounds the 2518m-high symmetrical peak in almost a perfect circle. The park boasts more than 200km of trails, ranging from short walks to multi-day hikes around the mountain.
PUKEKURA PARK Flush with plants and water features, lush ferns in the Fernery and Display Houses. Rentable rowing boats, fantastic playground, a popular café plus the Teahouse on the Lake.
LEN LYE CENTRE The Len Lye Centre next to the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is constructed from reflective stainless steel. Inside, Len Lye’s genius creations will impress.
PUKE ARIKI This fully integrated museum, library and visitor information centre is a brilliant place to get a feel for the district’s history and culture.
Puke Ariki Museum exhibition
© Rob Tucker
ŌPUNAKE A popular beach on the southwestern part of Taranaki’s big coastal curve.
COASTAL WALKWAY Highlights along this 12.7km walkway include The Wind Wand, Fitzroy and East End Beaches and the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.
Cycling along the Coastal Walkway, New Plymouth
© Venture Taranaki
URENUI Just north of New Plymouth and a great day trip for black-sand beach walks, the Whitecliffs Walkway and the Urenui Marae: the last grounds of the Ngāti Mutunga.
NEW PLYMOUTH
> Pukeiti
> Len Lye Centre
> Coastal Walkway
> The Wind Wand
> Puke Ariki
> Te Rewa Rewa Bridge
Puke Ariki Museum exhibition
© Rob Tucker
Tucked between the ocean on one side and the symmetrical peak of Mt Taranaki on the other, you’ll be spoilt for scenic vistas in New Plymouth.
The city is famous for its nationally significant art, both indoors at the remarkable Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and its playful counterpart the Len Lye Centre, and outside where you’ll find more of Lye’s work including the famous 45m-high kinetic Wind Wand.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, the Festival of Lights is a free, six-week event held over December and January featuring light installations, music shows and daytime family fun. International music festivals, including WOMAD, have featured on New Plymouth’s calendar for years.
Itch wine bar, New Plymouth
© West End Precinct
HĀWERA
HĀWERA WATER TOWER Built after three devastating fires between 1884 - 1912. Climb to the top for epic views.
ELVIS PRESLEY MUSEUM A fascinating place housing rare records and memorabilia. Open by appointment.
GIANT COW Home to the biggest dairy plant in the southern hemisphere, Hāwera boasts a giant cow statue.
TAWHITI MUSEUM AND TRADERS & WHALERS Life-size displays and model figures depict New Zealand’s early history. A guaranteed great day out.
Tawhiti Museum’s Traders and Whalers
© South Taranaki District Council
EGMONT NATIONAL PARK
Mt Taranaki
© Strategy Collective
VERONICA LOOP TRACK Beginning at the North Egmont Visitor Centre, the Veronica Loop Track is an uphill walk through subalpine rainforest which passes the historic Camphouse and Ambury Monument. For great views, continue for 10 minutes along the Holly Hut Track to reach a popular lookout spot. 3km, 1.5-2hr return.
YORK ROAD LOOP A slightly longer walk, the York Road Loop takes you along the old Egmont Branch Railway Line. Along the way there are many historical sites of interest including railway remnants and the remains of worker cottages.5.3km, 3hr return.
EAST EGMONT TRACKS Atthe eastern edge of Egmont National Park there are two barrier-free short walks – the Potaema Track and the East Egmont Lookout – suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Explore the forest from well maintained boardwalks. Both 30min return.
GOBLIN FOREST One of Egmont National Park’s most popular short walks, the Kāmahi Loop Track – also known as the Goblin Forest – is a testament to the region’s high rainfall. Twisted kāmahi trees covered in moss and lichens line the easy track that winds through seriously photogenic native rainforest. 600m, 15- 30min return.
DAWSON FALLS The 18-metre-high Dawson Fallsis one of the most impressive and easily accessed waterfalls in Taranaki. The falls were named for Thomas Dawson, the first European to discover them in 1885, although Māori know them as Te Rere o Noke or the Falls of Noke, a Māori warrior who once hid from his pursuers here. A 10min walk from the Dawson Falls Visitor Centre.
Dawson Falls at night
© Ra Auld
WHANGANUI
The mighty Whanganui River, so synonymous with the town, is our nation’s longest navigable river.
Whanganui is a thriving hub of creativity and can now add ‘UNESCO City of Design’ to its list of accolades. Home to the New Zealand Glassworks, the public Sarjeant Gallery, and many creative residents crafting beautiful wares in studios and galleries from the banks of the river to the wild coast.
In the town centre you’ll find Drews Avenue, an area regenerated to earn itself an ‘Agent for Change’ Award. Street art is taking off here and you’ll find masterpieces waiting for you to discover. If you have the family in tow, Kowhai Park is a must-do. The playground’s slides and climbing frames are big, bold and fantastically unconventional.
Bearing, Whanganui
© Discover Whanganui
FAMILY FUN
FUN HO! NATIONAL TOY MUSEUM Fun Ho! Toys havebeen produced in Inglewood by Underwood Engineering Co since the 1930s. Visit the museum to admire a range of classic toys alongside interactive displays and manufacturing viewing areas.
STONEY OAKS Come and brush a hairy Highland cow. Home to pigs, deer, giant rabbits, llamas and more, there are also bush walks and rowing boats. Ten minutes from Inglewood.
BROOKLANDS ZOO This happy and friendly zoo in New Plymouth is free to visit! Check out their adorable gathering of exotic mammals, farmyard animals, reptiles and colourful birds. Follow the trail and quiz to enrich your experience.
WHANGANUI RIVER CRUISES The Waimarie boat is an icon of Whanganui and the only coal-fired paddle steamer still operating in Aotearoa. Alternatively, the MV Wairua glides along the Whanganui River with cruises detailing the history of earlyriver travel.
KING EDWARD PARK, HĀWERA With a lake for model boats, play area, pirate ship and fort, as well as an observatory and gardens. Kids love the statue of Wendy – counterpart to Peter Pan in London’s Kensington Garden.
DURIE HILL ELEVATOR Burrowed 213m into hillside, take a 1919 elevator 65.8m to the summit. At the top, 176 steps lead to the War Memorial Tower with impressive views.
MABLE THE TRAM Enjoy a 10-minute outing aboard Mable the vintage electric tram.
Brooklands Zoo, New Plymouth
© Rob Tucker
GARDENS GALORE
Taranaki has long been known as the ‘Garden of New Zealand’, since the first European settlers arrived in the region. From July onwards, the vibrant rhododendrons Taranaki is known for explode with colour.
TE KĀINGA MĀRIRE Touted as ‘New Zealand’s Native Garden’, Te Kāinga Mārire is a garden of international significance, celebrating our native and endemic plant species, developed to highlight the historic, cultural and ecological importance of the site.
TŪPARE Set on the hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River, Tūpare features beautifully landscaped grounds and the historic Chapman-Taylor homestead, where there are free tours and high tea.
PUKEKURA PARK Often described as the jewel in New Plymouth’s crown, this is one of New Zealand’s premier botanic gardens. Flush with plants and water features; lush ferns in Fernery and Display Houses; rentable rowing boats, a fantastic playground and popular café, Teahouse on the Lake.
NGAMAMAKU GARDEN Nestled below the Kaitake Range adjacent to Egmont National Park, the three acres of native bush and formal gardens include a zen-like Japanese Garden.
TARANAKI GARDEN FESTIVAL The Taranaki Garden Festival and Taranaki Arts Trail have combined to feature both the area’s most impressive gardens and coveted artists. Meet creatives working in their studios and explore a fantastic collection of open gardens. The festival is held every October to November.
TE POPO GARDENS Glorious gardens, stunning sculptures and a brilliant suspension bridge with wisteria, this national garden of significance is unmissable.
PUKEITI This 360ha property is 23km from New Plymouth and has free entry. From July onwards, make the most of Pukeiti’s famed rhododendrons when 1250- plus varietes come into bloom.
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
© Rob Tucker
SIDE TRIP - WHANGAMŌMONA
FORGOTTEN WORLD HIGHWAY Just off SH 1, take a detour along SH 43 to discover the Forgotten World Highway, which runs from Stratford to Taumarunui, and explore the quirky township of Whangamōmona.
The route takes you through rugged, beautiful and remote countryside with untouched native bush, winding roads and pastoral landscapes.
The small, sleepy township of Whangamōmona declared itself a republic in 1989, when a local bureaucrat decided the town would no longer be part of Taranaki, as it had always historically been. Whangamōmona objected, declared itself independent from the rest of New Zealand and elected a goat as president. A poodle and turtle have also run for office, with only two humans ever making the cut. Elections take place every Republic Day, when the town erupts with a jovial fete. If you miss the election festivities (held biennially in January), you can always pop into Whangamōmona Hotel for a taste of local hospitality – and to get your passport stamped for a few dollars.
Matau outlook, Forgotten World Highway
© Rob Tucker
