TARANAKI GARDENS
There are many gardens available for you to visit within the Taranaki region, all with a mixture of intimate gardens, hidden paths, lush lawns, swamp gardens, events pavilions, children's play area's, barbecue areas and gazebo's.
There is no charge for you to enjoy these showcases of horticulture. Some of the Gardens you can view consist of:
Hollard Gardens - the achievement of a lifetime's work by Bernie and Rose Hollard, a monument to patience and horticultural skill - 1686 Upper Manaia Road, Kaponga.
Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust - New Zealands Largest collection of Rhododendron's as well as native and exotic plantings - 2290 Carrington Road R D 4 New Plymouth.Tupare Garden and Chapman-Taylor home - a beautifully restored garden sculptured from a hillside overlooking the Waiwhakaiho River - 487 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth.
Anderson's Alpine Lodge Native Garden - visitors by prior arrangement and owned by the Anderson Family this native garden is an abundant exhibition of New Zealands Native Forest.922 Pembroke Road RD 21 Stratford, 06 765 6620.
Church Gardens - ten acres of beauty nestled under the Kaitake ranges, Church Gardens is part of the National Park surrounding Mount Taranaki - 1403 South Road (Surf Highway 45), Oakura. +64 6 752 7597
Te Kainga Marire - is a private native garden sanctuary rated as a Garden of International Significance. Enjoy a guided ‘Interactive Sensory Experience’ tour with the knowledgeable owners (Bookings required) - 06 758 869315, Spencer Place, New Plymouth.
photo courtesy of Taranaki Regional Council
BOARS HEAD MINE WALK - Oakura
Explore Taranaki's own prospector mine shafts dug over 100 years ago in to the Kaitake Ranges in Egmont National Park.
You'll need a torch to explore these tunnels.
Location: Egmont National Park. Upper Weld Rd, Oakura
Hours: 1 hr 30 min return
Price: free
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/taranaki/taranaki/kaitake-range-walking-tracks/
Photo courtesy of New Plymouth District Council
ARAHEKE BUSH WALK - New Plymouth
Located only 3km south of New Plymouth on SH 3 here you can take a swim in the river, picnic on the riverbank or walk alongside the Waiwhakaiho River as well as through a stand of regenerating lowland forest.
Location: Drive 3km south on SH3 and look for a sign on your right.
Hours: 45 min
Price: free
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/taranaki/taranaki/meeting-of-the-waters-short-walks/
AMBURY MONUMENT WALK - North Egmont
Past the Camphouse along the board walk you'll find a track that leads to the Ambury Monument, a memorial to climber Arthur Ambury. Here you'll find a grassy picnic spot which has views of Mt Taranaki.
Time: 10 min one way.
Location: Start at North Egmont Visitor Centre, follow the boardwalk past the Camphouse.
Price: free
Hours: 0.10
WHITECLIFFS WALKWAY - North of Urenui
Whitecliffs Walkway is a scenic walk across northern Taranaki’s sheer cliffs and bluffs, the track climbs through tawa forest up a steep ridge to the summit of Mt Messenger (310m). It then continues along the ridge through tawheowheo and kamahi forest.
Important notice: Whitecliffs Walkway is closed from 1 July to 30 September because of lambing on private land.
Location; begins at the Pukearuhe boat ramp, located at the end of Pukearuhe Road, north of Urenui
Price: Free
Hours: 5 hrs
Web: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/taranaki/taranaki/whitecliffs-walkway/
photo courtesy of Taranaki District Council
TARANAKI AVIATION TRANSPORT & TECHNOLOGY
MUSEUM INC. - New Plymouth
The Museum houses a vast collection of ramshackle agricultural machinery, printing machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment, maritime machinery and military equipment.
Location: Corner of Kent Road & State Highway 3, New Plymouth (opposite Lake Mangamahoe)
Hours: 10.30am to 4.30pm Saturday, Sunday, School and Public holidays.
Other times on request.
Price: Adults $7.00 Children (under 15) $2.00 Family $16.00
PERCY THOMSON GALLERY - Stratford
The Percy Thomson Gallery hosts a range of national, regional and local art which alter frequently.
Built in 2002 the Percy Thomson Gallery is a Community Asset which inspires, educates and stimulates.
Location: Prospero Place, Miranda Street, Stratford
Hours: 10am till 5pm
Price: free, exhibits may have a fee
photo courtesy of New Plymouth District Council
BROOKLANDS ZOO - New Plymouth
A Family focused zoo, Brooklands Zoo consists of farmyard animals, meerkats, capuchin and cotton-top tamarin monkeys, oriental small-clawed otters and a selection of colourful birds housed inside a free-flight avery which you can walk through.
Location: Brooklands Drive, New Plymouth
Price: Free
Hours: 9am to 5pm 7 days a week.
Web: http://www.newplymouthnz.com/OurDistrict/Attractions/BrooklandsZoo/
photo courtesy of New Plymouth District Council
GOVETT BREWSTER ART GALLERY
- New Plymouth
A Contemporary Art Gallery, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery aims to maintain and develop contemporary art collections delivering diverse exhibitions and events to the public.
Definitely worth a look, the gallery has a modern appeal and a variety of exhibitions on display which will keep you entertained for hours.
Location: 42 Queen St, New Plymouth.
Hours: closed for earthquake repair till 2015
Price: free, some exhibitions may cost
photo courtesy of Taranaki District Council
CAPE EGMONT LIGHTHOUSE - Cape Egmont
Erected in 1877 at Cape Egmont and shone first in August 1881. The light was intially constructed on Mana Island in 1865 but moved to Cape Egmont due to confusions with the Pencarrow light.
Cape Egmont Lighthouse is accessible to the public to view from the outside, there is no public access to enter. You can reach it on foot from the end of Cape Road.
Location: Cape Road, 50 kilometres south west of New Plymouth
Hours: 24
Price: free
New Plymouth, Hawera, Patea, Eltham, Opunake, Stratford, Inglewood, Waitara
Taranaki Sights
Taranaki’s diverse natural landscape offers endless opportunities
for activity.
The consistent waves on the west coast rival the world's best providing a natural playground for surfers. On Surf Highway 45 you'll find surf breaks ranging from sandy beaches to rocky points with the geography providing constant surfing opportunities.
In Egmont National Park you'll find Mt Taranaki with many walks and alpine treks. The walking tracks available at the Kamahi track affords an easy 10-minute nature walk, for those who wish the long trek there is the Poukai circuit which offers a three-day trek around the mountain. Of these the most popular hike on the mountain is the Poukai which offers coastal views that will amaze. With the use of professional guides there is the opportunity to reach the top of Mt Taranaki.
Taranaki has a rich heritage which has inspired many museums and collections. Here you'll find the significant Puke Ariki, on New Plymouth's waterfront, South Taranaki's Tawhiti Museum, as well as private museums offering many opportunities to discover the fascinating stories of Taranaki.
The north island's Taranaki region offers a vibrant visual arts scene of which the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is at the centre. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery presents the latest national and international contemporary art as of 1970. One collection is of pioneering Kiwi film-maker and artist Len Lye - his 45m Wind Wand takes centre stage on the coastal walkway of New Plymouth.
Taranaki 's acclaimed gardens have earned it national and international significance. Rhododendrons thrive in the Taranaki climate and the annual Rhododendron and Garden Festival showcases this with its international event. Sights and activities a plenty, Taranaki offers a rural blend of adventurism and culture.
"The Taranaki region offers a vibrant visual arts scene of which the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is at the centre."
