Taranaki

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DISCOVER THE BEST OF TARANKI

Many tourists travel to Taranki to scale the enormous stratovolcano, Mount Taranaki, after which the region is named, however there are many more sights to see and excitement to experience. The main city is New Plymouth which, as a coastal city, is one of the few places that you can travel from to snowboard, ski and surf on the beach in the same day. Notable attractions are the many botanic gardens like Pukekura Park, the 11 kilometre Coastal Walkway alongside the Tasman Sea, the ‘Wind Ward’, a 45 metre tall piece of art, and Paritutu Rock.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REGION

  • Mount Taranaki – This stratovolcano, also known as Mount Egmont, can be found in the West of the region and is encompassed in the Egmont National Park. The mountain is the second highest in New Zealand, standing at 2518 metres. It also has a secondary cone on the south side known as Fanthams Peak that is 1966 metres to its peak. It is one of the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world. Although technically dormant, cone collapses have presented hazards in the past. According to Maori myth, Taranaki once resided in the middle of the North Island and moved to its current position following a dispute with another mountain, leaving valleys and gorges in its wake. For the average person, Taranaki would be considered a moderate mountain to climb. It takes a person with good fitness level a day to make the climb and then the return journey and the summit is accessible via three routes. The Stratford Mountain Club operates the Manganui skiing section on the eastern slope and the Taranaki Alpine Club maintains Tahurangi Lodge on the north slope of the mountain. You can also arrange for a flight over the National Park.
  • Sugar Loaf Islands Conservation Park – The Park encompasses a collection of five small uninhabited eroded volcanic formations and several ‘sea-stacks’ off the coast of New Plymouth. Moturoa Island is the largest and covers approximately 1.4 hectares. Amongst and below these islands are unbelievable boulder reefs, canyons and expanses of sand of which many are explorable. Captain Cook so named the islands having taken inspiration from the sugar loaf lumps that he had with his tea. Turns out that the ‘sugar’ is actually bird guano! The waters around the islands are home to over 100 species of fish and other marine invertebrates. Seals and oceanic seabirds breed here and dolphins and whales regularly pass through. The islands, both above and below water, have been protected since 1986 and the Sugar Loaf Islands Marine Protected Area, or SLIMPA, was established to stop oil exploration.
  • Milford Track – Regarded as New Zealand’s most famous walk, the 53 kilometre journey begins at the head of Lake Te Anau and leads you across bridges, board walks and a mountain pass. The Milford Track offers views of pristine lakes, mountain peaks and valleys, leading to Sutherland Falls, the tallest waterfall in New Zealand.
  • Puke Ariki – This facility holds exhibitions that are designed to be both entertaining and educational. There are five gallery spaces to explore – ‘Taranaki Naturally’, ‘Taranaki Life’, the ‘Taranaki Experience’, the ‘Te Takapou Whariki o Taranaki’ and the ‘Temporary Exhibitions Gallery’. Collectively, the galleries celebrate the uniqueness of Taranaki with highlights including a real life walkthrough cow shed, a glass forest displaying the region’s plants and animals and a captivating 12 minute multimedia theatre show. Admission is free, although there may be a charge for special exhibitions. The information centre at Puke Ariki offers a full range of brochures, advice and information for visitors. The centre can even handle and arrange bookings for local accommodation, transportation, events and attractions.
  • ‘Fun Ho!’ National Toy Museum – This unique museum exhibits all models that were produced between 1935 and 1982 when Underwood Engineering Co. were producing toys. There are many interactive and fun activities here, all toy related of course, from slot cars to production machinery. The company made toys from raw aluminium ingot, cast in the onsite foundry using original moulding and finishing processes. Fun-Ho! Toys regularly make toys to sell alongside their older models in the shop and online. If the toy-maker is in-house, you are invited to watch him work.

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Taranki also sees the most sunlight hours, on average, across the whole of New Zealand and experiences a temperate climate making it perfect for outdoor pursuits. The towns form a strong region of productivity from agriculture to oil, and each has their own character and charm. Popular festivals in New Plymouth include the annual TSB Bank Festival of Lights, the Taranaki Powerco Garden Spectacular and the biennial Taranaki Arts Festival.

POPULAR ACTIVITIES

  • Pay a visit to one of the last working lighthouses in New Zealand, the Cape Egmont lighthouse.
  • Taranaki boasts 19 other golf courses each with their own unique natural hazards and a guaranteed view of the mountain. The region’s top course is Ngamotu Links, home of the New Plymouth Golf Club.
  • At the eastern end of New Plymouth’s harbour is Paritutu Rock. There is a track to the top of the volcanic rock and the views are spectacular across the harbour, city coastline and the Sugar Loaf Islands.
  • The waves in Taranaki make it one of New Zealand’s best surfing regions.
  • Walk New Plymouth’s coastal walkway past sculptures, beaches and the iconic Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.
  • Visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, a contemporary art museum, and the Maori/European heritage Tawhiti Museum to discover more about New Zealand’s culture.
  • There are countless public gardens on view, exhibited in regional festivals, competitions and events, with the Powerco Garden Spectacular being the best known.

A collection of our special photos from around Taranki

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